Key Takeaways It would be a huge surprise to financial markets if the Federal Reserve did anything other than hold its interest rate flat when the Fed's policy committee meets Wednesday.The Fed's battle to subdue inflation is entering a holding pattern.

Japan's central bank has increased the cost of borrowing to its highest level in 17 years, after consumer price rises accelerated last year. The move by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to raise its short-term policy rate to 0.5% comes just hours after the latest economic data showed prices rose last month at the fastest pace in 16 months.

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates on Friday to their highest since the 2008 global financial crisis and revised up its inflation forecasts, underscoring its confidence that rising wages will keep inflation stable around its 2% target.