Asian shares open mixed ahead of the Federal Reserve decision

Asia Pacific equity markets were set for a mixed open on Wednesday 29 July 2026, with investors waiting for the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision later the same day. Markets broadly expect the Fed to leave rates unchanged, with attention focused instead on policymakers' guidance about the future path of rates.

The open follows a volatile session across Asia. Japan's Nikkei 225 closed Tuesday 28 July 2026 down 3.95 percent at 62,364.92 points, while South Korea's Kospi fell 10.84 percent the same day to 6,023.66 points, a drop that triggered a circuit breaker halt in Seoul.

The main driver of those declines was heavy selling in technology stocks, and in semiconductor names in particular.