Aozora Bank, Ltd.

Asian stock markets are trading mixed on Thursday following the US Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady and push back against expectations for a March rate cut. The Fed kept the federal funds rate target range at 5.25 to 5.50 percent and said it needs greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent before lowering rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated it is unlikely the central bank will reach that confidence level by the March meeting, and the probability of a March cut fell to 36.5 percent according to CME Group's FedWatch Tool. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.13 percent, snapping an eight-session winning streak, while Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 0.91 percent, with Aozora Bank plunging 21.5 percent. In contrast, Hong Kong's market rose 2.1 percent and South Korea's gained 1.3 percent.