BoJ meets as industrial output and retail sales stall

With markets widely considered to be still reliant on central bank stimulus for support, the Bank of Japan's two-day meeting starting today will be closely-watched.

Japan reported today that industrial production and retail sales in September were unchanged from the previous month.

Compared to a year ago, industrial output rose 0.9 percent in September but retail sales fell 1.9 percent.

Toru Suehiro, senior market economist at Mizuho Securities, said: "Looking at the production report, I think GDP will lack strength and post a small gain, which would increase calls for stimulus measures to boost growth.”