The Reuters tankan survey is intended to track the Bank of Japan's quarterly tankan survey.

January's out now:

Manufacturers index +35 in January vs +27 in December

  • 11 year high

Non-manufacturers index +33 (vs +34)

The index for manufacturers April seen at +35, non-manufacturers +29

Main points (via Reuters report):

  • corporate optimism driven by nearly two years of uninterrupted economic expansion and a buoyant stock market
  • The positive data should bolster the confidence of the central bank, which is set to issue a rosy view of the economy at its two-day policy-setting meeting ending on Tuesday
  • Stability in currencies, global demand for electronics and cars, and capital expenditure were cited among factors behind bullish manufacturing sentiment

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Reuters poll of 547 large and mid-sized companies

  • 255 companies responded
  • anonymous survey
  • January 4-17 polling period

Reuters Tankan's sentiment indexes subtract the percentage of companies saying conditions are poor from those saying conditions are good. A positive number means optimists outnumber pessimists.