Nikkei Hits Two-Week Low Amid Caution Ahead of Fed Meeting

The Nikkei hit a more than two-week low on Wednesday, September 22nd, as investors cautiously looked to the outcome of the US Federal Reserve meeting for more indications on when to end stimulus and raise interest rates.

The benchmark index closed down 0.67% at 29639.40 points, while the broader TOPIX index fell 1.02% to close at 2043.55 points, which is also the lowest level since the sixth of September.

Nikkei changed course briefly earlier in the day and rose after Hengda Real State Group, the main unit of China’s Evergrande, said it would pay some bond interest maturing on Thursday, allaying fears of an imminent collapse.

The result of the two-day Federal Reserve meeting is due at 18:00 GMT, followed by a press conference half an hour later.

Japanese markets will be closed for a holiday on Thursday.