Preview: Bank of Japan to Keep 0.5% Policy Rate for 3rd Straight Meeting in Gradual Tightening Process, Focus on Fiscal 2026 Pace of JGB Purchase Slowdown
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan is set to leave its policy interest rate for the third meeting in a row on Tuesday in a gradual tightening process amid the uncertainty sparked by the protectionist U.S. trade policy but the focus is on its mid-term review as to how drastically it should […]
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 […]
Japan Still Sees Gradual Economic Recovery Despite Trump Tariffs; Trade Conflicts Continue Clouding Outlook amid Front-Loading Purchases, Pullback in Demand
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government remains cautiously optimistic, sticking to its long-held conviction that the economy should be able to weather both external shocks on already sluggish growth and a cost-led surge in domestic inflation, repeating it is expected to stay on a “modest recovery” track. In its monthly report for June released […]
Japan Weekahead: Producer Inflation Seen Slowing Further on Falling Fuel Prices as PM Ishiba, Opposition Leaders Set to Debate High Costs, US Trade Talks amid Snap Election Chatter
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic and political events for the coming week. REVISED 1Q GDP REPORT –Monday, June 9, 2025 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Sunday, June 8) The Cabinet Office releases revised (second preliminary) GDP for January-March Mace News median: -0.2% q/q (range -0.5% to -0.1%) vs. prelim […]
ISM: US Services Sector Posts 1st Contraction in 11 Months in May as Trade War Sparks Supply Chain Chaos
–ISM Services Index 49.9 Vs. 51.6, Well Below Consensus (52.0)–ISM’s Miller: Weak PMI Not Indicative of Severe Contraction but Caused by Uncertainty–Miller: Firms Cautious About Placing Orders Until Trade Tariff Impact Becomes Clearer By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The U.S. services sector slipped into contraction in May after growing for 10 months, hit by significantly […]
Preview: Japan Q1 GDP’s 0.7% Annualized Drop Seen Unrevised, 1st Contraction in 4 Quarters Caused by High Costs of Living, Falling Real Wages
–Q1 Slump Led by Technical Pullback in Net Exports, Flat Consumption Despite Solid Capex Gain–Q2 GDP Likely to Post 2nd Straight Drop as High Costs for Food, Energy Linger, Exports Sluggish amid Trade Rows By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The second reading of Japan’s GDP data is expected to confirm that the wobbly domestic economy […]
US ISM Manufacturing Stays in Contraction in May as Trade Rows Keep Outlook Uncertain, Causing Supply Chain Chaos
–ISM Manufacturing Index at 48.5 Vs. 48.7 in April, Below Consensus at 49.1–ISM New Chair Spence: Agree with Predecessor Fiore that US Economy Not Yet in Recession but PMI Moving in That Direction–Spence: Manufacturing Sector Will Continue Struggling Until There is More Certainty Over US Trade Policy–Spence: Layoffs Main Option for Firms as They Reduce […]
Fed Officials Still Hopeful About Economy, In No Rush to Cut Interest Rates
– Divergent Views Have Emerged But for Now Officials United on Need For Patience By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – As the Federal Reserve approached its mid-year monetary policy meeting, Fed officials have given few signs this week that they are prepared to change their “moderately restrictive” interest rate settings any time soon. While officials […]
Japan Keeps Gradual Economic Recovery Outlook Against Global Trade War, Domestic Inflation Headwinds
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government continued to put on a brave face on the global trade war and politically explosive food price inflation, maintaining its cautiously optimistic domestic economic outlook for the ninth straight month, saying the economy is expected stay on a “modest recovery” track. In its monthly report for May released […]
TRANSCRIPT: Fed’s Powell Says Wait and See Effects of Tariffs on Inflation, Unemployment
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Wednesday said in several different ways the Fed has to wait and see whatever effects on inflation and unemployment come from whatever the ultimate tariff rates are imposed on China and other countries – and beyond that, he said very little more. A transcript of the post-FOMC […]