Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Friday as investors awaited Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at the annual economic symposium, seeking signals on the future of interest rates.

South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.22% and the Kosdaq rose 0.94%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.1% while the Topix advanced 0.44%. Japan’s July core inflation eased to 3.1% from 3.3%, though still slightly above forecasts. Rice inflation cooled to 90.7% after two months above 100%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was flat following its first-ever climb past 9,000. Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng stood at 25,192, above the prior close of 25,104.61.

On Wall Street, U.S. stocks fell again Thursday, with the S&P 500 logging its fifth straight drop, down 0.4% to 6,370.17. The Nasdaq declined 0.34% to 21,100.31, and the Dow shed 152.81 points to 44,785.50.

CME’s FedWatch tool shows markets pricing in nearly a 74% chance of a Fed rate cut in September.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein (1) is proprietary to BCR and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely; and, (4) does not constitute advice or a recommendation by BCR or its content providers in respect of the investment in financial instruments. Neither BCR or its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.