SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China surprisingly kept its benchmark lending rates steady on Wednesday, with markets seeing the move as Beijing's cautious approach to rolling out more easing measures as the economy slows due to COVID-19 lockdowns.

If lockdowns in China aimed at containing COVID-19 cause further disruptions to global supply chains, the Federal Reserve will need to take even more aggressive action to bring down high inflation, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said on Tuesday.

Japan recorded a trade deficit in March that was more than four times wider than market forecasts, as China-bound exports slowed sharply while soaring energy prices raised the cost of imports, adding to economic challenges brought by conflict in Ukraine.

(Reuters) -Ramsay Health Care Ltd, Australia's largest private hospital operator, said on Wednesday it received a A$20.05 billion ($14.80 billion) indicative takeover offer from a consortium led by private equity giant KKR & Co.

(Reuters) -If lockdowns in China aimed at containing COVID-19 cause further disruptions to global supply chains, the Federal Reserve will need to take even more aggressive action to bring down "much too high" inflation, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said on Tuesday.

Three months ago hedge fund manager William Ackman cheered when Netflix's stock price suddenly dropped, buying up 3 million shares as other investors fretted over weak subscriber growth at the streaming company.