Shares in the Asia-Pacific were mostly higher on Wednesday as investors brace for another likely 75-basis-point rate hike by the Federal Reserve.
The Nikkei 225 retreated 15.53 points, or 0.1%, to 27,663.39.
Japanese defense stocks were trading slightly higher with Hosoya Pyro-Engineering up nearly 1%.
Policy board members at the Bank of Japan’s latest meeting agreed that it is appropriate to “persistently continue with its large-scale monetary easing,” according to minutes released Wednesday.
One member said the central bank’s stance of easing should continue even if inflation accelerates in the short run, as long as expectations remain low.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng hiked 371.90 points, or 2.4%, to 15,827.17, following the issuance of a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 8.
Hong Kong-listed Macao gaming stocks gained on for a third day after the visa policy for mainland Chinese residents traveling to Macao was updated.
Wynn Macau rose 7.4%, Galaxy Entertainment shares climbed 4.6%. Sands China shares also rose 6.7%. SJM Holdings shot up 8.7%.
On Monday, China’s immigration bureau said that mainland residents who want to travel to the gaming hub can apply for a visa via an online system starting Nov. 1. The move is expected to increase the number of tourists to Macao.
South Korea’s inflation inched higher to 5.7% in October, higher than 5.6% forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll.
Shares of defense companies Hanwha Aerospace jumped more than 5% in Korea’s morning trade, and Victek climbed more than 7%.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 took on 43.64 points, or 1.2%, to 3,677.81,
In Taiwan, the Taiex gained 62.96 points, or 0.5%, to 13,100.17.
In Korea, the Kospi index nicked ahead 1.65 points, or 0.1%, to 2,336.87.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index added 10.63 points, or 0.3%, to 3,141.13.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 lost 33.85 points, or 0.3%, to 11,282.79.
In Australia, the ASX 200 moved higher 9.8 points, 0.1%, to 6,986.66.
