Asian stocks mixed after US, China CPI surprise

Mixed Inflation Readings from US and China Impact Asian Stocks

Asian stocks experienced a range-bound movement on Friday as investors digested mixed inflation readings from the U.S. and China. The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed that inflation grew slightly more than expected in December, dampening hopes of an early interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. However, traders still maintained bets on a rate cut in March, which limited major losses in U.S. and Asian stock markets.