Asian stocks higher

Asian stock markets were mostly higher with China a rare bear market on Thursday as investors put their bets that the Federal Reserve would not raise interest rates during this month's closely watched meeting. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 advanced 1.1 per cent to 18,374.50 and South Korea's Kospi gained 0.4 per cent to 1,983.93. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.2 per cent to 22,003.21 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 1.7 per cent to 5,182.80. Markets in Southeast Asia were also higher but Shanghai composite index in mainland China fell 1.1 per cent to 3,117.62. The dollar weakened to 120.37 yen from 120.56 yen and the euro strengthened to $1.1317 from $1.1289, according to AP.

--Shuvo--