As the Bank of Japan (BOJ) concluded its latest policy meeting, global markets experienced a mix of reactions. The BOJ’s decision to maintain its current interest rates was not unanimous, with two dissenting votes highlighting internal disagreements about the timing of future rate hikes. This decision, coupled with the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut, has left investors cautiously optimistic but wary of the broader global economic outlook. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda’s upcoming press conference is highly anticipated, as markets seek clarity on the central bank’s rate trajectory and its plans to divest from ETFs and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The yen strengthened slightly post-decision, while Japan’s Nikkei index dipped after briefly hitting a record high. Across Asia, markets mirrored Wall Street’s gains, with Taiwan’s benchmark index reaching a new peak. European futures, however, signaled a subdued opening following a strong session on Thursday. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) issued a warning this week, noting that soaring global stock prices seem increasingly detached from mounting concerns over government debt levels in bond markets. The U.S. dollar remained steady, though analysts predict a potential decline in the near term. With limited economic data expected from Europe, attention remains focused on interest rate dynamics and the ongoing market response to the BOJ’s decision. Additionally, European tech stocks are under scrutiny after Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in Intel, bolstering the struggling U.S. chipmaker. Key economic events to watch include UK retail sales for August and Germany’s producer prices for the same month.