Asian stocks are mostly lower after U.S. stock indexes finished mixed a day after strong reports on the economy stirred up worries that inflation and interest rates may remain higher than expected. Shares fell in Tokyo after Japan reported strong wage growth for November, raising the chance the central bank may raise interest rates. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 rose 0.2% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3%. The Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1%. Bond yields held steady. Reports on the economy came in mixed, and a top Federal Reserve official said he still expects interest rate cuts this year. U.S. markets will be closed Thursday to observe a National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter.
