/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/NKICDM7HHZLR3H7DFR26EHD3XQ.jpg?fit=758%2C9999&ssl=1 "Asian shares hold range as investors eye U.S. CPI")
A man walks past a stock quotation board at a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan February 26, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
Asian shares edged higher but held their recent trading range on Thursday as investors focussed on U.S. inflation data and the risk of an upside surprise that could prompt the Federal Reserve to start tapering its massive stimulus.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) were marginally higher at 700.6 points, but stayed in the 698-712 points range it has traded in since late May.
Japan’s Nikkei (.N225) and Australia’s benchmark shares…
