Core private-sector machinery orders rose a seasonally adjusted 7.5 percent in September for the first gain in four months, led by increased orders from the nonmanufacturing sector, the government said Thursday.
The value of the orders, widely regarded as a leading indicator of future capital spending, totaled ¥816.4 billion ($6.6 billion) but excluded orders for ships and from utilities because of their volatility.
Despite the monthly rise in September, orders in the July-September quarter plunged 10.0 percent from the previous quarter to ¥2.38 trillion, reflecting caution toward capital investment amid a slowdown in emerging economies including China.