Asian Markets Notch Up Modest Gains

Asian stocks rose for the third time in four days, led by finance and consumer companies, amid speculation the Bank of Japan will take more steps to ease deflation in the world’s second-largest economy.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index increased 0.3 percent to 123.06 as of 4:03pm in Tokyo, with five stocks advancing for every four that fell. The Bank of Japan started a two-day policy meeting today, while the US Federal Reserve is due to announce an interest-rate decision after Asian markets shut.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 0.3 percent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.1 percent. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index gained 0.3 percent. Taiwan’s Taiex Index climbed 0.8 percent as Powerchip Semiconductor Corp. led memory- chip makers higher after chip prices increased.