US February ISM Manufacturing in Contraction for 16th Straight Month on Pullback in New Orders, Production Mainly due to Seasonal Adjustments

–ISM Manufacturing Index 47.8 Vs. 49.1 in January; Median Forecast 49.5–ISM’s Fiore: Index Likely to Rise Above Neutral Line of 50 in March or April–Fiore: Pandemic-era Seasonal Adjustments Causing Volatility in Subindexes By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity was in contraction territory for the 16th straight month in February, with the key index […]

Japan January Industrial Production Index Sinks to Over 3-Year Low, Hit by Toyota Group Daihatsu Motor Suspension Over Crash Test Scandal

–METI Survey: Factory Output Likely to Rise Moderately in February, Gain Further in March–METI Downgrades View: Output Has Weakened While Taking One Step Forward, One Step Back–METI To Keep Watching Effects of Global Growth, Auto Output Suspension By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s industrial production plunged 7.5% on the month in January, hit by suspended […]

BOJ December Quarter Tankan: Major Manufacturers’ Sentiment Posts 3rd Straight Rise on Improved Supply Chains but Outlook Cautious on High Costs, Labor Shortages

–Major Non-Manufacturers’ Confidence Up for 7th Straight Quarter –Many Sectors Expect Pullback in March in Payback for Recent Improvement –Large Firms’ Combined Fiscal 2023 Capex Plans Revised Down Only Slightly; Small Firms Raise Theirs Further By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Confidence among manufacturers and non-manufacturers in Japan all picked up more than expected in December […]