Asian markets were mixed on Wednesday, with attention turning to a speech by US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke later in the week as dealers look for an indication of any stimulus by the central bank. Tokyo gained 0.28 percent by the break, Hong Kong added 0.15 percent and Seoul climbed 0.26 percent but Sydney gave up 0.18 percent and Shanghai shed 0.10 percent. Bernanke is due to address US central bankers at their annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Friday, with investors hoping he will outline plans for further measures to boost the world’s number one economy. “Players remain in wait-and-see mode leading up to the Jackson Hole summit where more hints on information about the direction of monetary policy are expected,” said Hiroichi Nishi, general manager of equities at SMBC Nikko Securities. On forex markets the euro bought $1.2556 and 98.69 yen in early Asian trade, compared with $1.2565 and 98.68 yen in New York late Tuesday.The dollar was at 78.60 yen against 78.49 yen. Wall Street provided an anaemic lead after mixed economic data. The Conference Board reported its US consumer confidence index dropped to a nine-month low of 60.6 for August, down from 65.9 in July. The report showed consumers grew less confident about business and job prospects in the coming months.
