A batch of mixed economic data was released from Japan today. Industrial production rose 1.3% mom in July, well above expectation of 0.3% mom. Growth was supported by increased production of cars and chemicals, which offset decline in oil products. The somewhat solid rebound in production offered a hopeful sign that manufacturers are weathering global slowdown and escalation of US-China trade war so far.
On the other hand, retail sales dropped -2.0% yoy in July, much worse than expectation of -0.6% yoy. The contraction raised concerns that momentum of domestic demand was much weaker than originally expected. In particular, consumption could be further strained by the planned sale tax hike later in the year.
Also released, unemployment rate dropped to 2.2% in July, beat expectation of 2.3%. Housing starts dropped -4.1% yoy, versus expectation of -5.4% yoy. Tokyo CPI slowed to 0.7% yoy in August, down from 0.9% yoy, missed expectation of 0.8% yoy.
UK GfK consumer confidence dropped to -14, reduced confidence affecting views on personal finances
UK GfK Consumer Confidence dropped to -14 in August, down from -11 and missed expectation of -11.
Joe Staton, Client Strategy Director at GfK, says: “Until Brexit leaves the front pages – whenever that will be – consumers can be forgiven for feeling nervous not just about the wider economy but also about their financial situation…. For a long time, the downward momentum in the Overall Index Score has been associated with our views on economy. But reduced confidence is now affecting how we see our personal finances.
“If there is a continuation of that dip in our feelings about our ‘future wallets’, we’d quickly see a headline score (the average of our five sub-measures) crash to a level that approaches the worrying figures seen in the worst days of the 2008/2009 financial crisis.”
Full release here.