Japan stocks were higher after the close on Wednesday, as gains in the Shipbuilding, Paper & Pulp and Transportation Equipment sectors led shares higher.

Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) is facing a hefty fine in the EU over its alleged efforts to dominate the classified advertising market, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Gold prices rose slightly in Asian trade on Wednesday, keeping recent record highs in sight as traders waited to see just by how much the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates. 

Most Asian currencies firmed on Wednesday, while the dollar retreated as markets positioned for a widely expected interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve later in the day. 

Most Asian stocks kept to a tight range on Wednesday as investors hunkered down in anticipation of a Federal Reserve meeting where the central bank is widely expected to cut interest rates. 

Oil prices steadied on Wednesday, after rising in the previous two sessions, as investors await the U.S. Federal Reserve's anticipated interest rate cut, with the potential for more violence in the Middle East supporting the market.