"Asia Stocks Rise, Dollar Eases Ahead of US Inflation Data and Central Bank Meetings"

Asian stocks rose and the dollar eased as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of the US inflation report, which is expected to show inflation cooling but staying above the Federal Reserve's target. The focus is on comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and the central bank's dot plot and economic projections. European stock markets are expected to have a muted open. Central bank meetings are scheduled for this week, including the European Central Bank, Bank of England, Norges Bank, and the Swiss National Bank. The Japanese yen strengthened as expectations of the Bank of Japan walking away from negative rates faded. Gold prices edged higher, while US crude rose.