Live news: Dollar weakens against Asia currencies after US data shows easing inflation

China inflation: April’s consumer price index and producer price index rate are set to be released. Analysts polled by Reuters expect CPI inflation to fall to 0.4 per cent, down from 0.7 per cent the previous month, and the weakest in more than two years. The PPI is expected to deflate 3.2 per cent year-on-year, the heaviest decline in nearly three years.

G7 meeting: Finance ministers and central bank governors will gather in Niigata, Japan.

Earnings: Ecommerce group JD.com, carmakers Nissan and Honda and electric component manufacturer Foxconn are among Asia-Pacific companies reporting results.

Markets: Futures in Japan edged lower on Thursday morning while contracts in Hong Kong pointed higher. Wall Street stocks rose on Wednesday after US inflation data came in weaker than expected, increasing beliefs that the Federal Reserve will halt its rate increases. The Nasdaq Composite added 1 per cent, closing at its highest level since June, while the S&P 500 gained 0.4 per cent.