Asian shares mostly higher after small US gains

Asian shares were mostly higher in early trade Tuesday after moderate Wall Street gains on increased expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will take action to spur the U.S. economy.

Japan's Nikkei 225 was up 0.5 percent to 9,624.50, with South Korea's Kospi gaining 0.2 percent at 1,793.14. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index was down 0.2 percent at 4,585.20.

Shares ended higher overnight on Wall Street amid low volume as investors awaited the Fed's assessment of the U.S. economy and any plans to resume stimulus measures. An announcement is expected after the Fed's latest rate-setting meeting ends Tuesday afternoon in the U.S.

In the U.S. on Monday, the Dow Jones industrial average ended 0.4 percent higher at 10,698.75. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 0.6 percent to 1,127.79.

In currency trade Tuesday morning, the dollar slipped to 85.81 yen, down from 85.96 yen late Monday, while the euro fell to $1.3191 versus $1.3223.