Asian markets edged mostly upward in muted morning trading on Thursday, one day before a key speech expected to offer signals about future interest rate cuts in the United States.

US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who has resisted public demands by President Donald Trump to cut rates, is scheduled to deliver remarks Friday at the annual central bankers conference in Wyoming.

Data last week provided a mixed picture of US inflation, making it uncertain if the Fed will lower rates as many investors expect in September -- which could bolster growth in the world's largest economy.

In a sign of further uncertainty, recent days have seen a sell-off of major technology stocks as investors grow wary of a sustained rally in the industry despite a range of global economic hurdles.

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