Asia/Pacific
BOJ cuts inflation forecast, expands loan scheme instead of QQ
The Bank of Japan cut next fiscal year's inflation forecast on Wednesday and expanded a loan scheme aimed at boosting lending, acting to deflect criticism that it is sitting idly as slumping oil prices keep inflation well short of its target.
Asian shares buoyed by ECB easing hopes, euro soft
Asian shares held firm and the euro stayed under pressure on Wednesday as investors counted on the European Central Bank to unveil a stimulus drive, while the yen was subdued ahead of the Bank of Japan's policy announcement later in the Asian day.
Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Infrastructure plans $521 million share sale: IFR
Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd (CKI), backed by Asia's richest man Li Ka-shing, plans to raise up to $521 million in a Hong Kong share offering to fund its investment in Britain's Eversholt Rail, IFR reported late on Tuesday, citing a term sheet of the transaction.
Itochu, CP Group to invest $10 billion in China's Citic
Japanese trading house Itochu Corp and Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) said on Tuesday that they plan to jointly invest $10 billion in Citic Ltd, part of China's oldest and biggest conglomerate.