Aug 22, 2019: Asian markets mostly rose Thursday but dealers remain wary following the release of Federal Reserve minutes that provided a mixed bag, with a speech by its chair at the end of the week the key point of focus.

Donald Trump provided some fresh hope for China-US trade talks by saying a deal will “probably” be made, and Wall Street ended with healthy gains thanks to blockbuster results from retailers that indicated strong consumer demand.

But investors in Asia were playing it cool ahead of Jerome Powell's address to the central bankers' symposium at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Friday which will be scrutinised for an idea of Fed interest rate policy.

AFP/APP

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