*Bank of Japan hikes rates* The Bank of Japan on Friday hiked rates by 25 basis points to 0.5%, the highest level since 2008. Earlier Friday, a report showed core inflation in the country rising to a 16-month high at 3% in December on an annual basis. ➡️ https://cnb.cx/4h72sAe *Upbeat Asia-Pacific markets* Positive Wall Street sentiment lifted Asian markets on Friday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped more than 2%, but Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged down after the rate hike. ➡️ https://cnb.cx/4aspVJD *Trump’s Davos address* U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, virtually on Thursday, saying he would “demand that interest rates drop immediately.” ➡️ https://cnb.cx/4h7gOR4 *Fink goes against pessimism in Europe* There’s severe “pessimism” about the future of Europe, according to Larry Fink, chief executive of BlackRock. However, Fink said things might be “near a bottom.” ➡️ https://cnb.cx/4g5FKHi _Get the latest updates: https://bit.ly/CNBCiWhatsApp_