Stock markets in the European region gained marginally and mostly remained steady as the Federal Reserve in the country began a meeting that is likely to result in more bond buying in the country.

The US Federal Reserve policy makers began their meeting that might result in more asset purchase aimed at boosting growth in the world's largest economy. The Federal Reserve is likely to replace a programme of Treasury purchases with a new bond buying plan that will expand its efforts. The asset purchases are believed to have an impact on the US dollar.

The `FTS Eurofirst 300' index of top European shares increased marginally by 0.2 percent while France's CAC 40 remained flat during the trading session. UK's FTSE 100 is advancing 0.3 percent and Switzerland's SMI is adding 0.4 percent. The DAX index is recorded an increase of 0.3 percent at the time of reporting.

Meanwhile in Asia, the Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.4 percent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed 0.8 percent, Japan's Nikkei 225 increased 0.6 percent and India's BSE Sensex rose0.17 percent.