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.
German industrial orders bounce back, but supply bottlenecks weigh

German industrial orders rose more than twice as much as expected in June, driven by bookings from domestic clients for large manufacturing products, but weaker turnover suggested that supply bottlenecks continued to hold back production.
Daimler reports Q2 preliminary adjusted EBIT of $6.42 bln

Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler AG (DAIGn.DE) on Thursday reported preliminary adjusted group earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of 5.42 billion euros ($6.42 billion) for the second quarter, with car and truck divisions beating analyst targets.
U.S. consumer prices post largest gain in 13 years; inflation has likely peaked

U.S. consumer prices increased by the most in 13 years in June amid supply constraints and a continued rebound in the costs of travel-related services from pandemic-depressed levels as the economic recovery gathered momentum.
Volkswagen’s Mexico unit says it will resume production that was hit by chip shortage

Volkswagen AG’s (VOWG_p.DE) Mexico unit said on Sunday it expects to restart production of three segments from next week and in July after output was curtailed by a global semiconductor chip supply crunch.
U.S. senators propose 25% tax credit for semiconductor manufacturing

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Thursday proposed a 25% tax credit for investments in semiconductor manufacturing as Congress works to increase U.S. chip production.
Ford sees better-than-expected quarterly profit on higher vehicle prices

Ford Motor Co (F.N) said on Thursday its second-quarter operating profit will exceed expectations due to lower costs and rising prices for new and used vehicles amid the global semiconductor chip shortage.
Mexican auto parts lobby sees chip supply crunch over by December

Mexico’s main autopart association INA forecasts that the severe semiconductor chip shortage that has slammed the brakes on the global auto industry will subside in July and return to normal by the end of this year.
U.S. stocks end lower ahead of inflation report

Wall Street ended a see-saw session lower on Wednesday as market participants awaited inflation data for clues as to when the U.S. Federal Reserve might tighten its dovish monetary policy.