Asian stock markets drifted in slow trading on Tuesday as investors awaited the outcome of the Federal Reserve's meeting, AP reported. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.1 percent to 19,609.50 but South Korea's Kospi rose 0.8 percent to 2,133.78. Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.2 percent to 23,786.39. The Shanghai Composite Index was flat at 3,234.68. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 also was steady, at 5,759.10. Stocks in Southeast Asia markets were mixed. The dollar rose 114.98 yen from 114.88 yen while the euro slipped to $1.0642 from $1.0653. Benchmark U.S. crude oil shed 3 cents to $48.37 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 9 cents to close at $48.40 a barrel on Monday. Brent crude, which is used to price international oils, lost 2 cents to $51.33 a barrel.
