Stocks fell Wednesday in Asia after a slide in technology stocks dragged Wall Street lower ahead of a key report on U.S. inflation.Japan's Nikkei 225 index shed 0.2% to 32,706.52, while the Kospi in Seoul edged 0.1% lower, to 2,533.61. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gave up 0.7% to 7,154.60.Regional markets have been relatively quiet ahead of this week's release of Chinese and U.S. economic data.
Thursday will bring reports about inflation at the wholesale level and sales at U.S. retailers. Strong spending by U.S. households has helped keep the U.S. economy humming, but it could also be encouraging companies to keep trying to raise their prices further.whether the Federal Reserve is done High interest rates work to undercut inflation by slowing anentire economy and knocking down prices for stocks and other investments.undermined that process
“This scenario underscores the delicate balance between energy costs, inflationary pressures, and the central bank’s monetary policy actions, which can have profound implications for the broader economic landscape,” he said.Still, traders overwhelmingly expect next week’s meeting for the Federal Reserve to end with interest rates staying where they are.