U.S. stock indices advanced on Thursday ahead of next week's Fed policymaking meeting. Analysts say that there is a 28% probability of a rate hike next week and a 60% probability of a rate increase by the end of the current year.

Apple stocks and the healthcare sector led gains.

Investors remained concerned over China's economy.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 76.83 points, or 0.5%, to 16330.40. The S&P 500 gained 10.25 points, or 0.5%, to 1952.29. The Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 39.72 points, or 0.8%, to 4796.25.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng climbed 0.89%, or 192.52 points, to 21,755.02. China Shanghai Composite Index slid 0.05%, or 1.75 point, to 3,196.14. The Nikkei gained 0.07%, or 12.98 points, to 18,312.60.

Asian stock indices posted mixed results. Stocks were supported by gains in U.S. markets; however uncertainty over Fed rates keeps investors concerned.

Japan Business Sentiment Index, which is based on a survey of large Japanese manufacturers, rose to +11 in the third quarter from -6 reported previously.