Stock market today: Asian shares trade mixed ahead of a key US jobs report

The benchmark index ended August down 1.8%, though a recent four-day winning streak helped chip away at the severity of the monthly decline. Market jitters over the possibility that the Federal Reserve might have to keep interest rates higher for longer — following reports showing the U.S. economy remains remarkably resilient — led to the market's pullback in August after what had been a banner year. This week, reports on job openings, consumer confidence and inflation stoked hopes on Wall Street that the Fed may hold rates steady at its next policy meeting in September.