Shares are mostly higher in Asia as China's leaders begin a major meeting expected to bring fresh pledges of help for the world's second-largest economy.

U.S. stocks drifted lower Monday ahead of a momentous week full of potential flashpoints in Washington, D.C., and around the world. The Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped 0.3%, though it remains near its record set last month.

World shares were mixed on Tuesday, with major benchmarks in Asia gaining more than 1%, as investors awaited the outcome of the U.S. presidential election and other potentially market-rattling events this week.