Sunday, November 23, 2014

Squeeze of Economic Activity by Carry Trades Induced by Zero Interest Rates, World Inflation Waves, Weakening World Economic Growth, United States Industrial Production, World Cyclical Slow Growth and Global Recession Risk: Part V

 

Squeeze of Economic Activity by Carry Trades Induced by Zero Interest Rates, World Inflation Waves, Weakening World Economic Growth, United States Industrial Production, World Cyclical Slow Growth and Global Recession Risk

Carlos M. Pelaez

© Carlos M. Pelaez, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

I World Inflation Waves

IA Appendix: Transmission of Unconventional Monetary Policy

IB1 Theory

IB2 Policy

IB3 Evidence

IB4 Unwinding Strategy

IC United States Inflation

IC Long-term US Inflation

ID Current US Inflation

IE Theory and Reality of Economic History, Cyclical Slow Growth Not Secular Stagnation and Monetary Policy Based on Fear of Deflation

II United States Industrial Production

III World Financial Turbulence

IIIA Financial Risks

IIIE Appendix Euro Zone Survival Risk

IIIF Appendix on Sovereign Bond Valuation

IV Global Inflation

V World Economic Slowdown

VA United States

VB Japan

VC China

VD Euro Area

VE Germany

VF France

VG Italy

VH United Kingdom

VI Valuation of Risk Financial Assets

VII Economic Indicators

VIII Interest Rates

IX Conclusion

References

Appendixes

Appendix I The Great Inflation

IIIB Appendix on Safe Haven Currencies

IIIC Appendix on Fiscal Compact

IIID Appendix on European Central Bank Large Scale Lender of Last Resort

IIIG Appendix on Deficit Financing of Growth and the Debt Crisis

IIIGA Monetary Policy with Deficit Financing of Economic Growth

IIIGB Adjustment during the Debt Crisis of the 1980s

V World Economic Slowdown. Table V-1 is constructed with the database of the IMF (http://www.imf.org/external/ns/cs.aspx?id=28) to show GDP in dollars in 2012 and the growth rate of real GDP of the world and selected regional countries from 2013 to 2016. The data illustrate the concept often repeated of “two-speed recovery” of the world economy from the recession of 2007 to 2009. The IMF has changed its forecast of the world economy to 3.3 percent in 2013 but accelerating to 3.3 percent in 2014, 3.8 percent in 2015 and 4.0 percent in 2016. Slow-speed recovery occurs in the “major advanced economies” of the G7 that account for $34,523 billion of world output of $72,688 billion, or 47.5 percent, but are projected to grow at much lower rates than world output, 1.9 percent on average from 2013 to 2016 in contrast with 3.6 percent for the world as a whole. While the world would grow 15.2 percent in the four years from 2013 to 2016, the G7 as a whole would grow 8.5 percent. The difference in dollars of 2012 is rather high: growing by 15.2 percent would add around $11.0 trillion of output to the world economy, or roughly, two times the output of the economy of Japan of $5,938 billion but growing by 8.0 percent would add $5.8 trillion of output to the world, or about the output of Japan in 2012. The “two speed” concept is in reference to the growth of the 150 countries labeled as emerging and developing economies (EMDE) with joint output in 2012 of $27,512 billion, or 37.8 percent of world output. The EMDEs would grow cumulatively 20.7 percent or at the average yearly rate of 4.8 percent, contributing $5.7 trillion from 2013 to 2016 or the equivalent of somewhat less than the GDP of $8,387 billion of China in 2012. The final four countries in Table V-1 often referred as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China), are large, rapidly growing emerging economies. Their combined output in 2012 adds to $14,511 billion, or 19.9 percent of world output, which is equivalent to 42.0 percent of the combined output of the major advanced economies of the G7.

Table V-1, IMF World Economic Outlook Database Projections of Real GDP Growth

 

