TOKYO (Reuters) - Oil prices dropped for a fifth day on Thursday after official data showed a sustained rise in U.S. crude and fuel inventories, while the ever-present pandemic clouded the demand outlook.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve officials are due to issue new economic projections on Wednesday, with GDP growth likely to be a blow-out number that sets the stage for an historic experiment by U.S. central bank policymakers.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar held gains against major currencies on Wednesday as investors looked to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy meeting for indications it could start rate hikes earlier or let bond yields rise further.

TOKYO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Asian stocks fell on Wednesday, tracking Wall Street, as investors waited to see if the U.S. Federal Reserve will signal a faster path toward policy normalisation than previously expected.

MELBOURNE/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices were mixed on Wednesday as concerns over rocky demand in Europe counterbalanced hopes of a recovery in U.S. refinery activity as industry data showed U.S. crude stockpiles unexpectedly fell last week.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers promised on Monday to extend public support for the economy through 2021 and 2022 to help the common currency area emerge from the coronavirus crisis, saying they would deal with rising debt only once recovery is on track.