FOMC: Qtr Point Hike As Expected; Few Specifics on Future Action

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The Federal Open Market Committee Wednesday fulfilled expectations for a quarter-point fed funds rate hike, the first such since 2018, accompanied by a pledged to begin pulling back Treasury and Agency securities holdings “at a coming meeting.” The text follows: Indicators of economic activity and employment have continued to strengthen. Job gains […]

Japan February Exports Post 12th Straight Y/Y Rise After Slower January Growth

–Imports Up on Rising Energy Prices, Leading to 7th Straight Trade Deficit –Exports to China Rebound After Irregular Shipments Around Lunar New Year –Auto Exports Rebound Amid Lingering Supply Constraints By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese exports rose from a year earlier for the 12th straight month in February, picking up from slower growth in […]

German Economic Sentiment Plunges on Ukraine, Sanctions, ZEW Reports

ZURICH (MaceNews) – Economic sentiment in Germany fell by a historic margin in March, as the war in Ukraine and resulting sanctions against Russia pushed the ZEW institute’s measure of economic sentiment into sharply negative territory. The ZEW measure of economic sentiment plunged 93.6 points in March to a reading of -39.3 from the February […]

Text: G7 Details Current and Future Sanctions Vs Russia

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is the joint statement statement Friday by the Group of Seven countries, detailing new current sanctions and anticipated future sanctions being imposed on Russia: We the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) remain resolved to stand with the Ukrainian people and government who heroically resist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s […]

Japan January Household Spending Rebounds Y/Y on Less Strict Covid Rules

–Spending in January Dips Vs. December Amid Omicron-Led Spike in Covid Cases –Ministry Sees Spending As Largely Flat, To Watch Impact of Restrictions on February By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s household spending slipped back on the month in January, hit by the drag from the Omicron-led spike in Covid cases, but posted the first […]

Foreign Ministers of Russia and Ukraine Complete Unproductive Meeting in Turkey

(MaceNews) – Foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine, Sergei Lavrov and Dmitry Kuleba, completed their meeting in the Turkish Mediterranean resort town of Antalya, the highest-level meeting between the two post-Soviet states on the15th day of shocking bloodshed in Europe since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24th. There was no progress to report but the […]

Japan Q4 GDP Growth Unexpectedly Revised Down on Softer Consumption 

— Capex Shows Slight Downward Revision Vs. Projected Upward Revision — Public Works Revised Down As Expected, Its Negative Contribution Unrevised — Q1 GDP Growth Seen Slower Amid Covid Restrictions, Rising Costs, Ukraine By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s economic rebound in the October-December quarter was unexpectedly revised down slightly as consumer spending turned out […]

Preview: Japan Q4 GDP Rebound Seen Revised Up Slightly on Capex

— Private Consumption To Remain Key Growth Driver in Revised Data — Forecasts for Firmer Capex, Weaker Public Works Based on MOF Survey — Q1 GDP Growth Expected To Slow; BOJ January Consumption Index Slumps By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s economic rebound in the October-December quarter is likely to be revised up slightly as […]

Japan January Unemployment Edges Up To 2.8% Amid Covid Restrictions

— Job Cuts Y/Y Deeper in Wholesale, Retail, Education— Hospitality Jobs Up on January 2021, When Covid State of Emergency Imposed By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Job creation in Japan remained weak in January compared to a year earlier and the unemployment rate edged up from December as more people either lost their jobs or […]