DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Japan's factory activity shrinks at slowest pace in six months, data shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Japan's manufacturing activity shrank at the slowest pace in six months in April on a softer decline in sales, while the service-sector stayed solid, a preliminary survey showed on Friday, suggesting a patchy post-Covid economic recovery. The au Jibun Bank flash Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to a seasonally adjusted 49.5 in April, from a final 49.2 in the previous month. The index remained below the 50-level that separates contraction from expansion for a sixth straight month in April, pointing to the persistent struggles for factories even though the worst appeared to be over for the sector. On the plus side, service-sector activity expanded for an eight straight month in April supported by gains in new orders and new export business, the same survey showed.

☆ Japan's March service-sector grows at fastest rate in over nine years - PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

April 5 (Reuters) - Japan's services sector activity at the fastest pace in over nine years in March, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday, suggesting that the post-COVID bounce was gathering steam and providing some offset to a still-weak factory sector. The final au Jibun Bank Japan Services purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to a seasonally adjusted 55.0 last month, from February's 54.0, marking the quickest rate of expansion since October 2013. The subindexes of new orders and overseas demand grew for a seventh month, rising at the fastest pace since February 2019 and December 2022, respectively. The subindex for employment expanded for a second month and at the fastest pace in ten months, as workloads and business expansion plans increased. The composite PMI, which combines the manufacturing and services figures, grew at the fastest pace since June 2022.

☆ Asia's factory activity weakens as global demand falters
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"With global growth set to remain weak in the coming quarters, we expect manufacturing output in Asia to remain under pressure," said Shivaan Tandon, emerging Asia economist at Capital Economics. South Korea's PMI fell to 47.6 in March from 48.5 in February, contracting at the fastest pace in six months as export orders took a hit from weak global demand. Vietnam and Malaysia saw factory activity shrink in March, while that of the Philippines expanded at a slower pace than in February, surveys showed. While indications are that the U.S. Federal Reserve will pause its tightening cycle soon, the outlook remains clouded by the banking-sector troubles, still-high inflation and slowing global growth. "Given much of the drag from higher interest rates is yet to feed through to advanced economies, we expect global growth and demand for Asia's exports to remain weak in the coming quarters," Capital Economics' Tandon said.

☆ Oil prices jump in blow to global inflation hopes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Brent oil futures jumped $4.30 to $84.19 a barrel on news output would be cut by around 1.16 million barrels per day, while U.S. crude climbed $4.17 to $79.84. The change comes before a virtual meeting of an OPEC+ ministerial panel, which includes Saudi Arabia and Russia. "That means that oil markets may potentially see around 1% of global oil supply or more being curtailed from May." The latest reductions could lift oil prices by $10 per barrel, the head of investment firm Pickering Energy Partners said on Sunday. The rise in oil prices is bad news for Japan's trade balance given it imports most of its energy.

Asia-Pacific markets are set to rise on Friday after Wall Street's rally overnight as investor concerns over higher U.S. interest rates continued to linger. Japanese markets are set to open higher, with the Nikkei futures contract in Chicago at 27,710, and its counterpart in Osaka at 27,700 against the Nikkei 225's last close at 27,498.87. Key economic data is set to come out across the region, with Japan seeing its unemployment rate for January come in at 2.4%, the lowest level since February 2020. The country will also see the release of its services purchasing managers index for February by au Jibun Bank. China will release its services PMI data for February from Caixin, while a private survey on factory activity for February will be out in India on Friday.

"This is an encouraging set of data, but still is only one month, and challenges remain." Global oil prices went higher, underlining how a strong Chinese recovery could fuel global inflation through increased energy demand. STUBBORN INFLATIONIn Europe, German data showed the fight against inflation still has some way to go. Factory activity continued to shrink in Taiwan and Malaysia in February, and expanded at a slower pace in the Philippines, surveys showed. Separate data showed South Korea's exports fell 7.5% in February from a year earlier, marking the fifth straight month of declines, partly due to a plunge in semiconductor exports.

