Biden Admin Budget Proposals Hit Billionaires, Deficit

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – President Biden Monday afternoon formally unveils his fiscal 2023 federal government budget proposals, increasing military spending – which Republicans like – and inventing a new tax on unrealized capital gains aimed the the richest tier of Americans – which Republican pledge to kill as fast as possible. The White House fact sheet […]

Japan March Tokyo CPI Y/Y Rise Hits Over 2-Year High on Utilities, Processed Food

–Utilities Continue Leading Energy Costs Higher; Gasoline Rise Slows –Total CPI Also Pushed Up by Another Surge in Fresh Food Prices –Most Base Effects of Sharp Mobile Phone Charge Discounts To End This Month By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The year-on-year rise in consumer prices in Tokyo, the leading indicator of the national average, hit […]

Japan’s Eastern Areas Face Power Shortages After Quake Amid Winter Weather

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Japanese government issued a rare warning of power shortages in Tokyo and surrounding prefectures, urging businesses and households to cut electricity use by 10%, starting Tuesday, as heating demand is rising and supply is falling after last week’s major earthquake. The Japan Meteorological Agency is forecasting cold weather with […]

Japan February CPI Back on Gradual Rising Path, Led by Energy, Food

–Both Core and Total CPI Measures Mark 6th Straight Y/Y Gains –Utilities Continue Pushing Up Energy; Durable Goods on Downtrend –Hotel Fees Pick Up in February After Base Effects Fade in January –CPI Could Come Under Pressure Again If Govt Resumes Travel Subsidies By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Core and total consumer prices in Japan […]

Analysis: Japan PM Kishida to Face Bad Economic News After Omicron Storm

–Economists Revise Down Forecasts to Show Slight Contraction in 1Q By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is likely to face bad news on the economic front after barely surviving voter frustration over public health restrictions imposed about two months ago aimed at fighting a surge in Covid infections caused by the […]

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 […]