U.S. economic data this week has left investors in the same state of confusion about Fed policy as they have been in for weeks.
"A period of consolidation seems warranted, especially if Fed officials push back against the recent easing in financial conditions."
Australian shares (.AXJO) were down 0.33%, while Japan's Nikkei stock index (.N225) slid 0.36%.
On Wednesday, U.S. stocks closed slightly higher, as the inflation data reinforced investor hopes the Fed is done raising interest rates, while retail stocks were boosted by an upbeat forecast from Target.
The two-year yield , which rises with traders' expectations of higher Fed fund rates, touched 4.8991% compared with a U.S. close of 4.916%.
Persons:
Issei Kato, HSI, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Brent, Julie Zhu, Vidya Ranganathan, Lincoln
Organizations:
REUTERS, ANZ, Japan's Nikkei, Nikkei, Target, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Treasury, Thomson
Locations:
Tokyo, Japan, HONG KONG, Asia, Pacific, U.S