☆ Japan factory activity shrinks the most in 2-1/2 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, March 1 (Reuters) - Japan's factory activity shrank in February at the fastest pace in over two years, a private survey showed, highlighting companies' struggles amid a global economic slowdown, raw material inflation and policymakers' calls for higher wages. The final au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index released on Wednesday fell to 47.7 in February from January's 48.9. Manufacturing output and new orders contracted for an eighth consecutive month and at the fastest rates in 31 months, the survey showed. On the brighter side, supplier delivery delays were the least prevalent in two years, the survey showed. The Bank of Japan remains an outlier in the current global monetary tightening phase, committing to maintaining ultra-low rates to shore up its COVID-ravaged economy.

☆ Asia's factory activity stalls, but China a bright spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

China's manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest pace in more than a decade in February, according to an official index, while a private sector survey also showed activity rising for the first time in seven months. India and Australia saw economic growth slow in the quarter to December, and South Korea's exports fell in February for a fifth straight month, highlighting the pain slowing global demand was inflicting on the region's manufacturers. The region's weaker data underscores the challenge Asian policymakers face in reining in inflation with higher interest rates, without choking off their economic recoveries already facing pressure from the global economic slowdown, analysts say. Factory activity continued to shrink in Taiwan and Malaysia in February, and expanded at a slower pace than in January in the Philippines, surveys showed. Policymakers hope China's re-opening from COVID-19 curbs, and resilience seen so far in U.S. and European economies, will underpin global growth this year.

☆ Japan's factory activity shrinks at fastest pace in 2-1/2 years-PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The au Jibun Bank flash Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to a seasonally adjusted 47.4 in February, from a final 48.9 in the previous month. Factory output and new orders decreased for an eighth straight month and at faster rates than January, the sub-index data showed. By contrast, service-sector activity grew for a six month with further relaxation of domestic COVID-19 countermeasures. The au Jibun Bank flash services PMI rose to an eight-month-high of 53.6 seasonally adjusted in February from the previous month's 52.3 final. Overall, the au Jibun Bank Flash Japan composite PMI was at 50.7 in February, in line with last month's final figure, as the gloomy manufacturing index was offset by a rosy service PMI.

View of the Yarra River flowing through Melbourne city centre in Australia. Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall on Tuesday as investors await regional private surveys for factory activity. The PMI index encompasses services and manufacturing, and is seen as a reliable gauge of economic health. Reserve Bank of Australia will release minutes from its February policy meeting, when it hiked interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.35%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.16% and the Topix was marginally lower ahead of the au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Manufacturing PMI.

☆ Asia markets trade mixed after Wall Street's tech-fueled rally
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

NANJING, CHINA - JANUARY 31: People purchase lanterns at Nanjing Confucius Temple ahead of the Lantern Festival on January 31, 2023 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)Stocks in the Asia-Pacific were mixed on Friday after Wall Street's rally driven by technology stocks. The Nikkei 225 in Japan rose 0.28% and the Topix fell 0.09%. In South Korea, the Kospi also fell 0.06% at the open while the Kosdaq rose fractionally. The au Jibun Bank Japan Services Purchasing Managers' Index for January is slated to be published, after four months of readings marking growth.

☆ Asia's factory activity contracts despite China's COVID reopening
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

China's factory activity shrank more slowly in January after Beijing lifted tough COVID curbs late last year, a private sector survey showed. The data was contrasted with a better-than-expected official PMI survey issued on Tuesday. South Korea's factory activity contracted for a seventh straight month in January. Factory activity expanded in January in Indonesia and the Philippines but shrank in Malaysia and Taiwan, PMI surveys showed. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday slightly raised its 2023 global growth outlook on "surprisingly resilient" demand in the United States and Europe and the reopening of China's economy after Beijing abandoned its strict pandemic controls.

