Japan Feb Construction Orders -1.8% Y/Y, 1st Fall in 5 Months

TOKYO (MNI) – The value of construction orders received by the 50
largest contractors in Japan fell 1.8 % in February from a year earlier
to Y857.6 billion, the first fall in five months, the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said on Friday.

The February reading made a reversal from rises of 24.6% in
January, 1.5% in December, 21.0% in November and 24.3%in October.

The breakdown for the latest month follows:

— Domestic private sector: -7.1% y/y at Y538.7 billion, the first
fall in five months.

— Public sector: +18.6% y/y at Y244.2 billion, a second straight
rise.

— Overseas: -19.0% y/y at Y34.3 billion, the first fall in two
months

tokyo@marketnews.com
** MNI Tokyo Newsroom: 81-3-5403-4835 **

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