Stock market today: Asian shares mixed as investors await Fed policy decision, price data

Shares were mixed in Asia on Monday after the S&P 500 logged its fourth winning week in a row, while investors await another decision by the Federal Reserve on interest rates.

Shares were mixed in Asia on Monday after the S&P 500 logged its fourth winning week in a row, while investors await another decision by the Federal Reserve on interest rates.

U.S. futures gained while oil prices were lower.

Many observers expect no change in rates given recent data suggesting the U.S. economy is slowing. This week also brings price data that might indicate whether the Fed is succeeding in snuffing inflation.

Friday also will bring a policy meeting of the Bank of Japan, which has refrained from making any major changes to its minus 0.1% benchmark interest rate despite rising prices, citing a need to wait and see if the inflation is sustained.

Tokyo's benchmark NIkkei 225 added 0.5% to 32,434.00, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong was nearly unchanged at 19,398.75. In Seoul, the Kospi declined 0.5% to 2,629.35. India's Sensex edged 0.1% higher to 62,693.89.

The Shanghai Composite index slipped 0.1% to 3,228.72. Shares rose in Taiwan and India but fell in Bangkok. Australian markets were closed for a holiday.

Stocks inched higher Friday to close out a listless week for Wall Street, though the S&P 500 rose 0.1%, to 4,298.86, capping its fourth straight winning week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1% to 33,876.78, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.2% to 13,259.14.