Reuters Tankan report out now, a proxy for the quarterly BOJ report
Japan manufacturers index +22 in May vs +21 in April
- led by automakers and oil refiners
- improved in May for the first time in four months
Non-manufacturers index +39 is +36
- record high, led by real estate and construction firms
Manufacturers August index seen at +27, non-manufacturers +36
More:
- "Business confidence in and outside Japan is holding firm and corporate attitudes towards investment are improving," a manager of a machinery manufacturer wrote in the survey. "That said, some investment seems to be put off due to uncertainty stemming from spreading trade protectionism and heightening geopolitical risks as well as worry about potential yen rises."
- In written comments, many firms also complained about rising oil and raw materials prices as they struggle to pass on higher costs to customers because of tentative consumer spending.
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Reuters poll of 541 big and medium-sized companies
- 239 firms responded
more to come
