Japan's economy contracted less than previously estimated in the first three months of the year. Q1 GDP fell by 1.8 per cent, revised higher from the preliminary estimate for minus two per cent supported by upgrades to capital expenditure. Investors are looking for hints as to when the central bank might hike again after it raised interest rates in March for the first time in 17 years. The Bank of Japan could also discuss cutting its Japanese government bond purchases this week as it looks to reduce its monetary stimulus partly to help stem the slide in the Japanese yen.

(c) 2024 City A.M., source Newspaper