Stock market today: Asia markets mixed ahead of Fed decision; China economic data disappoint

Asian stocks are mixed as markets await a decision on interest rates by the Federal Reserve

HONG KONG -- Asian stocks were mixed Wednesday as markets awaited a decision on interest rates by the Federal Reserve, while China reported manufacturing contracted in January for a fourth straight month.

U.S. futures and oil prices declined.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.6% to 36,286.71.

South Korea’s Kospi shed 0.1% to 2,497.09 after Samsung Electronics reported reported an annual 34% decline in operating profit for the last quarter.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng sank 1.6% to 15,460.78, while the Shanghai Composite shed 1.5% to 2,788.55.