— Japan Apr Prelim Coincident CI -0.2 Pt M/M; MNI Fcast -0.3 Pt
— Japan Govt Keeps View: CI Shows Economy is Improving
— Japan Apr Prelim Leading CI -1.3 Pt M/M; MNI Fcast -1.3 Pt
TOKYO (MNI) – Japan’s coincident composite index (CI), which
reflects current business conditions, marked the first drop in three
months in April, while the leading index posted the first fall in seven
months as the economy faces uncertainties about power supply and global
demand, preliminary Cabinet Office data showed Thursday.
The coincident CI fell 0.2 point to 96.5 after gaining 1.5 points
in March.
The consensus forecast among economists polled by MNI was for a
0.3-point fall.
In April, five out of the 11 sub-indexes comprising the coincident
index fell, led by retail sales and overtime working hours.
But the Cabinet Office maintained its overall assessment adopted
earlier this year, saying the composite index “shows that the economy is
improving.”
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: Apr 95.1 (-1.3 points m/m) vs. Mar 96.4
(+0.3 point), posting the first fall in seven months.
The lagging CI, which reflects economic conditions three months
ago: Apr 86.5 (-0.2 point m/m) vs. Mar 86.7 (+0.4 points m/m), marking
the first fall in three months.
tokyo@marketnews.com
** MNI Tokyo Newsroom: 81-3-5403-4835 **
[TOPICS: M$J$$$,M$A$$$,MAJDS$]
