Investing.com - Asian stocks rose Wednesday on expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will announce later during the day plans to stimulate the economy via easing measures.
Agreement among G20 leaders to do more to support the global economy also pushed up equities in Asian markets.
During Asian trading on Wednesday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 0.35%, Australia's S&P/ASX200 was up 0.53%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index was up 0.72%.
The Federal Reserve is holding a two-day monetary policy meeting and talk is growing the U.S. central bank will take measures to bolster the economy either through outright bond purchases from banks, known as quantitative easing, or by extending a $400 billion program shuffling its Treasury holdings, known as Operation Twist.
Under Operation Twist, the Fed sells short-dated Treasury instruments and buys longer-dated Treasurys in tandem with the aim of pushing down long-term interest rates.
Unlike quantitative easing, Operation Twist does not expand the Fed's balance sheet and fuel as many inflationary fears, yet both easing measures tend to send stocks rising.
Meanwhile a G20 summit wrapped with pledges for increased global support to find an end to the European debt crisis and bolster regulatory oversight.
"Euro Area members of the G20 will take all necessary policy measures to safeguard the integrity and stability of the area, improve the functioning of financial markets and break the feedback loop between sovereigns and banks," the group of nations said in a communiqué.
"We look forward to the Euro Area working in partnership with the next Greek government to ensure they remain on the path to reform and sustainability within the Euro Area."
In Hong Kong, top gainers included CHACLO, up 2.41%, HSBC Holdings, up 2.02%, and CITIC Pacific, up 1.79%.
In Australia, top gainers included Bluescope Steel, up 8.20%, Energy Resources of Australia, up 7.81%, and Cudeco Limited, up 6.80%.
European stock futures indicated a mixed opening.
France's CAC 40 futures pointed to a loss of 0.18%, while Germany's DAX 30 futures signaled a loss of 0.15%. Meanwhile, in the U.K., the FTSE 100 futures indicated a gain of 0.04%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.15% while the S&P 500 futures were down 0.17%.
Later Wednesday, the Federal Reserve will announce its decision on the direction of benchmark interest rates and economic projections, including possible moves to stimulate the economy.
The data is to be followed by a press conference with Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to discuss the monetary policy decision.
Agreement among G20 leaders to do more to support the global economy also pushed up equities in Asian markets.
During Asian trading on Wednesday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 0.35%, Australia's S&P/ASX200 was up 0.53%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index was up 0.72%.
The Federal Reserve is holding a two-day monetary policy meeting and talk is growing the U.S. central bank will take measures to bolster the economy either through outright bond purchases from banks, known as quantitative easing, or by extending a $400 billion program shuffling its Treasury holdings, known as Operation Twist.
Under Operation Twist, the Fed sells short-dated Treasury instruments and buys longer-dated Treasurys in tandem with the aim of pushing down long-term interest rates.
Unlike quantitative easing, Operation Twist does not expand the Fed's balance sheet and fuel as many inflationary fears, yet both easing measures tend to send stocks rising.
Meanwhile a G20 summit wrapped with pledges for increased global support to find an end to the European debt crisis and bolster regulatory oversight.
"Euro Area members of the G20 will take all necessary policy measures to safeguard the integrity and stability of the area, improve the functioning of financial markets and break the feedback loop between sovereigns and banks," the group of nations said in a communiqué.
"We look forward to the Euro Area working in partnership with the next Greek government to ensure they remain on the path to reform and sustainability within the Euro Area."
In Hong Kong, top gainers included CHACLO, up 2.41%, HSBC Holdings, up 2.02%, and CITIC Pacific, up 1.79%.
In Australia, top gainers included Bluescope Steel, up 8.20%, Energy Resources of Australia, up 7.81%, and Cudeco Limited, up 6.80%.
European stock futures indicated a mixed opening.
France's CAC 40 futures pointed to a loss of 0.18%, while Germany's DAX 30 futures signaled a loss of 0.15%. Meanwhile, in the U.K., the FTSE 100 futures indicated a gain of 0.04%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.15% while the S&P 500 futures were down 0.17%.
Later Wednesday, the Federal Reserve will announce its decision on the direction of benchmark interest rates and economic projections, including possible moves to stimulate the economy.
The data is to be followed by a press conference with Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to discuss the monetary policy decision.