Global stocks broadly unchanged
Japan could tweak inflation target sources
U.S. stock futures inch higher, Asia down
Oil prices bounce on China demand hopes

MILAN, Dec 19 Reuters World stocks steadied above near 6week lows on Monday and bond yields crept higher as investors started the year39;s last full trading week still mindful of interest rate hike risks in 2023.

The U.S. Federal Reserve and European Central Bank hiked rates and promised more last week, and speculation is even building that the Bank of Japan, which meets on Monday and Tuesday, is eyeing a shift in its ultradovish stance.

The MSCI39;s benchmark for global stocks hovered around parity through Asian and European trade. By 1152 GMT, the index was broadly unchanged after a heavy week for rate increases on Friday sent it to its lowest point since Nov. 10.

Europe39;s STOXX 600 sought to recover, up 0.5 after the index suffered its biggest weekly drop since September with improving business sentiment in Germany helping sooth nerves.

But stress about a too hawkish ECB hurting the economy was more visible across bond markets. Longterm borrowing costs rose for a fourth straight session and shortdated yields remained not far off their highest levels in more than a decade.

Markets would have done without an ultrahawkish ECB President Christine Lagarde going into yearend. It wreaked havoc even on rate markets, said Carlo Franchini, head of institutional clients at Banca Ifigest in Milan.

Except for the…