☆ Japan's factory activity extends declines for third straight month - PMI
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Japan's manufacturing activity contracted for a third straight month in January as export weakness persisted amid a worsening global outlook, a corporate survey showed on Tuesday. The au Jibun Bank flash Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) was at a seasonally adjusted 48.9 in January, unchanged from the final reading in the previous month. Factory output and new orders decreased for a seventh consecutive month, although at slower paces than last month, the sub-index data showed. The au Jibun Bank flash services PMI rose to a seasonally adjusted 52.4 in January from the previous month's 51.1 final, hitting a three-month high. Overall, the au Jibun Bank Flash Japan composite PMI rose to 50.8 in January, up from last month's final 49.7 and emerging above the break-even 50 line for the first time in three months.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as Fed signals more pain ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

South Korea's Kospi gained 0.16% despite Samsung Electronics reporting a nearly 70% fall in its final quart profits as expected . Markets in the Asia-Pacific traded mixed after the Federal Reserve signaled further rate hikes ahead. Japan is slated to release the latest Jibun Bank Composite Services purchasing manager's index reading. On Wall Street, the Dow closed 300 points lower as investors looked ahead to more jobs data scheduled to be released Friday stateside. Bed, Bath & Beyond shed nearly 30% after the company said it is short on cash and considering bankruptcy.

☆ Traders will anxiously watch the Bank of Japan
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Pete Sweeney | Thomson Reuters | Asia Economics Editor Pete Sweeney Joined Reuters Breakingviews In Hong Kong In September Previously He Served As Reuters' Chief Correspondent For China Economy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

HONG KONG, Dec 19 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Shorting the Bank of Japan (8301.T) is the trade of 2023. Gyrations in Japanese bond yields resulting from an abrupt increase in benchmark interest rates could force indebted domestic entities to dump overseas assets, roiling global markets. The question on traders’ collective mind is what happens when the central bank finally adjusts its “yield-curve control” policy, or YCC, which has held down government bond yields for more than six years. A higher-than-expected wage hike resulting from springtime negotiations could persuade officials that salaries are offsetting higher prices, bolstering the case for normalising interest rates. Meanwhile higher interest rates would allow Japanese companies to earn better returns on their 325 trillion yen ($2.4 trillion) cash hoard.

☆ Japan Dec factory activity contracts at fastest pace in 26 months
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Japan's manufacturing activity shrank at the fastest pace in more than two years in December on soft demand and persistent cost pressures, a corporate survey showed on Friday. The au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) was down to a seasonally adjusted 48.8 in December from a final reading of 49.0 in the previous month. Output and new orders extended their contraction for a sixth month in December, although at slower paces than last month. The au Jibun Bank flash services PMI rose to a seasonally adjusted 51.7 in December, from the previous month's 50.3 final, the survey showed. With subdued manufacturers and robust services, the au Jibun Bank Flash Japan composite PMI stood on the break-even line of 50.0, up from a final 48.9 last month.

☆ Asia's factory activity shrinks as China lockdown impact widens
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Amid the pandemic curbs, China's factory activity shrank in November, a private survey showed on Thursday. The figure followed downbeat data in an official survey on Wednesday that showed manufacturing activity had hit a seven-month low in November. South Korea's factory activity shrank for a fifth straight month in November but the downturn moderated slightly, possibly suggesting the worst was over for businesses. Lockdowns in China have hit production at a factory there that is the biggest producer of Apple Inc (AAPL.O) iPhones. Vietnam's PMI fell to 47.4 in November from 50.6 in October, while that for Indonesia slid to 50.3 from 51.8, the private surveys showed.

