Traders shrugged off data from Japan which showed the country losing its title as the world’s third-biggest economy to Germany after unexpectedly slipping into recession at the end of last year.
That has raised doubts about when the central bank will phase out its massive monetary stimulus, with many analysts expecting the Bank of Japan to move sometime this year.
The fragile yen strengthened a tad on the day but remains in the 150 per dollar region, with traders on the watch for any intervention related chatter.
The afterglow of Nvidia’s meteoric rise might give European bourses a lift too, with futures indicating a higher open.
UK data are also on the radar, headlined by preliminary Q4 GDP as well as trade figures. The reports will be influential in determining the Bank of England’s policy outlook, especially after British inflation unexpectedly held steady in January.
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