Europe Stocks Rise Before U.S. Rates Decision

European stocks opened higher Wednesday, ahead of the Federal Reserve's latest decision on interest rates.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index was up 0.63% in early morning trading.

The U.S. Federal Reserve's statement on monetary policy will be watched closely by investors, coming at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday. The central bank isn't expected to move interest rates this week, but any hints on the likelihood of a September rate rise could move markets.

In Asia, the Nikkei closed up 1.72% after a Wall Street Journal report that the Japanese government may issue 50-year bonds for the first time, to take advantage from ultralow yields on Japanese sovereign debt.

The Japanese yen is down 0.78% against the dollar. The Bank of Japan will announce its latest monetary policy decisions on Friday.

Second-quarter earnings season is in full swing, with results from Coca-Cola Co. ahead of the U.S. opening bell, and Facebook Inc. after markets close.

Write to Mike Bird at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 27, 2016 04:05 ET (08:05 GMT)

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