A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from

Ankur Banerjee

An expected hold from the Bank of Japan rounded out the

central bank bonanza this week that has left stocks ripping

higher and the currency market subdued, with the dollar staying

soft as investors remain uneasy about the global rates outlook.

The BOJ's decision, though, was not unanimous with two

dissents suggesting policymakers are at odds over when to hike

next.

Focus will now be on BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda's press

conference where markets will look for clues on the rate outlook

and more details on the central bank's plans to sell its

holdings of ETFs and real-estate investment trusts (REIT).

The yen firmed immediately after the decision

although nothing to get out of bed for, while the Nikkei

slipped after touching another record high earlier in the

session.

Elsewhere, Asian markets tracked Wall Street higher after

the Federal Reserve cut rates as expected earlier this week,

although comments from Chair Jerome Powell were measured and did

not hint at a rapid lowering of borrowing costs.

Just don't tell the stock market that. Taiwan's benchmark

index hit another record high on Friday after Wall

Street's main indexes scaled record peaks. European futures

indicate a subdued open after a strong session on Thursday.

The Bank for International Settlements, which acts as an

umbrella group for the world's central banks, warned this week

that record global share prices appear increasingly disconnected

from the rising concerns about government debt levels in bond

markets.

The dollar has been steady although investors expect the

greenback to be weaker in the near term. Bear in mind, the U.S.

currency is down more than 10% this year so how much further it

falls from here might be limited.

With little economic data on tap during European hours, the

spotlight will remain on interest rates and some whipsawed

reaction to the BOJ decision through the session.

European tech stocks will also be in focus after

Nvidia ( NVDA ) said it would pour $5 billion into Intel ( INTC )

, throwing its weight behind the struggling U.S.

chipmaker.

Key developments that could influence markets on Friday:

Economic events: UK retail sales for August, Germany August

producer prices

(By Ankur Banerjee; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)