** Australian technology stocks .AXIJ advance as much as
2.6%, hitting their highest since June 21
** AXIJ tracks sharp gains in its Wall Street peers after a
softer inflation print in U.S., underscoring expectations the
Federal Reserve may stand pat on interest rates hikes
** Shares of BrainChip Holdings BRN.AX surge 6.6%, leading
gains on the sub-index
** Tech major Megaport MP1.AX climbs 2.7% while ASX-listed
shares of Block SQ.N edge 0.1% higher
** AXIJ has gained 28.08% so far this year, as of last close
(Reporting by Navya Mittal in Bengaluru)
((navya.mittal@thomsonreuters.com))