Most Asian indexes closed largely unchanged on Wednesday as investors awaited monetary policy news coming at the conclusion of the U.S. Federal Reserve's two-day meeting.
The Nikkei 225 index added 11.08 points, or 0.1%, to 20,310.46. The U.S. currency was flat against the yen at 111.44.
The Hang Seng Index gained 76.39 points, or 0.3%, to 28,127.40. Casino stocks climbed, with Melco International Development surging 10.6%
Korean markets settled a mite. There were gains in automakers, but tech stocks were mixed and retailers fell: Hyundai Motor closed up 1.4%, Samsung Electronics added 0.2% and Lotte Shopping tumbled 4.6% by the end of the session.
Down Under, markets lost a bit of strength, with the telecommunications services sub-index falling 1.5% Financials were also pressured, with the sub-index edging down 0.3%
In corporate news, Toshiba chose a consortium backed by Bain Capital as the buyer of its memory chip unit. The Japanese conglomerate indicated last week it had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Bain Capital over the sale.
South Korea's SK Hynix is part of the group led by Bain, while Apple and Dell are reportedly also in on the deal. Toshiba's decision came after an earlier Reuters report on Tuesday said the company was favoring a separate group backed by Western Digital.
Toshiba shares closed flat despite trading more than 1.9% higher earlier in the session. SK Hynix ended 1.9% higher following the news.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan will be on the radar as the central bank begins a two-day meeting. It's set to make its interest rate decision on Thursday.
Ahead of the BOJ's decision, the Wednesday release of Japan trade data suggested the economic outlook in the country was healthy. August exports rose 18.1% compared to one year ago. That was above the 14.7% increase forecast in a poll of economists. Japan's trade surplus stood at 113.6 billion yen ($1.92 billion U.S.) — above the 93.9-billion yen forecast.
Investors in Japan are also expecting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to call for a snap election. Abe mentioned that he would make his decision on a vote when he returns on Friday from his trip to the U.S.
The Fed is expected to keep interest rates steady when it announces its rates decision Wednesday U.S. time. Investors, however, awaited details on how the central bank will unwind its $4.5-trillion balance sheet.
In other markets
The CSI 300 moved up 10.32 points, or 0.3%, to 3,842.44
In Taiwan, the Taiex index slid 56.97 points, or 0.5%, to 10,519.17
In Korea, the Kospi index doffed 3.85 points, or 0.2%, to 2,412.20
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index fell 7.88 points, or 0.2%, to 3,218.07
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 improved 54.71 points, or 0.7%, to 7,819.24
In Australia, the ASX 200 dropped 4.49 points, or 0.1% to 5,709.09
