By Stella Qiu

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Asian shares took a breather from their recent rally on Thursday as investors positioned for month- and quarter-end flows, while the Japanese yen tested fresh lows against the euro and a surging Swiss franc.

Oil prices slipped, after surging over 2% overnight to seven-week peaks as a surprise drop in U.S. crude inventories added to supply worries amid export issues in Iraq, Venezuela and Russia.

S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures inched up 0.1% ahead of a lineup of Federal Reserve officials, whose remarks will be closely watched for their views on interest rates. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said further rate cuts will likely be needed but the timing remained unclear.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell had struck a cautious tone about further rate cuts, af

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