We got a some better than expected data flow from Japan earlier in the session:
- Japan, final Q4 GDP 0.5% q/q (preliminary was 0.3%)
- Japan January household spending: 2.0% y/y (expected -0.5%)A
A couple of recaps about, but first, check this out from Bloomberg economist:
- "Looking ahead, January's weak retail sales, housing starts, and industrial production -- particularly auto output -- suggest the economy was on wobbly footing early in 1Q. Corporate plans for machine orders in 1Q and capital goods shipments for January point to weaker capex."
A few downers there in the comments.
Recaps here:
