US ISM Services Sector Heats Up in February, Takes PMI to More Than 3-Year High as Firms Meeting Demand by Controlling Tariff-Induced Cost Rise
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The U.S. services sector revved up sharply in February to extend its expansionary phase into a 20th month as firms have managed to absorb higher costs triggered by stiff import duties imposed under the protectionist U.S. trade policy, indicating a resilient labor market and solid economic growth in the first […]
US ISM Manufacturing PMI Stays in Expansionary State in February but Many Firms Complain US Tariffs Boosting Procurement Costs
–ISM’s Spence: Wouldn’t Be Surprised If Price Pressure Continued in Light of Heightened Tensions in Middle East By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity stayed in expansionary territory in February after springing back to life from a year-long slumber the previous month but firms are blaming the protectionist trade policy under President Donald Trump […]
Japan Week Ahead: PM Takaichi Faces Biggest Challenge in Office as Nation Braces for Major Crude Oil Supply Disruption, Return of Higher Energy Costs
–Japan Expected to Tide Over Impact of Temporary Iranian Blockade of Strait of Hormuz Despite Its Heavy Reliance on Middel East Oil, Gas By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Just as parliamentary debate on the fiscal 2026 budget has shifted to the key budget committee of […]
RECAP, U.S. and Israel officials waiting confirmation ongoing attempt to decapitate Iran’s leadership has been successful; Trump urges govt takeover
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The broad U.S. and Israel attack Saturday on Iran, which is said to include hundreds of targets over several days, has triggered retaliatory missile attacks on U.S. bases in the region. Iran claims a girls school with several dozen casualties was among the targets. President Trump urged Iran’s people to now take […]
Update: IMF Official: BOJ Expected to Raise Policy Rate to 1.5% by Two 25-Basis Point Hikes This Year, One Next Year
–Updates with Official Remarks at Briefing, Background –IMF: BOJ Policy Interest Rate Below Estimated Neutral Rate, Echoing Recent Comments of BOJ Governor Ueda –IMF: Continued Unwinding of Monetary Stimulus to Lift BOJ’s Overnight Rate to Neutral In 2027 –IMF Advises Against Lowering 10% Sales Tax, Hails PM Takaichi Plan to Suspend it for 2 Years […]
BofA Global Research Fund Manager Survey: Fund Managers Stay Bullish in February
–Investors Favor Eurozone, EM Markets over U.S. By Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – Global fund managers remained “uber-bullish” in February, according to the latest Bof Global Fund Managers survey, released Tuesday. Given this mindset, any rise in asset prices during the first quarter of 2026 may prove “much harder when all positioned for it,” […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Exports Up 11.9%, Imports Up 3.1% on Year in January
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 20260850 JST (2350 GMT/1850 EST Tuesday, Feb. 17) The Ministry of Finance releases January trade.Mace News survey median: exports +11.9% y/y (range: +4.9% to +14.5%) vs. Dec. +5.1%; imports +3.1% y/y (range: -2.4% to +7.0%) vs. a revised +5.2% in December from +5.3; trade deficit ¥2,211.45 billion (range: a deficit of ¥2,461.70 […]
Japan Week Ahead: Prime Minister Takaichi Set to Be Re-Elected in Diet After Ruling Conservative Party LDP Clinches Supermajority in General Election
–Q4 GDP to Confirm Tepid Rebound, January Trade to Indicate Solid Export Growth, Q4 Machine Orders Seen Up, Inflation Easing Further By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will go through a largely ceremonial parliamentary vote on Wednesday to be re-elected after the […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Producer Price Rise Slowing to 2.3% Y/Y in January
Thursday, Feb. 12, 20260850 JST (2350 GMT/1850 EST Wednesday, Feb.11) The Bank of Japan releases the January corporate goods price index.Mace News median: CGPI +2.3% y/y (range: +2.0% to +2.4%) vs. Dec +2.4%; +0.2% m/m (range: -0.1% to +0.3%) vs. Dec +0.1% By Chikafumi Hodo (MaceNews) – Japan’s producer inflation is expected to rise on […]
Preview: Japan Q4 GDP to Rebound on Gains in Capex, Consumption, Exports, but Momentum Remains Weak
By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Backed by gains in capital investment, gradual rises in exports, and continuing modest recovery in private consumption, Japan’s real gross domestic product is expected to rebound and post its first positive growth in two quarters in the October–December period, following a sharp contraction in the previous quarter. Still, the […]