The Bank of Japan is set to maintain ultra-low interest rates on Thursday and warn of heightening risks to the economy from soaring raw material costs, signalling its resolve to focus on boosting growth with massive monetary stimulus.

The dollar was nearing heights not seen in two decades on Thursday as the energy crisis in Europe hamstrung the euro, while the yen was undercut by expectations the Bank of Japan would stick to its super-easy policies.

China's Sinopec Corp incurred a loss of 1.6 billion yuan ($243.58 million) on its LNG imports in the first quarter due to high import costs, a company executive said on an earnings call on Thursday.

Elon Musk's criticism of Twitter Inc sparked a barrage of abusive tweets against the company's top lawyer on Wednesday, raising questions about his compliance with a non-disparagement agreement and the tone that the social media platform's incoming owner will set for its users.

Oil prices edged lower in early Asian trade on Thursday as concerns about rising coronavirus cases in China, the world's biggest oil importer, weighed on futures markets.

(Reuters) -PayPal Holdings Inc shares traded higher Wednesday even after the company lowered its full-year profit outlook, signaling that payments volumes could take a hit from surging inflation and the conflict in Ukraine.