And the Service sector index -3 in April (vs -5 in March)

Manufacturer sentiment has hit its highest in over 2 years, highest since February 2019.

Reuters cite:

  • strong demand in the electronics market
  • favourable exchange rate conditions boosted prospects for exporters

On the less positive side:

  • manufacturers highlighted uncertainty about the global economic outlook and cited problems with sourcing materials for production
  • still reluctance to nvest fearing further waves of coronavirus infections

For services, not so good but an improvement (to less pessimistic) on the month

  • index remained in contraction for the 14th straight month

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The Reuters Tankan poll is intended to track the quarterly Bank of Japan tankan survey.

  • poll of 482 large- and mid-sized companies, in which 243 firms responded
  • index readings are derived by subtracting the percentage of respondents who say conditions are poor from those who say they are good. A negative reading means pessimists outnumber optimists