Asia shares, gold underpinned by rate cut hopes

Asian stocks paused after their best week in nine months, bolstered by hopes of a U.S. recession being avoided and cooling inflation signaling potential interest rate cuts. Gold surpassed $2,500 an ounce, and the dollar dipped. Fed officials hinted at easing policies, driving S&P 500 futures up 0.2% and Nasdaq futures 0.3%.