Japan's benchmark Nikkei index soared to a one-week high on Wednesday, underpinned by continued weakness in the yen and optimism about the Federal Reserve's policy decision.
European shares closed mixed on Tuesday, after better-than-expected economic data from Germany, and stock market gains in the U.S.
Asian equity markets were mixed on Tuesday, as nervous investors awaited the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee's latest update on its stimulus program.
Tokyo stocks closed up 2.7 percent on Monday as investors bought battered exporter stocks, while gains in the rest of Asia were capped ahead of the Federal Reserve's meeting.
European shares closed narrowly higher on Friday, having pared gains when mixed economic reports from the U.S. did little to soothe concerns about an imminent end to the Federal Reserve's bond buying program.
European shares were flat on Friday as talks over the "fiscal cliff" stalled.
The Fast Money traders share their final trades of the day.
Tuesday, 18 Jun 2013 | 5:00 PM ETAhead of the Fed meeting, the S&P 500 appears headed toward 1,687, StockMonster's Guy Adami says.
Tuesday, 18 Jun 2013 | 6:40 PM ETYou say the name of a stock, and Mad Money's Jim Cramer tells you whether to buy or sell.