The European Central Bank's (ECB) chief economist on Tuesday backed a further interest rate increase at the ECB's next meeting but said its size would depend on incoming data, especially a survey of euro zone banks.

Big Japanese manufacturers remained pessimistic in April for a fourth straight month as jitters over Western banks added to slowing global growth, the monthly Reuters Tankan survey showed on Wednesday, dimming prospects for an export-led recovery.

Japan will stay the course to reach the central bank's 2% inflation target by continuing monetary easing even though it may take time, Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Tuesday, signalling his stance to maintain loose conditions.

China's economy grew at a faster-than-expected pace in the first quarter, as the end of strict COVID curbs lifted businesses and consumers out of crippling pandemic disruptions, although headwinds from a global slowdown point to a bumpy ride ahead.

The U.S. central bank most likely has one more interest rate rise ahead of it as it continues to work to lower high inflation, Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic said on Tuesday.

Consumers are starting to fall behind on their credit card and loan payments as the economy softens, according to executives at the biggest U.S. banks, although they said delinquency levels were still modest.