U.S. monthly producer prices increased by the most in more than 12 years in March amid strong demand for goods and services, the latest sign of persistently high inflation that could compel the Federal Reserve to aggressively tighten monetary policy.

Consumer inflation in Russia will keep on accelerating in annual terms due to base effects, the central bank said on Wednesday, warning that rouble volatility will continue, leading to upside inflationary pressure.

The U.S. dollar soared to a nearly 20-year high against a sluggish yen on Wednesday, as aggressive tightening from the Federal Reserve contrasted sharply with the Bank of Japan's ultra-loose monetary policy.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said it would be "a long time, if ever" before the U.S. dollar was replaced as the key reserve currency in the global economy.

Russian state conglomerate Rostec is in talks with Germany's Mercedes-Benz over acquiring the carmaker's stake in truckmaker Kamaz, the TASS news agency reported on Wednesday, citing Rostec head Sergey Chemezov.

The Benetton family and investment fund Blackstone are talking to banks to put the final touches to a bid for Italy's Atlantia, sources said on Wednesday, as the two get ready to launch one of this year's biggest takeover deals.