FX.co ★ Asian stocks mostly decline ahead of US Federal Reserve meeting

In addition, it is expected that tomorrow, US President Joe Biden, during his first address to both houses of Congress, will present details of the plan for infrastructure spending and tax reform.

The Japanese Nikkei 225 Index dropped 0.32% by 8:40 GMT + 2.

The Bank of Japan kept the short-term interest rate on deposits of commercial banks with the Central Bank at minus 0.1% per annum, the target yield on ten-year government bonds of Japan at about zero.

The Japanese central bank cut its inflation forecast for the current fiscal year to 0.1% from 0.5%, which was expected in January. The forecast for GDP growth was raised to 4% from 3.9%. The regulator warned of the risks to the country's economy as the pandemic continues to put pressure on consumption.

Among the leaders in the growth of quotations are shares of the paper manufacturer Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd. (+ 6.9%) and engineering company IHI Corp. (+ 6.4%). The market value of the transport company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. increases by 4.9%, food manufacturer Kikkoman Corp. increases by 4.7%.

Meanwhile, Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceutical Paper Co. Ltd. fell 3.2%, chemical Asahi Kasei Corp. fell in price by 2.7%. Stock quotes of the financial company Matsui Securities Co. Ltd. fall by 3%.

China's Shanghai Composite Index dropped 0.11% by 8:45 GMT + 2, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index added 0.27%.

The most significant increase during trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was shown by the quotations of securities of the Internet company Meituan (+ 3.2%) and HSBC Holdings Plc (+ 2.6%). Online retailer Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. rise in price by 1.1%.

Biologics manufacturer Wuxi Biologics dropped 5.4%, Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. fell 1.3%, developer Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd. dropped by 1%.

The South Korean Kospi index by 9:00 GMT + 2 fell by 0.1%. On the eve, the indicator renewed its record high.

South Korea's economy grew 1.8% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2021, preliminary data from the Bank of Korea show. Analysts had expected the country's GDP to grow by 1.1%.

The market value of one of the world's largest chip manufacturers, Samsung Electronics Co. declined 1.1%; automaker Hyundai Motor fell 1.4%.

The Australian S & P / ASX 200 fell 0.19% by 08:59 GMT + 2.

Australian authorities plan to discuss the suspension of flights to India, where the incidence of COVID-19 continues to rise.

Evolution Mining Ltd. and Northern Star Resources Ltd. add 3.4% and 1.1%, respectively. Fintech company Afterpay Ltd. fell by 5.3%.