Tag - economic indicators

 
 

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Lisa Cook (right) is sworn in to become a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors by Powell, at the central bank's headquarters in Washington on May 23. Trump this week said he is firing Cook over alleged improprieties in obtaining mortgage loans.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Aug 27, 2025
Fed's credibility is an asset whose decline could be costly
Once eroded, markets will see monetary policy decisions from the central bank as likely to be more politically motivated.
Summers in Japan have grown hotter and hotter, and people have had to spend more money as a result.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 25, 2025
Tokyo household budgets further squeezed by heat wave
On average, monthly expenses are up more than $23 a month as a result of high temperatures.
Consumer prices in Japan rose 3.1% from a year earlier in July, slowing from a 3.3% gain in the previous month but still suggesting that inflation remains relatively sticky.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 22, 2025
Japan’s inflation hovers well above BOJ’s goal even as it slows
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 3.1% from a year earlier in July, slowing from a 3.3% gain a month earlier.
Japan's core machinery orders rose 3.0% in June, the first increase in three months.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 20, 2025
Japan's core machinery orders up 3.0% in June
The private-sector orders — which exclude those for ships and equipment used at power utilities — amounted to ¥941.2 billion.
Exports fell 2.6% in value in July from a year earlier, posting the biggest downturn since February 2021, led by cars, auto parts and steel.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 20, 2025
Japan’s exports tumble most in four years as U.S. tariff pain intensifies
Exports fell 2.6% in value from a year earlier, sliding more than the median forecast of a 2.1% decline, the Finance Ministry has reported.
Toyota Motor Land Cruisers are parked, bound for shipment, at the Port of Nagoya in Tokai, Aichi Prefecture, in April.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 16, 2025
Listed Japan firms log 11% quarterly profit drop
The decreases comes as tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump weighed heavily on automakers.
A screen displays share prices inside the Kabuto One building in Tokyo. The Nikkei 225 closed at a record high of 43,378.31 on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 15, 2025
Tokyo stocks hit closing-price record as GDP surprises
The Japanese economy grew much faster than expected in the second quarter.
GDP grew at an annualized pace of 1% in the three months through June from the prior period, surpassing economists’ forecast of a 0.4% gain, according to the Cabinet Office.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 15, 2025
Japan growth beats forecasts, boosting rate-hike case for BOJ
Better-than-expected economic growth has given Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba some good news as he fends off calls to resign after July's election setback.
The rise in household consumption spending in Japan in June was driven by a 30.1% jump in spending to buy automobiles and motorcycles, and higher electricity bills.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 8, 2025
Japan's household spending rises 1.3% in June
The average spending by households with two or more members was ¥295,419 ($2,000).
The government revised its real growth projection for fiscal year 2025 to 0.7%, down from the previous forecast of 1.2%.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 8, 2025
Japan lowers this year’s growth forecast as tariffs kick in
The downgrade partly reflects a darkening global economic outlook as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
The average wage hike rate among major Japanese firms this year hit 5% for the second straight year.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 7, 2025
Major Japan firms set record with pay hikes above 5% for second year
This year's average raise of 5.39% was the second biggest since comparable data became available in 1976.
A cargo ship at the port of Oakland, California, on Aug. 4
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 6, 2025
U.S. trade deficit narrowed 16% in June as high tariffs cast shadow on services
Days after reporting that the goods trade deficit fell to its lowest since September 2023, the U.S. said the full deficit including services was also its narrowest since then.
Nominal wages in Japan rose 2.5% in June from a year earlier, accelerating from a revised 1.4% gain the previous month, according to the labor ministry.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 6, 2025
Japan’s nominal pay rises faster in June, backing case for BOJ rate hike
Nominal wages increased 2.5% in June from a year earlier, accelerating from a revised 1.4% gain the previous month and marking the steepest increase since February.
BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks during a news conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 3, 2025
BOJ watchers bring forward next rate hike call after trade deals
The view has emerged after clarity over trade increased with U.S. President Donald Trump announcing deals, including one with Japan.
Japan's seasonally adjusted effective job-to-applicant ratio dipped to 1.22 in June, down 0.02 point from the previous month, according to the labor ministry.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 1, 2025
Japan's jobs-to-applicant ratio falls to 1.22 in June
It marked a second consecutive month of decreases as more people entered the job market amid soaring prices of food and other goods.
Industrial production gained 1.7% from the previous month, according to the industry ministry.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 31, 2025
Factory output gain in Japan shows firms’ resilience amid tariffs
Though economists had expected a 0.8% loss, industrial production gained 1.7% from the previous month while output rose 4% from a year earlier, topping expectations of a 1.3% gain.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda. The central bank is expected to remain cautious until the fall.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 29, 2025
Bank of Japan likely to hold key rate at 0.5% as tariff breakthrough evaluated
Political uncertainty may also weigh on the policy board's decision this week.
Citing strong vehicle sales and a rise in domestic and foreign tourists, the Finance Ministry upgraded its economic outlook for Okinawa Prefecture.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 29, 2025
Finance Ministry upgrades economic view on Okinawa
For production, the ministry downgraded its view on the Hokuriku region and the Kinki region but upgraded that on Okinawa.
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues are deliberating on interest rates this week.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 28, 2025
Pressure mounts on Fed chief Powell in tee-up to GDP and jobs data
Fed officials are meeting this week as the government issues reports on gross domestic product, employment and the central bank’s preferred price metrics.
While the pace of gains in consumer prices in the capital slowed in July from a year earlier, the data send a fresh reminder that households are still coping with higher living costs overall.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 25, 2025
Tokyo inflation slows while staying well above BOJ’s target
A decline in utility costs helped slow the overall gauge, but households are still coping with higher living costs overall.

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