Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Japanese Tertiary Index "Unexpectedly" Declines

First, what is the tertiary index? An explanation via DailyFx:

Evaluates the monthly change in output produced by Japan's service sector. Japan's economy is very export based, because this report excludes manufacturing and only measures service industries catering mainly to domestic needs, the Tertiary Industry Index is a key indicator of domestic activity.
ForexTV with the details:
Tertiary industrial activity in Japan fell a seasonally adjusted 0.1% month-on-month in May, after rising 2.2% in the preceding month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Thursday. Economists expected an increase of 0.4%.

Year-on-year, the tertiary industrial activity was down 6.8% in May,on an unadjusted basis, faster than a 6.1% fall in the preceding month. Moreover, the activity index has been declining continuously since August last year.

On a monthly basis, activity decreased the most in compound services by 4.6%, followed by a 4.1% drop in scientific research, professional and technical services. Activity also declined in finance and insurance, recreational services, medical and healthcare as also in learning support.


Source: METI.GO

2 comments:

  1. I've actually started investing in Japan.
    Its been in a bear market for ages. The entire market is trading at 1.5x BV!!
    Japan will likely be entering a multi decade bullrun in the next few years.
    Albeit the PE ratio is bad, but its based on trough earnings and trough bookvalues.
    Japan will have first mover advantage in the robotics industry as it needs to develop technology to counter its lack of productivity from its negative demographics.
    Can you imagine what will happen to Japans exports when productivity slows worldwide when populations begin to peak?

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