BoJ hawkish hold fuels rate-hike bets as markets tread near records

Markets begin the week with a hawkish Bank of Japan hold that keeps rate-hike bets alive even as other major central banks appear on hold; Novartis misses quarterly profit but maintains its full-year outlook, and global stocks hover near record highs. Geopolitics linger with Iran tensions in focus, a U.S.-UK visit by King Charles, scrutiny over Mandelson’s appointment in the UK, and BYD facing EU labor-allegation scrutiny at its Hungary plant.