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The
BOJ left unchanged the negative interest rates it adopted in
January, but lowered its assessment of inflation expectations to
say they were "weakening recently," suggesting it may increase
its stimulus program.
Global markets fell and the yen rose as investors sought
traditional safe havens. Oil prices continued sliding on
mounting fears that a recent rally had run its course as the
global glut showed no signs of abating soon.
Wall Street closed little changed on Wednesday as investors
waited on the sidelines ahead of the Fed's meeting, which
concludes on Wednesday.
The Fed is not expected to raise interest rates, but its
comments will be parsed for clues on the path of future hikes.
With the central bank heavily reliant on data, investors will
also keep a close eye on the economic reports being released
this week for a bearing on the U.S. economy.
The Commerce Department is expected to report that retail sales
fell 0.2 percent in February, after rising 0.2 percent in
January. The data is due at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals were down 10.2 percent at $62
premarket after the Canadian drugmaker cut its revenue forecast
for 2016.
Dover was down 2.4 percent at $62.34 after the industrial
equipment maker said its first-quarter results would miss its
expectations.
Dow e-minis were down 73 points, or 0.42 percent, with 5,712
contracts changing hands.
S&P 500 e-minis were down 10.75 points, or 0.53 percent,
with 174,652 contracts traded.
Nasdaq 100 e-minis <NQc1> were down 16.25 points, or 0.37
percent, on volume of 6,161 contracts.
(Reporting by Abhiram Nandakumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Don
Sebastian)
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