US ISM Services Sector Afloat over Optimism for Better Business in 2026 but AI Boom Causing Capacity Concerns; Overall Cost Pressures Remain High
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The U.S. services sector posted a 19th straight month of expansion in January on general optimism that things will turn around in 2026 in the aftermath of Trump tariff storms but the pace of activity was flat on the month as data center expansion is causing capacity concerns and rising […]
Japan Week Ahead: Newspapers Predict PM Takaichi’s LDP Likely to Win Simple Majority in General Election but Warn Things Could Change Closer to Feb. 8 Vote
–Household Spending Seen Indicating Resilient Consumption in Q4 GDP Expected to Post Rebound After Economy’s 1st Contraction in 6 Quarters in Q3 By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. So, there was no actual market intervention by the Ministry of Finance to sell dollars for yen last […]
Preview: Japanese Household Spending Expected Up 0.1% on Year in December with Ongoing Boost from Autos
Friday, Feb. 6, 20260830 JST (2350 GMT/1830 EST Thursday, Feb. 5) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases the December and the annual 2025 average household spending. Mace News median forecasts: +0.1% y/y (range: -3.7% to +1.0%) vs. Nov +2.9%; -0.4% m/m (range: -3.5% to +0.1%) vs. Nov +6.2% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) […]
FOMC Chooses Middle Ground, With No Rate Cut and Inflation Only ‘Somewhat Elevated,’ Unemp Showing Some Signs of Stabilization
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is the text of Wednesday afternoon’s Federal Open Market policy statement: Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has shown some signs of stabilization. Inflation remains somewhat elevated. The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japanese Unemployment Rate Flat at 2.6% in Jan.
Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1830 EST Thursday, Jan. 29) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases December jobs. Mace News median:2.6% (range: 2.5% to 2.6%)vs. 2.6% in the previous four months, over 5-year low of 2.3% in July, 2.5% from March to June By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s seasonally […]
Preview: Forecasters See Tokyo CPI +1.8% on Year in Jan.
Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1830 EST Thursday, Jan. 29) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases January Tokyo CPI Mace News median: total CPI +1.8% y/y (range: +1.6% to +1.9%) vs. Dec +2.0%; core CPI (ex-fresh food) +2.2% (range: +2.1% to +2.2%) vs. Dec +2.3%; core-core CPI (ex-fresh food, energy) +2.6% […]
Japan Govt Continues to See Modest Economic Recovery on Sustained Wage Hike Prospects, Brighter Consumer Sentiment amid Easing Inflation
By Max Sato –Japan Downgrades View on World Economy For 1st Time In 8 Months Amid Weaker Chinese Data, Uncertainty Over US Trade Policy–Bank of Japan Expected to Stand Pat for Now, on Gradual Normalization Path After 25-bp Policy Rate Hike to 30-Year High of 0.75% in December (MaceNews) – Japanese government policymakers repeated their […]
Japan Week Ahead: PM Takaichi’s LDP Faces Tough Headwinds from New Opposition Force in Upcoming General Elections; Economic Data to Show Export Resilience, Easing Inflation
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to hold a news conference on Monday evening (in the early hours of Monday, Jan. 19 in the Eastern time zone) to officially announce that she will call a snap election at the start […]
Fed’s Bowman Reaffirms Support for Additional Cuts In Federal Funds Rate
– Warns Against Signaling ‘Pause’ By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – A number of Federal Reserve officials have expressed hesitancy, if not outright opposition, about cutting interest rates further in recent days, but Vice Chairman for Supervision Michelle Bowman emphatically renewed her support for additional rate cuts Friday. Bowman joined Governor Stephen Miran in supporting […]
Japan November Household Spending Posts Unexpected Rebound on Autos in Routine Data Sample Shuffle, More Shopping Days, Winter Clothing Needs
–Many Remain Frugal Amid High Costs of Living, Trimming Gift Money and Switching to More Affordable Mobile Phone Plans By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending posted an unexpected rebound in November, up a decent 2.9% on year (vs. consensus -1.4%), led mainly by a jump in automobile purchases due to a routine […]