Asian shares are mixed ahead of Fed interest rate decision

Market Overview - Asian shares are mixed as investors remain cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision this week [1] - U.S. futures and oil prices have risen, but tensions between Japan and China are affecting market sentiment [2] Japan's Economic Situation - Japan's Nikkei 225 index decreased by 0.2% to 50,581.94 after revised data showed the economy contracted at an annual rate of 2.3% for July-September, worse than the previously reported 1.8% [3] - Japanese exports have been negatively impacted by U.S. tariffs, and public investments have declined [3] Chinese Market Performance - Chinese markets showed mixed results, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng falling by 0.9% to 25,841.21, while the Shanghai Composite index increased by 0.6% to 3,926.47 [4] - China's global exports rose by 5.9% in November year-on-year, surpassing $1 trillion for the year, although exports to the U.S. fell by 29% [4] Other Asian Markets - South Korea's Kospi rose by 1.3% to 4,154.85, and Taiwan's benchmark increased by 1.2% [5] - In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 decreased by 0.1% to 8,624.40 [5] U.S. Market Highlights - The S&P 500 increased by 0.2% to 6,870.40, just below its record closing level from October [5] - Ulta Beauty's stock surged by 12.7% after reporting stronger-than-expected profits and revenue [6] - Warner Bros. Discovery's shares rose by 6.3% following Netflix's announcement of a $72 billion acquisition deal [7] Federal Reserve Interest Rate Expectations - Market attention is focused on the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision, with expectations of a potential cut to support the slowing U.S. job market [8] - Lower interest rates could boost investment prices but may exacerbate inflation, which remains above the Fed's 2% target [9] Consumer Inflation Expectations - U.S. consumers have lowered their inflation expectations to 4.1% for the coming year, down from 4.5% last month, marking the lowest forecast since January [10] Oil Prices - U.S. benchmark crude oil increased by 14 cents to $60.22 per barrel, while Brent crude rose by 11 cents to $63.86 per barrel [11]