Preview: Japan Q2 GDP to Post Modest Rebound After Slumping in Q1 but Consumption Remains Sluggish amid High Costs
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s gross domestic product for the April-June quarter is forecast to post a modest rebound after suffering its first contraction in two quarters in January-March, up 0.6% on quarter, or an annualized 2.3%, as consumption and business investment picked up from the drag of suspended output at Toyota group factories […]
BofA Global Research Fund Manager Survey: Global Investors Buy Bonds on Declining Global Growth Expectations
–US Recession Concern Top Tail Risk –Sixty percent of Managers Expect Four Or More Fed Cuts in Next 12 Months By Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – Global investors made a beeline into bonds in July, driven by declining world growth expectations, according to BofA Global Research’s monthly fund manager survey, released Wednesday. Jitters about […]
Japan June Producer Prices Up 3.0% Y/Y As Expected After 2.9% Rise in June; Utility Subsidies End, Global Demand for Lumber, Steel Picks Up Amid Rising Concerns Over Chinese Recovery
–Import Costs High as Yen Stayed Weak Before Firming on Stealth MOF Intervention at End-July, Fears of Faster BOJ Rate Hikes—Producer Inflation Remains Below Recent Peak of 10.6% in December 2022–Producer Prices Up 0.3% M/M on Utilities, Farm Produce, Summer Beverages, Cars By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Producer inflation in Japan continued accelerating to 3.0% […]
Bank of Japan Board Members See Upside Risks to Inflation Outlook at July Meeting; Some Note Low Real Rates, Others Warn of Weak Consumption
–One Member Estimates Minimum 1% Neutral Rate, Calls for Gradual Pace of Rate Hikes By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan board members called for a close watch on upside risks to their inflation outlook amid labor shortages and higher import costs, with a majority seeking to justify a follow-up interest rate by pointing […]
Japan June Overall Household Spending Dips Y/Y on Volatile Factors but Core Reading Records 1st Rise in 16 Months as Heat Wave Boosts Demand for Air Conditioners
–Consumers Remain Frugal, Switching to Discount Mobile Phone Plans–High Wage Hikes amid Labor Shortages Lead to 2nd Straight Rise in Average Household Income–Base Wages Mark Highest Growth in Nearly 3 Decades; Real Wages Up for 1st Time in 27 Months By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending posted its second straight year-over-year drop […]
ISM: US Services Sector Back in Growth in July After Unexpected Slip Back into Contraction in June; April-July Average Moderates to Early 2020 Pandemic Slump
–ISM Services Index at 51.4 Vs. 48.8 in June Vs. Median Forecast 51.0–Business Activity, New Orders, Employment All Rebound–Prices Paid Index Remains Elevated at 57 but Has Eased from Above 70, 80 in 2021 and Parts of 2022 By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The U.S. services sector rebounded largely as expected In July, backed by […]
US July ISM Manufacturing in Contraction for 4th Straight Month as Soft Demand, Job Cuts Continue, Firms Await Fed Rate Cut
–ISM Manufacturing Index Dips to 46.8 from 48.5 in June, Well Below Median Forecast of 48.8–ISM’s Fiore: Sector in Temporary Trough, Not Diving into New Slump–Fiore: Firms Concerned About Supply Chain Disruptions amid Geopolitical Risks–Fiore: US Election Also Generating Uncertainty Over Future Energy Policy By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity was in contraction […]
Bank of Japan Hikes Overnight Rate Target to 0.25% from Range of 0% to 0.1% in 7 to 2 Vote
–BOJ Releases Specific Plans to Trim its Monthly JGB Purchases to Y3 Trillion from Y6 Trillion by end of Q1 2026–BOJ Governor Ueda: Raised Rates Because Economy, Prices Have Been on Track–Ueda: Weak Yen Impact on Prices ‘Not Necessarily Biggest Reason’ for Rate Hike By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan said Wednesday […]
Japan June Retail Sales Up 3.7% Y/Y Rise Vs. 2.8% in May as Delayed Rainy Season Boosts Demand for Summer Clothing, Air Conditioners
–METI Upgrades View for 2nd Straight Month: Retail Sales on Uptrend Vs. Gradual Uptrend By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese retail sales rose 3.7% on year in June, above the consensus call of a 3.0% rise, with the pace of increase accelerating from a downwardly revised 2.8% gain in May, thanks to a delayed rainy […]
Japan June Industrial Production Dip 3.6% on Month, Hit by Renewed Auto Vehicle Output Suspension over Safety Scandal, Giving Up May’s 3.6% Rebound
–METI Survey: Factory Output Likely to Rise 4.0% in July, 0.7% in August— Japan Q2 Core Capital Goods Shipments +0.5% Q/Q Vs. -2.0% in Q1, Indicating Capex Rebound in Q2 GDP–Japan Q2 GDP Forecast to Post Modest 2% Annualized Growth After 2.9% Slump in Q1–METI Keeps View: Output Has Weakened While Taking One Step Forward, […]