Japan Weekahead: Factory Output to Slip Back amid Lingering Trade Woes; Retail Sales Sluggish on Waning Inbound Spending Magic, Front-Loaded Air Conditioner Demand

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic events for the coming week. The world trade uncertainty has been reduced somewhat by accords between Washington and some U.S. allies, except for Canada, but President Trump’s erratic policymaking is leaving firms wary of making plans. Trump tariffs are taking their toll on Japanese […]

US ISM Manufacturing Stays in Contraction in June as Uncertainty Over Trade Conflicts Keeps Firms on Sidelines, Leading to Weak Demand, More Layoffs

–ISM Manufacturing Index at 49.0 Vs. 48.5 in May, Consensus at 48.8–ISM’s Spence: Production Up but Still Fragile, New Orders Falling–Spence: Orders Unlikely to Pick Up Until Trade, Geopolitical Risks Wane By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity was in contraction for the fourth straight month in June as the uncertainty over protectionist U.S. […]

US ISM Manufacturing Slips Back into Contraction in March as Firms Sit on Sidelines, Trim Payrolls Ahead of More Trump Tariffs Expected This Week

–ISM Manufacturing Index at 49.0 Vs. 50.3 in February, Below Consensus (49.6)–ISM’s Fiore: Activity ‘Overshadowed’ by US Import Tariffs; So Many Unknowns, More Confusion–Fiore: Still Think Lower New Orders, Higher Inventories, Slower Supply Deliveries Will Clear Up–Fiore: Tariffs Could Prompt Workers Hit by Higher Costs of Living to Demand Wage Hikes, Triggering Wage-Price Cycle By […]

Preview: BOJ March Quarter Tankan to Show Business Sentiment Slightly Down or Flat amid Uncertainty over Trump Tariffs, Elevated Consumer Inflation

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan’s quarterly Tankan business survey is forecast to show confidence among manufacturers slipped in the March quarter in the face of stiff tariffs on U.S. imports of metals and vehicles as well as President Trump’s plans to slap “reciprocal tariffs” on imports from global trading partners. China’s […]

US ISM Manufacturing Stays Just Above Neutral Line in February after Ending 2 Years of Contraction in January as Trump Tariffs Trigger Greater Uncertainties

–ISM Manufacturing Index at 50.3 Vs. 50.9 in January, Below Consensus (50.5)–ISM’s Fiore: February Report ‘Overshadowed’ by Tariff Talk among Firms–Fiore: Lower New Orders, Higher Inventories, Slower Supply Deliveries ‘One-Month Blip, Might Clear Up in March or April–Fiore: This Doesn’t Indicate Decline in Overall ISM Manufacturing Activity By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity […]