Fed Officials Still Lean Against Near-Term Rate Cuts Despite Job Losses…
By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Until very recently, it had become all but a foregone conclusion that the Federal Reserve would leave short-term interest rates unchanged at its mid-March meeting, and even beyond that there was little indication of a consensus for the resumption of rate cuts until later in the year. In the […]
Preview: Japan’s Revised Q4 GDP Seen Supported by Capex and Domestic Demand, Public Spending to Improve
Tuesday, March 10 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1850 EST Monday, March 9) Cabinet Office releases the revised GDP for October-December 2025.Mace News median: +0.3% q/q (range +0.2% to +0.4%) vs. Q4 prelim +0.1%; +1.3% annualized (range +0.8% to +1.5%) vs. Q4 prelim +0.2%; +0.3% y/y (range +0.2% to +0.4%) vs. Q4 prelim +0.1% By Chikafumi Hodo […]
Preview: Forecasters See Wide-Ranging Recovery in Japanese Household Spending
Tuesday, March 10, 20260830 JST (2350 GMT/1830 EST Monday, March 9) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases the January average household spending.Mace News median forecasts: +1.8% y/y (range: +0.6% to +5.2%) vs. Dec -2.6%; +0.6% m/m (range: -0.4% to +2.9%) vs. Dec -2.9% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending […]
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 […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Jobless Rate Flat in January as Labor Shortages Persist
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1830 EST Monday, March 2) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases January jobs. Mace News median:2.6% (range: 2.5% to 2.6%)vs. 2.6% in the previous five months, over 5-year low of 2.3% in July, 2.5% from March to June By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s seasonally […]
Most Fed Officials Content to Prolong Pause on Interest Rate Cuts
By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – As their mid-March monetary policy meeting draws nearer, Federal Reserve policymakers are seemingly becoming more firmly ensconced in a wait-and-see posture, hoping for more statistical clarification of the progress they’re making toward the Fed’s dual mandate objectives of “maximum employment” and “price stability” before considering further interest rate adjustments. […]
Japan’s Government Sticks to Modest Economic Recovery Outlook as Firms Tiding Over Trump Tariff Storms, Inflation Drifting Lower on Easing Food, Energy Costs
–PM Takaichi Quiet on BOJ’s Unwinding of Stimulus; Mainichi Says She Showed Reluctance to Further Rate Hikes in Recent Meeting with Governor Ueda –Government Nominates Academic Types with Possible Reflationary Bias to Replace Two Outgoing BOJ Board Members By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government continues to predict a modest economic recovery, noting that corporate […]