The Cabinet Office has today revealed the world’s third largest economy performed worse than originally thought in the April to June period. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 2.1% on an annual basis in the three-month period, compared with an initial estimate of 1.3%. The fall was attributed to a cut back on spending by [...]
The Statistics Bureau has today revealed Japan’s core consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.6% in May on an annual basis – the second consecutive monthly rise due to higher commodity prices. The rise was higher than forecasts of a 0.5% gain and comes after the 0.6% rise in April – which represented the first [...]
Japanese carmakers have been hit as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in March. Figures today revealed Toyota, the world’s largest carmaker, said production plunged 74.5% in April on an annual basis. Meanwhile Honda’s output fell 81% on an annual basis, while Nissan suffered a 48.7% fall as they were forced halt production as [...]
The Statistics Bureau has today revealed Japan has overcome deflation for the first time in 25 months after consumer prices rose by 0.6% last month – in line with forecasts. A short period of deflation (where prices fall rather than increase) is a serious threat to an economy because it deters consumers and businesses from [...]
The Cabinet Office has today revealed the Japanese economy contracted by 1.3% in the October to December period – slightly worse than the first estimate of 1.1%. Today’s estimate is the second reading, a third and final estimate will be available next month. The downward revision was attributed to an expired Government incentive for low-emission [...]
The Trade Ministry has today reported a further rise in Japanese industrial output. Output grew 2.4% in January on a monthly basis – its third consecutive rise and compares with a 3.3% increase in December. According to the Ministry, growth was fuelled by demand for transport equipment, machinery and metals. However, January’s figure was slightly [...]
Official figures show Japanese core consumer prices fell 0.2% in January compared with a year ago – representing the 23rd consecutive monthly decline that the world’s third largest economy has been in deflation. A short period of deflation (where prices fall rather than increase) could be a serious threat to the economy because it deters [...]
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has today cut Japan’s credit rating from AA to AA-, the first time in nine years such measures have been taken. The credit rating agency cited the country’s mounting debt worries for the downgrade. Japan’s debt currently stands at almost twice the country’s annual economic output – this compares with 136.8% [...]
Despite being one of the first major economies to emerge from recession – in the second quarter of 2009 – Japan faces many risks to its recovery. Not only is it battling with deflation, it struggling with a strong yen, which continues to weaken demand for exports and threatens the economic recovery. A short period [...]
Japan’s industrial production rose in November for the first time in six months, increasing by 1% on the previous month, boosted by higher car production. The rise was also attributed to Government incentive programmes and will undoubtedly ease concerns about the recovery of the world’s third largest economy. The figures, published by the Ministry of [...]
Government data has today revealed Japanese exports picked up in November – for the first time since February. Exports grew 9.1% to 5.44 trillion yen in November on an annual basis, against the 7.8% reported in October. However, the figure was still short of expectations for a 10.8% gain. The improvement was attributed to strong [...]
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has today left interest rates at almost zero, in a bid to boost the economy and continue its battle against deflation. The Japanese recovery has been faltering of late and exports, a crucial driver for economic growth, continue to slow. In addition, a strong yen could be damaging for the [...]
Official figures have today revealed the Japanese economy grew faster than estimated in the third quarter due to stronger corporate spending. The world’s third largest economy grew by 1.1% in the July to September period, up from the first estimate of 0.9%. On an annual basis, the economy expanded by 4.5% from an earlier estimate [...]
Official figures today showed the Japanese economy continues to battle with deflation. Figures revealed Japanese core consumer prices fell 0.6% in October compared with a year ago – representing the 20th consecutive monthly decline that the economy has been in deflation. Last month, the Bank of Japan cut interest rates to almost zero. The move [...]
Official data today revealed Japan’s economy grew strongly in the July to September period after the expiry of a Government incentive prompted a rush of car buyers and a sharp rise in cigarette sales before a new tobacco tax was levied. In addition, the hottest summer ever boosted sales of air conditioners and other related [...]
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has today left interest rates at almost zero, in a bid to boost the economy and continue its battle deflation. The move follows its surprise decision last month to cut interest rates to this level. The Japanese recovery has been faltering of late and exports, a crucial driver for economic [...]
The Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry has revealed Japanese industrial output fell in September – the fourth consecutive monthly fall. Figures show output fell 1.9% in September compared with the previous month – way below expectations of a 0.6% fall. However, the fall was attributed to the strong yen, which is weakening demand for [...]
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has today opted to keep interest rates on hold between zero and 0.1%. The move comes just weeks after the Bank surprised analysts and cut rates to this level. The measures come as the economy continues its battle with deflation. Deflation is also a concern for the Japanese economy. Recent [...]
Government data has today revealed a further slowdown in Japanese exports in September. While the figures exceeded expectations, exports still grew at their slowest pace this year, as the strong yen weakens demand for exports and threatens the economic recovery. Exports rose 14.4% in September to 5.84 trillion yen on an annual basis – well [...]
Gender directive could slash men’s annuity payouts
The EU Gender Directive, which came into force today, could see men losing up to £10,000 from their annuity payouts, according to research by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Under the new rules insurers are no longer allowed to take gender into account when setting annuity rates and premiums on insurance products. Men previously enjoyed higher annuity rates than [...]
Home rental costs down in November
The cost of renting a house in England and Wales fell by 0.4 per cent in November, its first dip since March, according to a survey by LSL Property Services. Average rent was £741m during the month, returning to the level seen in September. However, it was 3.4 per higher than in November last year. [...]
Lloyds TSB halts sale of packaged accounts in branches
Lloyds TSB will stop selling packaged account in its branches from 1 January 2013, until its sales procedures are brought into line with those operated by sister bank The Halifax. Lloyds TSB is one of the main providers of packaged accounts in Britain, with around one in three of its customers choosing to pay fees [...]
Housing market recovery to continue next year
Recent improvements in the housing market should continue into next year, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) Gross lending is estimated to have increased to £12.9 billion in November, helped by the Funding for Lending scheme which provides banks and building societies with lower-cost funding, which they are then supposed to pass on [...]
Newcastle Building Society exits interest-only mortgages
Newcastle Building Society has stopped offering interest-only mortgages to new borrowers, following the lead of the Royal Bank of Scotland, Nationwide, Co-operative bank and Coventry Building Society. The decision will not affect existing Newcastle customers and applications for interest-only mortgages received before 14 December will still be processed. Prior to the credit crunch, interest-only mortgages [...]
Less than half of Brits considered creditworthy
Fifty-seven per cent of UK adults are at risk of having an application for credit turned down by a mainstream lender according to a new report. The ‘Mind the Credit Gap‘ report commissioned by aqua credit cards suggests that even people with a good credit rating and earning more than £50,000 could have a credit [...]
Monthly incomes £22 lower in 2012
The average monthly income of UK households fell by £22 in real terms compared with last year, according to a survey carried out for the Bank of England (BoE) by NMG Consulting. People on lower incomes have seen their income eroded more than higher earners and households still have high levels of debt the BoE [...]
Savers dig deep to fund Christmas
New research from the Halifax suggests that savers are funding their Christmas spending with money set aside for other purposes. Thirty-seven per cent of 2,138 savers surveyed by the bank at the end of November had withdrawn savings in the last three months. The average amount withdrawn was £1,186, more than double the average savings [...]
Financial data at risk from unsafe passwords
According to a survey by the Payments Council the problem of having to remember a different password for several accounts means that many internet users are compromising the security of their financial data. Internet users have 22 password-protected accounts on average and many use the same log-in details for more than one account, even though [...]
Wonga launches Paylater loans on retailer website
Payday loan company Wonga has launched a new Paylater service on furniture firm Cotswold Company’s website. The service, which allows customers to “buy now, pay later” will be introduced on other retailers’ sites in the near future. Although the Paylater branding is similar to Wonga’s, the Wonga name only appears in the small print. A [...]
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