Kyodo News reports on the matter
The report cites remarks by Japanese prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, in saying that the decision will be taken on Friday as to whether or not they will end the state of emergency measures in place that is set to run through to 7 March.

The BOE will be due to testify before the Treasury Select Committee on monetary policy later today
Here’s the agenda:
1200 GMT – BOE’s Haldane speaks in a seminar
Haldane will be making a speech in a flagship seminar on the changing world of work, wellbeing and management. As such, I wouldn’t expect much policy remarks, if any

S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures turn flat
Of note, Nasdaq futures have erased a 1% drop from the tail-end of Asian trading as sentiment improves in European morning trade so far.

Latest data released by CBI – 23 February 2021
CBI notes that:
„With lockdown measures still in place, trading conditions remain extremely difficult for retailers. Record growth in Internet shopping suggests that retailers‘ investments in online platforms may be paying off, but the reopening of the sector can’t come soon enough to protect job losses and breathe

Comments by UK prime minister, Boris Johnson
– But not guaranteed that will be the case
In case you missed it, he set out the timeline for the reopening and the stages that the UK will go through in his announcement yesterday .

The pound is the best performing major currency today
If anything else, it highlights the conviction in the pound at the moment and this continues to make it tough to really challenge for a push lower.

Risk sentiment leans towards the softer side today
Nasdaq futures are bearing the brunt of things with tech hurting once again after yesterday’s drop. Futures are down by 1.4% as compared to Dow futures‘ 0.2% decline.

Latest data released by Eurostat – 23 February 2021
– CPI +0.9% vs +0.9% y/y prelim
The preliminary report can be found . No change to initial estimates as this reaffirms a bounce in inflation figures to start the year.

Dollar pares earlier gains to sit lower on the day again
Elsewhere, commodity currencies have also pared their drop a few hours ago with AUD/USD turning back up to 0.7887 from 0.7860 earlier and NZD/USD moving back above 0.7300 after a brief dip below the figure level to start the session.

Lagarde is scheduled to speak some time around 1430 GMT
She will be speaking at the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU, where she will be delivering opening remarks alongside a host of prominent figures in the region. The agenda can be found .