0019 GMT — Nikkei Stock Average edges 0.1% lower to 33450.40 in early trade after fluctuating between mild gains and losses. Investors may be assessing U.S. economic data overnight that showed slowing spending and easing inflation, and are awaiting Fed Chair Powell’s speech due later today. Worst performers on the Japanese benchmark index include Murata Manufacturing, which is down 2.0%, Capcom off 1.8%, and TDK 1.8% lower. The broader Topix index is up 0.2% at 2379.56. USD/JPY is at 147.80, up from 147.03 as of Thursday’s Tokyo stock-market close. ([email protected])