— Japan July Coincident CI -0.3 Pts M/M; June Revised +2.3 Pts

TOKYO (MNI) – Japan’s coincident composite index (CI), which
reflects current business conditions, fell an unrevised 0.3 point to
107.1 in July (preliminary 109.0) as the output recovery from the March
earthquake disaster has nearly peaked out, Cabinet Office data showed on
Tuesday.

The data showed that the coincident composite index posted the
first fall in four months in July following a revised 2.3-point drop in
June (preliminary -2.7 points).

Eight out of the 11 sub-indexes comprising the coincident index
fell in July, including overtime working hours, large-lot electricity
consumption and sales at small businesses.

The composite index was set at 100 in the 2005 base year.

Other details from the latest data follow:

The leading composite index, which measures the state of the
economy three months ahead: July revised 104.6 (+2.0 points m/m) vs.
preliminary 106.0 (+2.7 points), June revised 102.6 (+3.3 points),
posting the third m/m rise in a row.

The lagging CI, which reflects economic conditions three months
ago: July revised 88.6 (-0.6 point m/m) vs. preliminary 90.0 (-0.6
point), June revised 89.2 (-0.2 point), now marking the third straight
monthly drop.

tokyo@marketnews.com
** Market News International Tokyo Newsroom: 81-3-5403-4835 **

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