GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian Stocks Muted, Yen Softer Ahead of BOJ Decision

GLOBAL MARKET - SINGAPORE. Asian stocks were subdued on Wednesday and gold hovered near record highs as economic worries and a shifting geopolitical landscape kept risk appetite in check, while the yen was a tad softer ahead of the Bank of Japan's policy decision.

The euro remained close to the five-month high it reached on Tuesday after Germany's parliament approved plans for a significant increase in spending, handing conservative leader and the chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz a huge boost.