> Japan – Industrial Production for February (preliminary reading): -2.3% m/m (vs. expected 0.3%)

Japan – Industrial Production for February (preliminary reading): -2.3% m/m (vs. expected 0.3%)

Eamonn Sheridan

Sunday, 30/03/2014 | 23:50 GMT-0

For the m/m the prior was 3.8%

For the y/y, 6.9% (vs. expected was 9.9%, prior was 10.3%)

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March output forecast is at +0.9% m/m (forecast by surveyed manufacturers)
April output forecast is at -0.6% m/m (forecast by surveyed manufacturers)

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Not a good result at all for February industrial production. The retail sales tax is to be hiked tomorrow, from 5% to 8%. Eyes in coming months will be on economic data from after the tax rise, signs of a slowing economy are going to increase calls and expectations for further BOJ easing, you would think.