Singapore Hits Peak Amid Mixed Asian Trade

Singapore stocks hit a record high on Wednesday amid mixed trading in the Asia-Pacific region, as investors digested the latest comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.Powell said Tuesday that the central bank would have already cut interest rates if it weren’t for U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff initiatives.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 223.85 points, or 0.6%, to 39,762.48. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gained 149.13 points, or 0.6%, to 24,221.41. In Singapore, the Straits Times index took on 21.01 points, or 0.5%, to 4,010.77. In other markets,In Shanghai, the CSI 300 eked higher 0.92 points to 3,943.68. In Korea, the Kospi index subtracted 14.59 points, or 0.5%, to 3,075.06.In Taiwan, the Taiex index added 24.02 points, or 0.1%, to 22,577.74.In New Zealand, the NZX 50 gained 49.76 points, or 0.4%, to 12,784.29.In Australia, the ASX 200 improved 56.63 points, or 0.7%, to 8,597.75.