Asian stocks edged up on Tuesday while comments from central banks in China and Japan interrupted the dollar’s ascent, giving traders a breather ahead of U.S. inflation data that could influence when or if the Federal Reserve raises rates further. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.12%, while Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose 0.61%.

The yen notched its best day against the dollar in two months overnight after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said policymakers might have enough economic information by the year-end to determine that short-term rates will need to rise. The comment sparked speculation that the central bank might start to cut back on its massive bond purchases, which have kept interest rates near zero.

Investors also focused on Chinese manufacturing activity figures. Data showed factory activity in September contracted for the fourth straight month as slowing demand and higher labor costs weighed on production. The manufacturing sector’s official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 49.6 in October from a three-month high of 50.5 in September.

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Chinese shares also rose, boosted by Beijing’s latest stimulus measures to help boost the economy. A report by the state planning agency showed that infrastructure investment in the third quarter jumped to its highest level since 2011. The country’s top financial regulator also said it would allow local governments to set aside more funds to support growth as the government struggles to contain a slowdown in economic activity.

Investor sentiment remained fragile after recent steep sell-offs in global markets. A survey by the New York Fed found that consumers’ expectations of inflation a year from now were little changed, while their outlook for personal financial situations worsened.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.46%, weighed down by oil prices and month-end portfolio rebalancing. Shares in resources-focused mining giant BHP Billiton dipped 2.3%, while Australia’s second-biggest bank, Westpac, lost 1.6%. Shares in chipmaker Nvidia swung between gains and losses as investors debated the future of artificial intelligence technology. The stock has tripled this year, but some analysts say the market is overextended. The company is scheduled to report earnings later Tuesday. The Australian dollar dipped 0.18% on the currency markets against the greenback. The country’s central bank was expected to steady its cash rate at 2%. The benchmark interest rate has been at a record low for much of this year. The currency was also lower against the euro and Swiss franc. The euro gained 0.4% against the yen, while the Swiss franc was flat against the dollar and 0.5% higher against the yen. The Japanese currency also weakened against the Australian and New Zealand dollars.