Finance Matters

Posts Tagged ‘imports’

Official figures today revealed Japan’s exports rose in August for the first time in six months – suggesting the world’s third largest economy is continuing its recovery from the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck in March.

According to the Ministry of Finance, exports were 2.8% higher last month on an annual basis but this was much less than the 8% rise expected by analysts.

The figures suggest the strong yen continues to hurt Japan’s manufacturers – it is currently hovering around 76.30 to the US dollar – dangerously close to its post-war high of 75.95 yen seen last month.

The yen has been appreciating for some time as global investors see it as a safe haven at a time of economic uncertainty.

However, it has implications and it is forcing manufacturers to consider relocating and some have even suggested moving their operations overseas.

Exports helped the economy recover from recession earlier than its counterparts more than two years ago but the twin disasters disrupted supply chains and forced some of Japan’s largest exporters to halt production.

In the meantime, imports surged 19.2% on an annual basis, due to hikes in oil prices.

As a result, the economy posted a huge trade deficit of 775.3 billion yen – the biggest since records began in 1979.

Last week, the Cabinet Office revealed the Japanese 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 economy is currently in recession and has now contracted for three consecutive quarters.

Japan lost its place as the world’s second largest economy to China last year and it faces several headwinds including years of deflation and a mountain of debt.

Debt currently stands at almost twice the country’s annual economic output and is the highest of any industrialised nation.

The Commerce Department has revealed US exports hit an all-time high in July, while imports fell.

According to official figures, exports surged 3.8% to $178 billion (£111 billion) after two months of declines.

The rise in exports was attributed to strong overseas sales of manufactured goods, particularly to countries in Central and South America.

Meanwhile, imports fell 0.2% to $222.8 billion – attributed to the decline in the price of oil reducing the cost of the US’s crude imports.

As a result of the figures, the trade gap fell 13.1% to $44.8 billion.

Meanwhile, US’ politically sensitive trade gap with China swelled 1.1% to $27 billion – the biggest imbalance in almost a year.

President Barack Obama has previously said that he wants to double US exports in the next three years to drive employment so the figures will be a welcome boost.

Yesterday, the President addressed the nation about a plan for job creation. He unveiled a $450 billion (£282 billion) package aimed at boosting the economy and reducing the federal deficit.

The bill includes tax cuts to workers and small businesses to boost job creation.

Mr Obama has previously said job creation is a top priority; continued high unemployment could threaten his prospects for re-election next year.

Last week, the Labor Department revealed the economy added no new jobs last month, which was a surprise after markets had expected 70,000 new jobs.

This represented the first time since 1945 that there has been a zero payrolls figure after 17,000 jobs were added in the private sector last month but these were cancelled out by 17,000 jobs lost in the public sector.

The economic recovery in the US remains sluggish in the face of higher unemployment and a depressed housing market.

In related news, yesterday the latest Beige Book report, published by the Federal Reserve revealed widespread signs that US economic growth continues to slow.

The US central bank has previously said the economy is weaker and that policymakers will explore ways to boost growth and lower unemployment at its policy meeting later this month.

Statistics office Destatis has today revealed German exports and imports fell in July – more than expected. According to Destatis, exports fell by 1.8% in July on a monthly basis compared with a 1.2% drop in June. Economists had forecast a 0.1% fall for the month. The sharp fall in exports will be of grave [...]

Official figures today revealed Japan’s exports recovered last month as the economy starts to rebound from the devastating earthquake and tsunami, which hit on 11 March. Exports rose by 5.4% on a monthly basis but were 1.6% lower on an annual basis – but this represented the slowest fall in four months. Analysts had forecast [...]

The US trade deficit swelled in May to $50.2 billion (£31.7 billion) from $43.6 billion the previous month, as oil imports surged. According to the Commerce Department, the trade deficit rose to the highest level since October 2008. Exports fell by 0.5% on a monthly basis to $174.9 billion, while imports rose by 2.6% on [...]