US ISM Manufacturing PMI in Expansion for 3rd Straight Month but Mideast War Compounds Uncertainty Already Heightened by New Trump Tariffs

–ISM’s Spence: New Orders Creeping Back Down Toward Neutral, Widespread Price Hikes ‘Very Concerning’ By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity expanded for the third straight month in March, emerging from the tariff-triggered doldrums of 2025, but the outlook has been clouded further by the lingering Mideast conflict, prompting firms to shelve investment and […]

Preview: Japan February Factory Output Forecast to Slip Back After Hitting 31-Month High in January, Retail Sales Seen Sluggish on Falling Fuel Prices

By Chikafumi Hodo Tuesday, March 310850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Monday, March 30) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases preliminary February industrial production, the outlook for March, April.Mace News median: -2.0% m/m (range: -3.5% to -0.5%) vs. Jan revised to +4.3% from +2.2%; +0.4% y/y (range: -1.2% to +1.9%) vs. Jan revised to +0.7% from […]

Preview: Forecasters See Drop in Japanese Capex Spending in January Report

0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Wednesday, March 18) The Cabinet Office releases January machinery orders.Mace News median: core orders -11.0% m/m (range: -13.9% to -5.5%) vs. Dec +19.1%; +9.7% y/y (range: +6.2% to +16.0%) vs. Dec +16.8% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s core machinery orders, a key leading indicator of business investment in […]

US ISM Manufacturing PMI Stays in Expansionary State in February but Many Firms Complain US Tariffs Boosting Procurement Costs

–ISM’s Spence: Wouldn’t Be Surprised If Price Pressure Continued in Light of Heightened Tensions in Middle East By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity stayed in expansionary territory in February after springing back to life from a year-long slumber the previous month but firms are blaming the protectionist trade policy under President Donald Trump […]

Preview: Forecasters See Sharp Rebound for Japanese Industrial Production

Friday, Feb. 27, 20260850 JST (2350 GMT/1850 EST Thursday, Feb. 26) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases January industrial production, outlook for February and March. Mace News median: +5.3% m/m (range: +4.0% to +7.0%) vs. Dec. -0.1%; +5.2% y/y (range: +4.2% to +7.2%) vs. Dec. +2.6% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s […]

Japan’s December Core Machine Orders Soar Record 19.1% to 18-Year High, Driven by Large Industrial Orders, Persistent Computer Demand from Services Sector

–Cabinet Office Keeps View After October Upgrade: Orders Showing Signs of Pickup –Official: December Rise After November’s 11.0% Dip Indicates Trend Not Strong Enough to Revise Up View By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese core machinery orders, a key leading indicator of business investment in equipment and software, surged a record 19.1% on the month […]

Preview: Forecasters See Machinery Orders Rebounding in December as Capex Seen Solid

Thursday, Feb. 19, 20260850 JST (2350 GMT/1850 EST Wednesday, Feb. 18) The Cabinet Office releases December machinery orders.Mace News median: core orders +3.2% m/m (range: +1.0% to +5.0%) vs. Nov -11.0%; +1.0% y/y (range: -0.5% to +4.4%) vs. Nov -6.4% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s core machinery orders, a key leading indicator of […]

US ISM Manufacturing PMI Surges to 41-Month High on Vague Optimism About Demand Comeback but Uncertainty Over Trump Tariffs Continues to Choke Supply Chains

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity sprang back to life in January, marking the first expansion in 12 months backed by unclear optimism that demand will improve, but overall sentiment remains gloomy, hit by the lingering uncertainty caused by protectionist U.S. trade policy. The purchasing managers index compiled by the Institute for Supply […]