Japan's Current Account Deficit Hit The Record High In December

"Japan's current-account deficit widened to a record in December on soaring imports, adding to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s challenges as he tries to drive a recovery in the world’s third-biggest economy."

reports Bloomberg.

"The 638.6 billion yen ($6.2 billion) shortfallsurpassed November’s gap of 592.8 billion yen, the finance ministrysaid in Tokyo today"

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China Manufacturing Gauge 6-month Low

"A Chinese manufacturing gauge fell to a six-month low in January as output and orders slowed amid government efforts to rein in excessive credit."

reports Bloomberg on Feb. 1.

"The Purchasing Managers’ Index (EC11CHPM) was at 50.5, the National Bureau of Statistics and China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said today in Beijing. That matched the 50.5 median estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News and compared with December’s 51 reading. Numbers above 50 signal expansion. "

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Tokyo Stock Market Rose Jan 31 Morning

"Japan's Topix index rose, trimming its largest monthly decline since May 2012, as the yen weakened and earnings cheered investors"

reports Bloomberg midday on Jan. 31.

"The Topix indexgained 0.5 percent to 1,229.82 as of 11:13 a.m. in Tokyo, paring this week’s drop to 2.8 percent. The measure tumbled 6 percent this month through yesterday. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.1 percent today to 15,028.73. The yen was little changed at 102.72 per dollar after weakening 0.4 percent yesterday. Data showed the U.S. economy grew at a 3.2 percent annualized pace in the fourth quarter, while the nation’s consumer spending picked up."

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