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Asian shares slip ahead of Fed decision

Hong Kong - Asian bourses mostly slipped on Tuesday before the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting and as lingering concerns over Chinese and US economic data weighed on global markets.

US stocks finished mixed on Monday, with investors cautious ahead of the Fed's two-day monetary policy meeting that starts later on Tuesday.

The US central bank might adjust its timing for raising benchmark interest rates, as critics say its nearly six-year-old zero rate policy is feeding asset bubbles and possibly inflation.

The Fed has previously said it would keep interest rates low for a "considerable time" after ending its massive stimulus programme, based on continued weakness in the labour market.

A rate increase could hurt Asian markets by making them vulnerable to a selloff, as the incentive for investors to seek higher yields in regional markets is reduced.

Tokyo fell 0.23% to 15 911.53 points and Sydney lost 0.51% to end at 5 445.5 points.

Shanghai sank 1.82% to 2 296.55 points and Hong Kong, which opened only for the afternoon session due to a typhoon, fell 0.91% to end at 24 136.01 points.

However, Seoul added 0.35% to 2 042.92 points.

Official US data released on Monday showed industrial production unexpectedly fell in August by 0.1% after six months of gains, while manufacturing output slipped 0.4%.

Scotland fear weighs on pound

The data added to worries after China reported over the weekend that industrial production stuttered in August, with growth dropping sharply to 6.9%, the slowest pace in more than five years.

The dollar was at ¥107.05 in Asian trade compared with ¥107.18 in New York on Monday afternoon.

The euro bought $1.2943 and ¥138.60 against $1.2940 and ¥138.69 in US trade.

The pound dipped to $1.6181 from $1.6234 in New York as investors keep a nervous eye on Thursday's Scottish independence vote, which could lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom and hammer its economy.

US stocks finished mixed on Monday as the tech-rich Nasdaq dropped 1.07% following a cautious report on Tesla Motors.

The Dow rose 0.26% and the S&P 500 dipped 0.07%.

The Hong Kong stock exchange cancelled its morning trading session as a powerful typhoon swept past the city.

Authorities raised the number-eight typhoon warning, the third in a five-tier system, which shutters schools and businesses, but lowered it around 05:00, allowing the bourse to reopen in the afternoon.

Oil prices were mixed. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery was down 29 cents at $92.63, while Brent crude for November eased 22c to $97.66 in afternoon trade. Brent's October contract expired on Monday at $96.65, its lowest level since June 2012.

Gold was at $1 241.18 an ounce, against $1 234.92 an ounce late on Monday.

In other markets:

- Singapore closed down 1.20% to 3 272.62 points, with agribusiness company Wilmar International falling 0.95% to Sg$3.12 while oil rig maker Keppel eased 1.32% to Sg$10.46.

- Bangkok lost 0.87% to 1 565.41 points. Coal producer Banpu fell 2.40% to 30.50 baht, while supermarket operator Big C Supercenter dropped 4.70% to 223.00 baht.

- Jakarta ended down 0.28% at 5 130.50 points. Bank Negara Indonesia lost 1.33% at 5 575 rupiah, while tobacco company Gudang Garam gained 0.98% at 56 550 rupiah.

- Taipei fell 0.91% to 9 133.4 points as smartphone maker HTC slipped 3.42% to Tw$127.0 and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing 0.81% to Tw$122.5.

- Wellington ended down 0.40% at 5 189.79. Contact Energy fell 1.25% to NZ$5.54 and Spark eased 0.49% to NZ$3.05

- Manila closed 0.27% higher at 7 180.34 points. Philippine Long Distance Telephone added 0.18% to 3 306 pesos, while Puregold Price Club rose 2.97% t to 34.70 pesos.

- Mumbai fell 1.21% to end at 26 492.51 points. GMR Infrastructure slid 10.26% to 22.30 rupees, while Castrol India rose 4.23% to 438.45 rupees.

- Kuala Lumpur was closed for a public holiday.

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