Asian Markets Struggle As US Data Dents Fed Rate Cut Optimism

The bullish sentiment that flowed through trading floors after the Fed's dot plot was released has petered out following strong economic data (Credit: AFP)

Asian markets mostly fell Friday after data pointing to a still-strong US economy raised fresh concerns about inflation and dampened optimism that the Federal Reserve will slash interest rates as much as it expected this year.

Equities across the world surged Thursday in response to the central bank's closely watched dot plot projection that it would lower borrowing costs three times this year, even after figures showed prices ticking up in January and February.