BoJ Policy Board minutes for the April 27 and May 16-17 meetings have just been released. According to the central bank, they will continue to adjust interest rates according to economic and price data. The CPI is seen to be rising gradually though some were uncertain as to the pace. Most agreed it was currently around zero, weaker than projected, and would remain here. Inflationary pressures were seen growing however, suggesting current monetary accommodation would have to be rolled back. On the US economy, the BoJ Policy Board members believed a soft landing was in store. –Haruya.Ida@thomson.com

Wall Street skidded lower Tuesday after comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and a strong reading on the service sector suggested the central bank has little reason to lower interest rates.