SEOUL, South Korea — Asian stock markets were drifting Thursday in mixed trading as investors awaited further moves in global trade disputes.

KEEPING SCORE: Japan's Nikkei 225 added 0.2 percent to 22,839.59, while South Korea's Kospi shed 0.2 percent to 2,285.99. Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged 0.1 percent lower to 28,107.16 while the Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.3 percent to 2,777.41. Australia's S&P-ASX 200 gained 0.3 percent to 6,265.00.

FED TESTIMONY: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell wrapped up his semi-annual testimony to Congress about economic and monetary policy with an overall positive assessment. However, he warned that trade battles with China and higher U.S. tariffs on foreign products cause higher inflation that might require a change of strategy.

ANALYST'S TAKE: "The tone is little changed from yesterday with earnings and the Fed relief carrying markets higher and providing positive leads for us here in Asia. That said, markets lack real conviction amid the waffling sentiment," Jingyi Pan of IG said in a commentary.