Singapore is likely to tighten monetary policy this month, for the sixth time in a row, amid persistent price pressures in the Asian financial hub due to global supply chain disruptions.

The U.S. dollar was stuck near two-month lows on Wednesday as weak economic data bolstered views that the Federal Reserve is near the end of its tightening cycle, while the New Zealand dollar jumped after a larger-than expected interest rate hike.

Legacy automakers have been sounding optimistic lately about vehicle sales in China heading higher following the great reopening. Volkswagen boss Oliver Blume seemed to come away bullish from his visit in February, and others like BMW have offered similarly positive sentiment.

Most British businesses expect their sales to rise over the coming year - an improvement from late 2022 - despite seeing no sales growth over the past three months, the British Chambers of Commerce said.

Japan's services sector activity grew at the fastest pace in over nine years in March, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday, suggesting that the post-COVID bounce was gathering steam and providing some offset to a still-weak factory sector.

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester said on Tuesday that the U.S. central bank likely has more interest rate rises ahead amid signs the recent banking sector troubles have been contained.