GLOBAL MARKETS - Asian Stocks Ease, Dollar Firms as Traders Ponder US Rates

GLOBAL MARKET - SINGAPORE. Asian stocks eased near two-and-half-year highs on Tuesday and the U.S. dollar firmed following hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that scuppered bets of big interest rate cuts, while Mid-East tension kept risk sentiment in check.

Oil prices were steady and gold traded just below a record high touched last week as investors awaited U.S. labour data for more clarity on the pace of U.S. rate cuts.