Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark gauge heading for the biggest monthly gain this year, as companies including BYD Co. and Japan Tobacco Inc. forecast profit increases. The Bank of Japan reiterated a pledge to double the country's monetary base in two years.

Nikkei 225 13,884.13 -41.95 -0.30%

S&P/ASX 200 5,097.5 -4.93 -0.10%

Shanghai Composite 2,184.86 -14.44 -0.66%

BYD, the Chinese automaker partially owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc., jumped 11 percent in Hong Kong after saying first-half earnings will surge.

Japan Tobacco, the world's best-performing cigarette maker this year, climbed 3.3 percent after increasing its dividend and forecasting a record profit.

Shiseido Co., Japan's biggest cosmetics maker, slumped 9.6 percent after cutting its dividend.