Japan Week Ahead: Consumer Inflation in Capital, Jobless Rate Seen Tame, Iran War Squeezing Factory Output, Retail Sales Sluggish on Falling Real Wages
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. The preliminary GDP data for the January-March quarter released last week showed the economy has overcome a temporary contraction recorded in July-September last year, thanks to rebounds in net exports and public works as well as sluggish but resilient private […]
BofA Global Research Fund Manager Survey: Global Investors Sharply Reduce Cash, Dive into Equities
–Long Global Semiconductors Seen as Most Crowded Trade By Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – Global fund managers sharply reduced cash and dove into equities in May, according to the latest BofA Global Fund Managers survey, released Tuesday. The move was driven by “EPS optimism and a forecast of Fed rate cuts,” the survey said. […]
Japan Week Ahead: Q1 GDP to Show Modest Growth, March Trade Balance Set to Slip Back into Deficit, Consumer Inflation Tame
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. The first quarter GDP data is expected to show the economy has overcome a temporary contraction in the July-September quarter last year, led by sluggish but resilient consumer spending and solid business investment in digitization. The weak yen and higher […]
Inflation Making Fed Officials Increasingly Prone To Keep Funds Rate As Is, If Not Higher
– Schmid: Inflation ‘Most Pressing Risk To The Economy’ – Hammack: FOMC Must Make ‘Tough Tradeoffs” to Guarantee Low Inflation By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – With the war against Iran worsening price pressures in the United States, Federal Reserve officials are not only leaning toward keeping monetary policy on hold indefinitely, they seem increasingly […]
Forecast: Japan Q1 GDP Seen Extending Growth Streak as Public Investment, Exports Support Economy
By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s real gross domestic product is projected to post a second consecutive quarter of growth in January-March, supported by firmer exports despite ongoing U.S. tariffs, while solid public investment, modest gains in private consumption and steady capital expenditure likely also contributed to growth. The economy is expected to expand […]
Japan Week Ahead: US Treasury Secretary Bessent Goes to Tokyo on Way to US-China Summit, Meeting PM Takaichi, Others, After Suspected Japan FX Intervention
–Household Spending Seen Sluggish amid Rising Costs, Producer Inflation Accelerating on Mideast Conflict By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Trading returns to normal after the Golden Week holidays that ended on Wednesday, May 6. Government policymakers have also returned from international meetings and diplomatic visits. The […]
Preview: Japan’s Retail Sales Expected Up in March As Store Sales Improve
Thursday, April 30, 2026 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Wednesday, April 29) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases March retail sales. Mace News median: +1.0% y/y (range: -0.4% to +1.8%) vs. Feb revised to -0.1% from -0.2%; +0.4% m/m (range: -0.8% to +1.4%) vs. Feb -2.0% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Jobless Rate Flat Again at 2.6% with Uptick in Employment
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Monday, April 27) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases March jobs. Mace News median: 2.6% (range: 2.6% to 2.7%)vs. 2.6% in Feb after posting 2.7% in Jan and 2.6% in the previous five months from August to December By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – […]
Japan Keeps Cautiously Optimistic Economic Outlook as Bulls Drive Tokyo Stocks Higher on Hopes of End to Mideast Conflict, Resumed Gulf Shipping
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government continues to expect a gradual economic recovery, backed by strong demand for investment in artificial intelligence, while Tokyo stock markets keep flirting with record highs on hopes of an end to the Iran war that would allow reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for oil and gas […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan CPI Inflation Steady in March Report from February
0830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Thursday, April 23) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases March CPI. Mace News median: total CPI +1.4% y/y (range: +1.2% to +1.6%) vs. Feb +1.3%; core CPI (ex-fresh food) +1.6% y/y (range: +1.5% to +1.9%) vs. Feb +1.6%; core-core CPI (ex-fresh food, energy) +2.4% y/y (range +2.3% to […]