BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - The China stock market has moved higher in two of three trading days since the end of the three-day slide in which it had surrendered almost 30 points or 1 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index settled just above the 3,015-point plateau, although the market may head south again on Tuesday.
The global forecast is flat to lower, thanks to sinking oil prices and caution ahead of this week's FOMC meeting. The European markets were mixed and the U.S. markets were slightly lower - and the Asian markets figure to split the difference.
The SCI finished barely higher on Monday as gains from the consumer stocks were capped by weakness from the metal stocks.
For the day, the index collected 3.01 points or 0.10 percent to finish at 3,015.83 after trading between 3,003.29 and 3,027.12. The Shenzhen Composite Index added 0.24 points or 0.01 percent to and at 2,019.81.
Among the actives, Kweichow Moutai jumped 1.1 percent, while China Shenhua Energy skidded 1.3 percent and Poly Real Estate Group climbed 1.7 percent.
The lead from Wall Street suggests mild consolidation as stocks ticked lower on Monday in subdued action.
The NASDAQ eased 2.53 points or 0.1 percent to finish at 5,097.63, while the Dow slid 77.79 points or 0.4 percent, and the S&P 500 fell 6.55 points or 0.3 percent to 2,168.48.
Traders likely were looking ahead to the Federal Reserve's two-day monetary policy meeting which begins later today.
The Fed is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged, although the accompanying statement will be in focus as investors gauge the outlook for the next rate hike.
Energy stocks also came under pressure, as the price of crude oil for September delivery tumbled $1.06 to $43.12 a barrel.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX