Dhaka, Jan. 27 -- Asian stocks rose on Friday and were poised for their fifth straight week of gains after data highlighted a resilient US economy, boosting investor sentiment ahead of next week's slate of central bank policy meetings, Reuters reports.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose as much as 0.55 per cent to hit an almost nine-month high of 562.10, and was last at 559.39.

The index, which fell nearly 20 per cent last year, is up nearly 11 per cent so far this month and is on course for its best-ever January performance. Japan's Nikkei rose 0.05 per cent.

European stock futures indicated that stocks were set to rise, with the Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.3 per cent, German DAX futures 0.28 per cent ahead...