Preview: Forecasters See Japan Real Household Spending Down Again in March Report

Tuesday, May 12, 20260830 JST (2350 GMT/1930 EDT Monday, May 11) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases the February average household spending.Mace News median forecasts: -1.7% y/y (range: -4.3% to +1.6%) vs. Feb -1.8%; 0.0% m/m (range: -1.4% to +0.5%) vs. Feb +1.5% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending […]

Japan Week Ahead: US Treasury Secretary Bessent Goes to Tokyo on Way to US-China Summit, Meeting PM Takaichi, Others, After Suspected Japan FX Intervention

–Household Spending Seen Sluggish amid Rising Costs, Producer Inflation Accelerating on Mideast Conflict By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Trading returns to normal after the Golden Week holidays that ended on Wednesday, May 6. Government policymakers have also returned from international meetings and diplomatic visits. The […]

Fed Officials Point Toward Ending Easing Bias, But Leaving Rates on Hold

– Dissenters Hammack, Kashkari Focus on Inflation; Muse About Possible Rate Hikes – Williams, Others See Monetary Policy as “Well-positioned’ for Foreseeable Future – Weight of Official Concerns Has Shifted Away from Jobs to Inflation By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve officials have given additional hints this week that the easing bias the […]

FOMC Leaves Funds Rate In 3.5-3.75% Target Range; Keeps Easing Bias For Now

–Powell: To Stay on Fed Board After Warsh Becomes Chair –Four FOMC Participants Dissented, Three of Them Against Inclusion of Easing Bias – Powell: Monetary Policy ‘In Good Place’ To ‘Wait and See’ – Powell: Before Tightening Bias, FOMC Would First Move To ‘Neutral’ Forward Guidance By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – The Federal Reserve’s […]

TEXT: FOMC Statement – Keeps Easing Bias Despite Dissents; No Rate Change, As Expected

— Four Dissents, Three of Which Opposed Inclusion of Easing Basis; Miran Wanted Rate Cut WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Wednesday afternoon’s policy statement from the Federal Open Market Committee: Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, on average, and the unemployment rate […]

Preview: Japan’s Retail Sales Expected Up in March As Store Sales Improve

Thursday, April 30, 2026 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Wednesday, April 29) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases March retail sales. Mace News median: +1.0% y/y (range: -0.4% to +1.8%) vs. Feb revised to -0.1% from -0.2%; +0.4% m/m (range: -0.8% to +1.4%) vs. Feb -2.0% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s […]