US ISM Manufacturing Sector Buoyed by Cautious Optimism, in Growth Territory for 9th Straight Month in September, but US Trade War, Mideast Conflict Keeping Costs High, Deliveries Slow
–ISM’s Spence: Firms Jittery about Not Being Able to Rely on Stead Economic Policy By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity expanded for the ninth straight month in September, thanks to a cautiously optimistic business outlook, but Washington’s wars on the trade front and in the Middle East are keeping various costs high and […]
UPDATE – Fed Officials Stay Focused On ‘Too High’ Inflation Despite Encouraging PCE Data
– Jefferson: Inflation Risk To Upside; Worried People Will Stop Believing Fed 2% Goal – Collins: Some ‘Promising’ Inflation Signs; Others Less Promising; Still Upside Risks – Kashkari Downplays PCE Report As Just “A Snapshot’; Foresees More Rate Hikes – Cook: Inflation ‘Too High For Too Long’; Labor Market Can Handle Tightening By Steven K. […]
Preview: Forecasters See Buoyant Japanese Job Market in August Data
Consensus outlook for Mace News Friday, October 2, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Thursday, October 1) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases August jobs. Mace News median: 2.4% (range: 2.4% to 2.5%)vs. 2.4% in July, 2.5% in June, May and April, 2.7% in March and 2.6% in February. By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO […]
Preview: Forecasters See Faster Inflation in Tokyo CPI Report for September
Consensus outlook for Mace NewsFriday, October 2, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Thursday, October 1) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases September Tokyo CPI.Mace News median: total CPI +2.2% y/y (range: +2.1% to +2.4%) vs. Aug +1.9%; core CPI (ex-fresh food) +2.1% (range: +1.9% to +2.2%) vs. Aug +1.8%; core-core CPI (ex-fresh […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japanese Retail Sales Continuing Rising Trend from Year Ago in August Data
Wednesday, Sept 30, 2026 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Tuesday, Sept 29) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases August retail sales. Mace News median: +2.7% y/y (range: +1.2% to +3.7%) vs. July revised to +3.7% from +4.0%; -0.9% m/m (range: -1.6% to -0.8%) vs. July revised to +2.1% from +2.4% By Chikafumi Hodo […]
Japan Government Maintains Gradual Economic Recovery Outlook, Warns about Rising Costs of Living amid Lingering Iran War
–Government Also Watching Effects of Powerful August Earthquake in Southwestern Region, Damage from Rain Storms Battering Japan Since Last Month By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government is sticking to its long-held conviction that the moderate economic recovery will continue in the near term, but also warned about rising costs under the protracted Iran […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japanese Industrial Production Bouncing Back in August Report
Wednesday, Sept 30, 2026 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Tuesday, Sept 29) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases August industrial production, as well as the outlook for September and October. Mace News median: +1.7% m/m (range: +0.3% to +2.0%) vs. July revised to -0.2% from +0.1%; +7.0% y/y (range: +5.6% to +7.4%) vs. […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Sept Tankan Showing Large Manufacturers’ Sentiment at +25, Highest Since 2017
By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan’s September Tankan business sentiment survey among large manufacturers is expected to climb to the highest level in nearly nine years as the rapid development of artificial intelligence has steadily boosted demand for semiconductors, data centers and other AI-related sectors, supporting an improvement in large manufacturers’ […]
NABE Survey Shows Shift to Expectations of Fed Tightening Among Business Economists
By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – The mood of business economists has shifted dramatically, swinging from hope for monetary easing to expectations of more monetary tightening, according to a survey by the National Association for Business Economics released Monday. The NABE’s semi-annual survey of its 151 members shows a substantial proportion of them considering both […]
Japan Week Ahead: Tokyo CPI Data Expected to See Signs of Growing Upside Risks to Inflation, AI Projects Boon for Factory Output but Damper for Consumers
–BOJ Tankan Survey to Show AI Boom Lifting Manufacturer Sentiment, High Costs Making Services Sector Slightly Less Confident By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Behind the Bank of Japan’s accelerated pace of interest rate increases this month were creeping upside risks to inflation as the lingering Iran war and the stubbornly weak yen threaten to keep […]