US ISM Manufacturing Growth Slows in April on China Lockdowns, High Prices
–ISM: Manufacturing Sector at Pause as Buyers Wait for Prices to Come Down –ISM: Supply Constraints Not Getting Worse; ‘Very Concerned’ Over China Port Situation –ISM: No Indication of Softening Demand in US Despite Q1 GDP Contraction By Max Sato (MaceNews) – US manufacturing activity growth slowed in April, hit by labor shortages, high prices […]
Japan March CPI Rise Accelerates on Energy, Food; Subsidies Cap Gasoline Prices 
–Both Core and Total CPI Measures Mark 7th Straight Y/Y Gains –Utilities Continue Pushing Up Energy; Durable Goods Price Drop Eases –Most of Base Effects of Sharp Mobile Phone Fee Discounts To Fade in April –Fiscal 2021 Total, Core Inch Up, Core-Core (Ex-Fresh Food, Energy) Posts 1st Drop in 9 Years By Max Sato (MaceNews) […]
Japan March, Fiscal 2021 Exports Hit Record Highs, Imports Surge at Faster Pace
–Imports Also at Record High on Energy, Leading to 8th Straight Trade Deficit –Exports to China Slower in March, Volumes Down on Year –Auto Exports Slip in March After February Rebound Amid Supply Bottlenecks By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese exports hit a record high in March, marking the 13th straight year-on-year increase, on reopening […]
Japan March Producer Prices Up 9.5% Vs. 9.7% in February, Crude Oil Cost Rise Moderates 
–Japan Producer Prices +0.8% M/M, Led by Electric Power, Chemicals –Japan Producer Prices Rebound 7.3% in Fiscal 2021 After 1.4% Drop By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Producer inflation moderated slightly in March but remained high above 9%, close to a 41-year high, as global supply bottlenecks and high energy costs continued amid uncertainty over the […]
Italy Raises Pressure on EU To Cap Gas Import Prices, Ready to Adopt National Measures If EU Deal Is Delayed – Sources
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Rome’s government is raising pressure on European Union institutions to place a EU-wide cap on imported gas prices to shield families and business from an extraordinary spike in energy bills that is weakening the bloc’s economy, according to ruling coalition sources. The proposal faces opposition from Germany and Holland. […]
<strong>Japan Govt Sees Economic Pickup Signs, Warns of Downside Risks from Inflation, Markets, War </strong>
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Friday maintained its overview that the economy is showing signs of a pickup amid some soft spots as Covid cases appear to have peaked, but also warned that rising prices, volatile financial markets, and the war in Ukraine could heighten downside risks, according to its monthly report released […]
<strong>St. Louis Fed’s Bullard: Get Funds Rate To Neutral Or Higher To Curb Inflation</strong>
– Fed Has ‘Long Ways To Go” To Hike Rates; Should Move Faster Than In Past – After Starting ‘Passive Runoff’ Of Balance Sheet May Need To Sell Assets – Despite Ukraine, U.S. Economy Will Grow Above Potential, Further Reduce Unemployment By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – With inflation “way over” the Federal Reserve’s 2% […]
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 […]
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 […]