Asian stocks were mixed on Wednesday as markets renewed expectations that U.S. interest rates could remain high for some time. Fed Chief Executive Jerome Powell said at an event on Tuesday that the central bank has been waiting to cut its key interest rate, which is at its highest level since 2001, because it first needs more confidence that inflation will continue to fall to its 2% target. "The appetite for risk-taking remains weak, with Fed chief Jerome Powell confirming a later rate cut timetable as a series of Fed spokesmen called for more patience on the easing side of the equation," said IG market analyst Yeap Jun Rong.