Stock Market Live Updates: Asian equities mixed as Fed official signals potential delay in rate cuts

Sensex, Nifty, Share Prices LIVE: Equity markets across Asia are trading mixed as a Federal Reserve official highlighted that recent US economic data might postpone the anticipated rate cuts this year. In Japan, shares slipped at the open following gains for the Nikkei 225 index on Wednesday, which nearly set a new high. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index fell 0.90% to 40,393.96 in early trade, while the broader Topix index gave up 1.06% to 2,769.54. South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 0.22% to 2,749.03, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index gained 1.03% to a fresh record of 7,900.40. In the US, stocks ended higher on Wednesday, with the Dow leading gains and the S&P 500 setting a closing record. Investors are now focusing on the next piece of inflation data and Federal Reserve commentary for signals on the rate path. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 477.75 points, or 1.22%, to 39,760.08, the S&P 500 gained 44.91 points, or 0.86%, to 5,248.49, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 83.82 points, or 0.51%, to 16,399.52.