Tokyo / AFP Japan’s economy expanded at a slightly faster pace than first thought, revised figures showed on Wednesday, knocking hopes that the central bank will unleash fresh stimulus this month. The data were unlikely to inspire renewed faith in Prime Minister’s Shinzo Abe’s faltering growth policies, after Tokyo last week said it would delay a tax hike to …

  Bloomberg The European Central Bank started buying corporate bonds on Wednesday, according to people familiar with the matter. Purchases included €3 million ($3.4 million) of bonds sold by French utility Engie SA, along with 10-year notes from Telefonica SA, Spain’s biggest telecommunications company, and securities sold by Assicurazioni Generali SpA, Italy’s biggest insurer, said the people, who aren’t authorized …

Bloomberg French business confidence fell its lowest level in more than a year in May as strikes hampered refinery output and limited petrochemical supplies. A gauge of sentiment among manufacturing executives dropped to 97 in May, its lowest since March 2015 and down from 99 in April. The central cut its Q2 growth forecast to 0.2% from 0.3%. Workers at …