World stocks fall drift lower ahead of Fed minutes

LONDON (AP) — World stocks fell Wednesday as investors awaited the release of the minutes to the Federal Reserve's last meeting for hints on whether it will raise interest rates again next month.

Traders are waiting for the publication of minutes from the last meeting of the Fed, when it did not raise rates, for signs of how worried the policymakers are about inflation and the economic outlook.

Market sentiment was mixed earlier, as upbeat Japanese figures were offset by concerns over China.

Solid consumer demand and higher government spending helped offset weak business investment and sluggish exports.

U.S. crude oil rose 24 cents to $48.55 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.