<h1>Asian markets mixed as US equities fall for fifth day, rate-cut hopes fade amid hawkish signals and weak results</h1> Asian markets were mixed after U.S. equities logged a fifth straight daily decline as investors trimmed rate-cut expectations amid hawkish central bank signals and weak corporate results. Tokyo eased after Japan's core inflation cooled to 3.1%, raising the prospect of earlier tightening, while other regional bourses posted varied moves. A major retailer's profit miss weighed on U.S. benchmarks even as large technology firms steadied. Stronger-than-expected U.S. business activity and rising selling prices pushed Treasury yields up, reducing hopes for imminent Fed rate cuts ahead of a key central banker speech.