Asian shares mixed in quiet trading ahead of US Fed decision

Asian shares are mixed in quiet trading ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting that may yield clues on what lies ahead with its massive support for markets

TOKYO -- Asian shares were mixed in quiet trading Wednesday ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting that may give clues on what lies ahead with its massive support for markets. Japan released data that showed its trade surplus jumped 49.6% in May from the previous year, but analysts said that was less than expected and highlights how the world's third largest economy and its exports may be only slowly recovering from the pandemic. Investors are also watching data out of China on industrial production and retail sales for indications about the health of the regional economy. Japan's Nikkei 225 slipped 0.5% in afternoon trading to 29,291.86. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.7% to 3,280.45. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained nearly 0.1% to 7,386.20. Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.4% to 28,522.99, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.9% to 3,524.76.