HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks inched higher on Friday after a record day on Wall Street powered by upbeat data that adds to evidence the world’s biggest economy is gaining strength. Gains were tempered as investors awaited a key meeting of U.S. central bankers that’s expected to shed light on the interest rate outlook.

KEEPING SCORE: Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.1 percent to 15,598.71 and South Korea’s Kospi added 0.6 percent to 2,056.70. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.4 percent to 25,085.84 and the Shanghai Composite in mainland China gained 0.2 percent to 2,234.47.. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.3 percent to 5,654.80.