Asian stocks mixed as markets await US PCE inflation data

Asian stocks were mixed on Wednesday as investors awaited key U.S. inflation data, while a slight retreat in global bond yields and softer oil prices offered some support to risk assets. Japan's Nikkei 225 led gains, rising 1.5% on chip-related stocks and a 6% jump in SoftBank Group, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.3% and South Korea's KOSPI dropped 0.4%. Australia's inflation accelerated to 4.0% in August, above the central bank's target, and Japan's industrial production fell 1.7% in August. Attention turns to the U.S. PCE price index for August, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, which could influence interest-rate expectations. China's manufacturing PMI returned to expansion, while Brent crude traded around $103 a barrel amid Middle East tensions.