Stocks in Asia and Europe are struggling ahead of this week's central bank decisions in Japan and the U.S.
Asian markets started the week off on the wrong foot, as traders braced for upcoming policy decisions from the Bank of Japan (BoJ) and
U.S. Federal Reserve. The Japanese Nikkei shed nearly 0.8%, with losses exacerbated by a stronger yen, and amid ongoing speculation the BoJ could
introduce negative lending rates. Stocks were shaken elsewhere, as well, as China's Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong's Hang Seng retreated 0.4% and 0.8%, respectively. Rounding things out, South Korea's Kospi edged just 0.05% lower.
Stocks in Europe aren't any better off, hurt by a drop in crude oil prices and widespread weakness among automakers. Germany's DAX is down nearly 0.7% following a lower-than-expected business climate index reading -- with Daimler among the leading laggards. Elsewhere, London's FTSE 100 has shed 0.7% and the French CAC 40 has slipped 0.5%.
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