- Asian stocks fluctuated as Japan's upward momentum slowed and Chinese shares opened lower. The yen and yuan were also in the spotlight, with authorities in both countries concerned about currency weakness.
- Traders were also parsing central bankers' hawkish comments, which point to higher interest rates, and positioning portfolios for the end of the quarter.
- Japan's Nikkei 225 index remained positive, while the broader Topix index and South Korea's Kospi fell. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong fell about 1%, while the Shanghai Composite Index fell slightly less. Index futures in the United States and Europe rose about 0.1%.
- The offshore yuan gained about 0.1% after China intervened to support the currency for the third time this week by setting its daily reference rate higher than expected.
- The yen rose on Thursday as traders digested remarks from Bank of Japan's Governor Ueda. He took a dovish stance on the short-term outlook for monetary policy, but hinted that if he becomes confident that inflation will rise next year, he may be able to begin normalising policy.
