Archive
Archive
October 2014 Industrial Production
Data Round-Up: Manufacturing Softens, But Trend Still Looks Reasonable
Preview of Data Releases: November 17 - 21, 2014
FMI’s Preview of this week’s major data releases for industrial production, consumer price index, housing starts, weekly initial unemployment claims and existing home sales.
Japan Back in Recession: Surprise GDP Drop
The big picture is that GDP in 2014, so far, remains worse than 1997. Not a single major forecaster predicted that GDP would drop in July-Sept. The consensus forecast was in the 2.2-2.5% range, depending on the survey.
TOE Alert: Abe Facing Down MOF-BOJ Over Tax Delay
From everything we hear, Abe is determined not only to call the early elections we discussed in our Nov. 11 Alert, but he is equally determined to postpone the next hike in the consumption tax from October 2015. Most likely he will postpone it until April 2017.
Data Round-Up: UI Claims Edge Up But Trend Undeniably Healthy
FMI’s review of the latest Weekly UI Claims & Rail Traffic results.
Data Round-Up: Small Businesses Plan Some Pick-Up In Hiring, Wages
FMI’s analysis of today’s October NFIB Small Business Optimism Index.
TOE Alert: Abe Almost Certain to Call Snap Election, Delay Second Tax Hike
Abe almost certain to call snap election for Lower House and delay hike in the consumption tax.
TOE Alert: Abe approval down again, so are real wages, TPP delayed, BOJ infighting, etc.
Abe’s approval ratings fell again; in the NHK poll, approval was down to 44% while disapproval was up to 38%.
Kuroda’s “Hail Mary” pass
In the face of a growing loss of faith in the Bank of Japan’s ability to either achieve its 2% inflation target in the foreseeable future or to help boost real growth—and even snarky passages in the press about BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda “stealthily extending the deadline for exiting deflation”—Kuroda threw a “Hail Mary” pass.
Data Round-Up: New Low for Unemployment, Hours Worked Point to Solid 14Q4 GDP
FMI’s analysis of this morning’s October Employment report.