Both the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan have policy-setting meetings this week
Asian stocks finished mostly higher amid a low-volume session, ahead of key central bank meetings this week. While the U.S. Federal Reserve will
begin its two-day policy-setting meeting tomorrow, traders will also be keeping an eye on the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) decision -- due Friday morning -- for signs of fresh stimulus, although BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda has recently
dismissed chatter of potential "helicopter money."
At the close, China's Shanghai Composite, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, and South Korea's Kospi were each up 0.1%. Japan's Nikkei, meanwhile, settled 0.04% lower, despite a better-than-expected reading on exports. Additionally, Nintendo plunged nearly 18%, after the company said it expects the impact from its hit game
"Pokemon Go" would be limited.
European stock markets are getting a boost from a round of well-received earnings and M&A buzz. Most notably, air carrier Ryanair is jumping in the wake of its quarterly results, while gaming company William Hill is higher amid buyout chatter. At last check, the German DAX is up 0.9% after the German Ifo business climate index fell less than expected, the French CAC 40 is 0.6% higher, and London's FTSE 100 is up 0.03%.
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