Investors digested a slew of disappointing economic data and corporate results from the U.S.

Fund warns of risk of disruptive cross-border spillovers and potentially heavy losses when the time comes to reverse course.

Losses were limited, however, by another record session on Wall Street.

Investors remained on the sidelines, awaiting more significant economic reports from leading economies.

Japan's stock market jumped after global finance leaders gave a seal of approval to stimulus program.

Finance ministers also give Japan a free pass on its efforts to galvanise its economy.

Behind closed doors Brazil acknowledges that the WTO's main mission looks for the moment like a lost cause.

Sets the stage for a potentially frank meeting of G7 finance ministers outside London. Policy patience seen wearing thin as yen drops

The Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo jumped 3 percent to 14,612.81, its highest level since January 2008.

George Osborne, Britain's finance minister, sets the agenda for the meeting of the Group of Seven largest economies.