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. […]

Japan Weekahead: Bank of Japan Set to Keep 0.5% Policy Rate, Focus on Possible Moderation in FY26 Balance Sheet Trim; Exports Hit by Trump Tariffs, Underlying Inflation Still Below 2%

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic and political events for the coming week. – Monday, June 16 1400 JST (0500 GMT/0100 EDT) – The Bank of Japan’s nine-member board begins its two-day policy meeting. On day one, board members compare notes on the economic and financial conditions in Japan and […]

US ISM Manufacturing Remains in Contraction in April as Trump Tariffs Choke Demand, Prompting Firms to Slash Output, Shed Payrolls amid High Costs

–ISM Manufacturing Index at 48.7 vs. 49.0 in March, Above Consensus (47.9)–ISM’s Fiore: Tariff Concerns Account for 82% of April Survey Comments vs. 67% in March, Overshadowing Any Kind of Demand Comment–Fiore: Don’t Think US in Recession but PMI Indicates Moving in That Direction–Fiore: Not a Tariff Fan; Firms Won’t Invest, US Consumers Will Pay […]

ISM: US Services Sector Slips in March on Surging Costs amid Trump Trade War, Controversial Massive Federal Spending Cuts, but Clings to Growth

–ISM Services Index at 9-Month Low of 50.8 Vs. 53.5 in February, Below Consensus (53.0)–Employment Subindex Plunge by 7.7 Points Sharpest Since Early Pandemic Phase of April 2020–ISM’s Miller: More Industries Are Concerned About Impact of Tariffs–Miller: Canadian Boycott of US Goods, Services Having Immediate Impact–Miller: Services Sector Shows Some Strength from Overall Viewpoint By […]