WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its policy meeting this week as policymakers balance recent stronger-than-expected U.S. economic growth against sluggish inflation.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices dipped on Tuesday on expectations rising output from the United States and producer club OPEC would offset most of the shortfall expected from U.S. sanctions on Iran, but analysts said markets remained tight.

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Shares in Asia fell on Tuesday despite another record high close for the S&P 500, as investors await a U.S. Federal Reserve policy decision for clues of whether it will continue to take a “patient” approach to interest rate policy.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Growth in China’s factory activity unexpectedly slowed in April, an official survey showed on Tuesday, suggesting the economy is still struggling to regain traction despite a flurry of support measures.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The dollar was all but flatlining in Asia on Tuesday as investors awaited readings on Chinese manufacturing and the European economy to gauge the pulse of the global economy.

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Asian stock markets edged up on Monday after surprising strong U.S. first-quarter economic growth boosted the S&P 500 index to a record high, but gains were capped by caution over less upbeat aspects in the GDP report which pointed to some weakening ahead.