U.S. Employment Data for April

In April, U.S. employers added 175,000 workers to payrolls, with the unemployment rate rising to 3.9%. The weaker-than-expected figure may lead to hopes for rate cuts. Wage gains moderated, and the goods-producing and services sectors saw changes in employment. The Federal Reserve's rate cut projections have fluctuated based on economic data.

Japan's Central Bank Raises Interest Rates

Japan's central bank raised interest rates for the first time since 2007, ending the negative rates regime due to robust wage gains. The bank also announced changes to its policies on bond purchases and quantitative easing.