"Asia Markets Await US Data and Central Bank Moves; Mixed Trading and Dollar Stability"

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed as Wall Street's tech-fueled rally dissipated, with investors focused on Japan's wage negotiations and India's wholesale inflation data. India's wholesale inflation slowed more than expected in February, while Reliance Industries agreed to purchase Paramount Global's stake in Indian media company Viacom18. South Korea's National Pension Service expressed support for the government's plan to resolve the "Korea discount" in the country's stock markets. Meanwhile, shares of Singtel slid after denying talks to offload its Australian subsidiary Optus, and Australian gold miners surged as spot gold prices neared all-time highs. Additionally, U.S. Steel shares dropped after President Biden expressed concern over its proposed acquisition by Nippon Steel, and oil prices jumped after Ukraine struck Russian oil refineries.