Japan’s July factory output slips as COVID-19 hits car production
Japan’s industrial output shrank in July as car production took a hit from a coronavirus resurgence in Asia that has cast doubt over the recovery in the world’s third-largest economy.
Japan’s retail sales extend gains but COVID-19 challenges persist
Japan’s retail sales rose for a fifth straight month in July, beating expectations as the consumer sector continued its recovery, although a coronavirus resurgence has cast doubts over the spending outlook.
BOJ policymaker warns of global impact from chip crunch, Asia factory closures
A shortage of semiconductor chips may persist for the rest of this year if the coronavirus pandemic keeps Southeast Asian factories shut, a Bank of Japan policymaker said, highlighting supply constraints as among key risks to the global economy.
Japan’s private-sector activity hit by COVID-19 surge – PMI
TOKYO, Aug 23 (Reuters) – Japan’s factory activity growth slowed in August, while that of the services sector shrank at the fastest pace since May last year, highlighting the increasingly heavy toll a recent wave of COVID-19 infections is taking on the economy.
Japan’s exports extend gains, machinery orders fall amid fragile recovery
Japan’s exports marked a fifth straight month of double-digit growth in July, driven by U.S.-bound shipments of automobiles in a positive sign for a trade-led economy, although a key gauge of capital spending fell for the first time in four months.
Analysis: Debt in a warm climate: coronavirus and carbon set scene for default
Where COVID-19 has precipitated unprecedented debts, climate change could trigger defaults across a planet which a United Nations panel says is dangerously close to runaway warming.
Japan’s Q2 economic rebound likely feeble as COVID-19 impact persists
Japan’s economy likely recovered slightly in the second quarter from a steep slump at the start of the year, a Reuters poll showed, as solid exports and capital expenditure cushioned some of the blow to consumption from the coronavirus pandemic.
Dollar drifts higher as markets await jobs data for Fed clues
The dollar was supported on Friday in the lead up to the release of U.S. employment data, as markets braced for the numbers that could make the case for faster U.S. policy tightening at a time when action in Europe and Japan remains distant.
MORNING BID A new sunny day, with the same old clouds
It’s a new week, a new month and time for a fresh start – but the problems niggling at markets this morning are still the same.
Asia shares sit at 2021 lows ahead of Fed verdict
Asian shares stayed stuck at seven-month lows on Wednesday, as markets continued to digest a storm in Chinese equity markets, while the dollar rested with traders reluctant to place large bets ahead of the outcome of the Federal Reserve meeting.
