"Markets Brace for Powell's Speech as Stocks Slip"

Stocks edged lower as investors awaited clues on the path of interest rates from central bank officials, including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. European stocks fell slightly, while US equity futures traded little changed. Traders are trying to gauge how central bankers will respond to the drop in government bond yields, which could hinder efforts to control inflation. Oil prices remained near a three-month low due to concerns about stagnant demand and uncertainty in the global economy. Japanese bank shares dropped sharply, and Chinese equities may see gains with a possible upcoming meeting between US and Chinese leaders.