Despite the better-than-expected result, this still marks the 11th straight week that the number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits set an all-time record now totaling 5.84 million people. The plan - equal to about 3% of Japan € gross domestic product (GDP) - will boost investment in fuel-efficient vehicles and consumer electronics, and also includes direct aid for struggling firms and unemployed / temporary workers.

More Japan Details $150bn Stimulus Plan Japan released more details on the 15.4tn yen ($150bn) stimulus package announced last week. Forex Trading News and Rumors FX strategies can be very helpful in your currency trading ventures. More Canadian Economy Loses 61,000 Jobs The Canadian economy lost another 61,000 jobs in March raising the national unemployment rate to 8 percent. More BOE Holds Interest Rates at 0.5% The Bank of England had held its overnight lending at 0.5 percent as expected. Foreign exchange (FX) is the medium where a country's currency is exchanged for another.

US New Jobless Claims Fall to 654,000 Analysts had predicted that new jobless claims would be 660,000 for last week, but the actual number beat expectations coming in at 654,000.