Japan’s Government Still Sees Modest Economic Recovery Despite Sluggish Consumption, Flat Real Wage Growth Amid Food-Led Inflation
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its overall assessment that the economy’s “modest recovery” is set to continue despite sluggish consumer spending and flat real wage growth amid high costs for food and other necessities. In its monthly report for December released Friday by the Cabinet Office, the government said the economy is […]
BOJ Governor Ueda: Japan Economy on Track Toward Higher Interest Rates but Central Bank Needs More Confidence in Sustained Wage Hikes
–Ueda: Bank May Get Enough Data in March or April to Decide on Next Rate Hike By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said Friday that the bank’s policymakers may receive clearer data and information in March or April that would allow them to decide confidently whether to go ahead with […]
ISM: US Services Sector Expands for 5th Straight Month in November but Posts Sharp Slowdown on Trump Tariff Concerns, Slow Fed Rate Cuts
–ISM Services Index at 3-Month Low of 52.1 vs. 56.0 in October, Well Below Median Forecast 55.5–ISM’s Miller: Trump Tariff Complications Not Accelerating Ongoing Move Away from China–Miller: Higher Costs of Sourcing from Mexico Likely to Be Resolved Via North American Trade Pact As in Past By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Business activity in the […]
US November ISM Manufacturing in Contraction for 8th Straight Month but Shows Signs of Pickup in early 2025; Firms Look at Bright Side of Potentially Business Friendly New Administration
–ISM Manufacturing Index at 48.4 vs. 46.5 in October, Well above Median Forecast of 47.6–ISM’s Fiore: Concerns about Inflationary Fiscal Policy Not Going Away but Optimism over Trump Plans Kicks in–ISM’s Fiore: US Economy on Soft-Landing Course; Still Believes ISM Index Likely to Pick Up Above Neutral Line of 50 in Q1 of 2025 By […]
Japan Still Sees Modest Economic Recovery but Warns It Now Needs to Watch Future US Policy amid Headwinds of Inflation, Middle East Tensions, Weak Yen
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its overall assessment that the economy’s “modest recovery” is set to continue thanks to wage hikes amid widespread labor shortages, but urged a close watch on the future U.S. government policy as well as lingering high costs for necessities, geopolitical risks and the weak yen. In its […]
Japan Q3 GDP Slows on Capex, Public Works Pullbacks as Expected, Propped Up by Downward Revision to Q2 Growth
–Q3 GDP +0.2% Q/Q, +0.9% Annualized Vs. Median Forecasts of +0.2%, +0.6%–External Demand’s Unexpected Dive Buoyed by Surprisingly Firmer Consumption Despite High Costs, Earthquake, Typhoons–Domestic Demand Pushes Up GDP by 0.6 Point, Net Exports Slashes Growth by 0.4 Point By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s third quarter economic growth slowed to 0.2% on quarter, on […]
Preview: Japan Q3 GDP Growth to Show Sharp Slowdown as Consumers Remain Wary amid High Costs, Capex Seen Down
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s gross domestic product for the July-September quarter is forecast to post a sharp slowdown, up just 0.2% on quarter, or an annualized 0.6%, as consumers remained frugal amid high costs for necessities that were aggravated by a rare, acute rice supply shortage and business investment is believed to have […]
ISM: US Services Sector Expands for 4th Straight Month in October on More Jobs but Surprise Index Rise Also Caused by Slower Deliveries in Wake of Hurricanes
–ISM Services Index at 56.0 Vs. 54.9 in September, Well Above Median Forecast 53.5 –ISM’s Miller: Index Likely to Slip Back to 53 or 54 in November as Impact of Hurricanes Subsides –Miller: Positive Comments Spreading to More Industries but Uncertainty over US Political Climate Lingers By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Business activity in the […]
Japan July Overall Household Spending Up Just 0.1% Y/Y, Core Reading Dips 0.8%; Air Conditioner Demand Strong but Too Hot to Stay Outdoors
–High Wage Hikes amid Labor Shortages Lead to 3rd Straight Rise in Real Average Household Income–Real Wages Up 0.4% Y/Y in July After Marking 1st Rise in 27 Months in June By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending posted its first year-over-year rise in three months in July but with a sluggish undertone […]
Heat Wave Boosts Japanese Consumer Inflation in July, Hitting Many Households as Government Ends Utility Subsidies
–Retail Sales Up on Seasonal Demand but Somewhat Slower as It is Dangerous to Stay Outdoors for Long –Factory Output Rebounds, Government Upgrades View –Unemployment Rate Up on Surge in Quits for Better Positions Amid Widespread Labor Shortages By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The killer heat wave is wreaking havoc across Japan, claiming many lives […]