Most economists are sticking with their forecast on whether the Bank of Japan will add to its unprecedented monetary stimulus after Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda on Friday announced tweaks to the program, remaining sharply divided about what the central bank will likely do in 2016.
Only three of 25 economists said they are shifting their prediction by postponing the timing of more easing measures while the rest did not change their view, according to a Bloomberg survey conducted Monday. Ten economists foresee expanding the stimulus program by July and one predicted more easing in January 2017 or later. Fourteen projected no additional stimulus in the foreseeable future, the survey showed.
Japanese stocks fell for a second day Monday. The BOJ's decision Friday triggered roller-coaster moves in the market as it was initially perceived as an expansion of monetary stimulus, and then the market dropped when it became clear that Kuroda was making changes to the existing stimulus program.