Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index heading for a two-week high, as investors awaited the conclusion of a Federal Reserve policy meeting and Japanese exporters rallied after the nation's shipments increased more than analysts estimated

Nikkei 225 13,245.22 +237.94 +1.83%

Hang Seng 21,083.25 -142.63 -0.67%

S&P/ASX 200 4,861.4 +47.05 +0.98%

Shanghai Composite 2,143.45 -15.84 -0.73% .

Honda Motor Co., a Japanese carmaker that gets about 83 percent of sales from overseas, added 2 percent.

Rio Tinto (RIO) Group gained 1.6 percent after a report the world's No. 2 mining company will cut jobs at its Australian iron-ore operations.

China Mengniu Dairy Co., the country's largest dairy producer, surged 5.6 percent in Hong Kong after offering to buy a local infant-formula maker.