☆ Japan Nov factory activity shrinks at quickest pace in 2 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Cynthia Kim | Jihoon Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Japan's manufacturing activity contracted at the fastest pace in two years in November as demand worsened due to strong inflationary pressures, a business survey showed on Thursday. The au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) slipped to a seasonally adjusted 49.4 in November from a final reading of 50.7 in the previous month. Output contracted at the quickest pace in 26 months, falling for the fifth consecutive month, the survey results showed. Activity in the services sector stagnated even as new business inflows grew for a third straight month, the data showed. The au Jibun Bank Flash Services PMI Index came in at a seasonally adjusted 50.0 in November, down from the previous month's 53.2 final, the survey showed.

☆ Japan's service-sector activity growth hits 4-month high -PMI
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Japan's services sector activity grew at the fastest clip in four months in October, a private survey showed on Friday, as the easing of restrictions on foreign tourism and an improvement in domestic travel boosted sentiment. Despite the pickup in activity, however, high import costs heaped pressure on the sector as prices of fuel, energy and raw materials increased. "However, inflationary pressures currently being faced by Japan's service providers continued to present downside risks to the sectors potential growth." October's final reading was slightly better than a 53.0 flash figure released last month, the survey showed. The composite PMI, which is calculated by combining the manufacturing and services readings, stood at 51.8 in October, up from the previous month's 51.0 final.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said on Tuesday that its manufacturing PMI fell to 50.2 in October from 50.9 in September. China's Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI stood at 49.2 in October, up from 48.1 in September. The private sector survey was in line with an official PMI released on Monday that showed China's factory activity unexpectedly fell in October. Japan's au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing PMI fell to 50.7 in October from September's 50.8 final, marking the weakest growth since January last year. India was an outlier with factory activity expanding at a stronger pace in October as demand remained solid.

☆ Asia's factory output weakens on global slowdown, China COVID curbs
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The private sector survey was in line with an official PMI survey released on Monday that showed China's factory activity unexpectedly fell in October. Japan's au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing PMI fell to 50.7 in October from September's 50.8 final, marking the weakest growth since January last year. South Korea's factory activity shrank for a fourth month in October as orders for exports fell for an eighth month, the PMI showed. That followed data that showed South Korea's exports fell the most in 26 months with shipments to China, its largest market, extending declines. Factory activity in Indonesia expanded at a slower pace in October with the PMI standing at 51.8, down from 53.7 in September.

☆ Japan Oct factory growth hits 21-month low as China conditions worsen -PMI
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index fell to a seasonally adjusted 50.7 in October from September's 50.8 final. "The latest survey data signalled that Japan's manufacturing sector lost further momentum in October," said Laura Denman, economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey. "Sluggish markets and weaker demand conditions, on both a domestic and international level, became a recurring trend," she said, adding that worsening conditions in China and South Korea hurt Japan's exports last month. Output and overall new orders both contracted for the fourth straight month, the survey results showed. Business expectations jumped to a nine-month high despite prolonged pressure from high input costs, according to the survey.

☆ Japan October factory growth slows to 21-month low, but services pick up
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) eased to a seasonally adjusted 50.7 in October, down from the prior month's final 50.8. Growth in the services sector picked up, however. The au Jibun Bank Flash Services PMI Index expanded for a second month, rising to a seasonally adjusted 53.0 in October after September's 52.2 final, according to the survey. Earlier this month, Japan reopened its borders to individual foreign tourists after more than two years of pandemic isolation. The au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Composite PMI, which is estimated by using both manufacturing and services, also accelerated, rising to 51.7 from the prior month's final 51.0, it showed.

☆ Japan's factory activity expands at slowest pace in 20 months
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) slipped to a seasonally adjusted 51.0 in September from the prior month's final of 51.5. The headline figure marked the slowest expansion since January 2021, although it stayed above the 50-mark that separates contraction from expansion. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterIt was pulled down by struggling output and overall new orders, both of which contracted for the third consecutive month. The au Jibun Bank Flash Services PMI Index returned to expansion, coming in at a seasonally adjusted 51.9 in September from August's 49.5 final, the survey also showed. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by Sam HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Search resuls for: "Jibun Bank"

24 mentions found