GDP USD 2012

Real GDP ∆%
2013

Real GDP ∆%
2014

Real GDP ∆%
2015

Real GDP ∆%
2016

World

72,688

3.3

3.3

3.8

4.0

G7

34,523

1.5

1.7

2.3

2.3

Canada

1,709

2.0

2.3

2.4

2.4

France

2,688

0.3

0.4

1.0

1.6

DE

3,428

0.5

1.4

1.5

1.8

Italy

2,014

-1.9

-0.2

0.9

1.3

Japan

5,938

1.5

0.9

0.8

0.8

UK

2,471

1.7

3.2

2.7

2.4

US

16,163

2.2

2.2

3.1

3.0

Euro Area

12,220

-0.4

0.8

1.3

1.7

DE

3,428

0.5

1.4

1.5

1.8

France

2,688

0.3

0.4

1.0

1.6

Italy

2,014

-1.9

-0.2

0.9

1.3

POT

212

-1.4

1.0

1.5

1.7

Ireland

211

-0.3

1.7

2.5

2.5

Greece

249

-3.9

0.6

2.9

3.7

Spain

1,323

-1.2

1.3

1.7

1.8

EMDE

27,512

4.7

4.4

5.0

5.2

Brazil

2,248

2.5

0.3

1.4

2.2

Russia

2,017

1.3

0.2

0.5

1.5

India

1,859

5.0

5.6

6.4

6.5

China

8,387

7.7

7.4

7.1

6.8

Notes; DE: Germany; EMDE: Emerging and Developing Economies (150 countries); POT: Portugal

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook databank http://www.imf.org/external/ns/cs.aspx?id=28

Continuing high rates of unemployment in advanced economies constitute another characteristic of the database of the WEO (http://www.imf.org/external/ns/cs.aspx?id=28). Table V-2 is constructed with the WEO database to provide rates of unemployment from 2012 to 2016 for major countries and regions. In fact, unemployment rates for 2013 in Table I-2 are high for all countries: unusually high for countries with high rates most of the time and unusually high for countries with low rates most of the time. The rates of unemployment are particularly high in 2013 for the countries with sovereign debt difficulties in Europe: 16.2 percent for Portugal (POT), 13.0 percent for Ireland, 27.3 percent for Greece, 26.1 percent for Spain and 12.2 percent for Italy, which is lower but still high. The G7 rate of unemployment is 7.1 percent. Unemployment rates are not likely to decrease substantially if slow growth persists in advanced economies.

Table V-2, IMF World Economic Outlook Database Projections of Unemployment Rate as Percent of Labor Force

 

% Labor Force 2012

% Labor Force 2013

% Labor Force 2014

% Labor Force 2015

% Labor Force 2016

World

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

G7

7.4

7.1

6.5

6.3

6.1

Canada

7.3

7.1

7.0

6.9

6.8

France

9.8

10.3

10.0

10.0

9.9

DE

5.5

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

Italy

10.7

12.2

12.6

12.0

11.3

Japan

4.3

4.0

3.7

3.8

3.8

UK

8.0

7.6

6.3

5.8

5.5

US

8.1

7.4

6.3

5.9

5.8

Euro Area

11.3

11.9

11.6

11.2

10.7

DE

5.5

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

France

9.8

10.3

10.0

10.0

9.9

Italy

10.7

12.2

12.6

12.0

11.3

POT

15.5

16.2

14.2

13.5

13.0

Ireland

14.7

13.0

11.2

10.5

10.1

Greece

24.2

27.3

25.8

23.8

20.9

Spain

24.8

26.1

24.6

23.5

22.4

EMDE

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Brazil

5.5

5.4

5.5

6.1

5.9

Russia

5.5

5.5

5.6

6.5

6.0

India

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

China

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.1

Notes; DE: Germany; EMDE: Emerging and Developing Economies (150 countries)

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook databank http://www.imf.org/external/ns/cs.aspx?id=28

Table V-3 provides the latest available estimates of GDP for the regions and countries followed in this blog from IQ2012 to IIIQ2014 available now for all countries. There are preliminary estimates for all countries for IIIQ2014. Growth is weak throughout most of the world.

  • Japan. The GDP of Japan increased 1.1 percent in IQ2012, 4.5 percent at SAAR (seasonally adjusted annual rate) and 3.3 percent relative to a year earlier but part of the jump could be the low level a year earlier because of the Tōhoku or Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of Mar 11, 2011. Japan is experiencing difficulties with the overvalued yen because of worldwide capital flight originating in zero interest rates with risk aversion in an environment of softer growth of world trade. Japan’s GDP fell 0.6 percent in IIQ2012 at the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of minus 2.4 percent, which is much lower than 4.5 percent in IQ2012. Growth of 3.2 percent in IIQ2012 in Japan relative to IIQ2011 has effects of the low level of output because of Tōhoku or Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of Mar 11, 2011. Japan’s GDP contracted 0.6 percent in IIIQ2012 at the SAAR of minus 2.2 percent and decreased 0.2 percent relative to a year earlier. Japan’s GDP decreased 0.1 percent in IVQ2012 at the SAAR of minus 0.5 percent and decreased 0.3 percent relative to a year earlier. Japan grew 1.4 percent in IQ2013 at the SAAR of 5.6 percent and increased 0.1 percent relative to a year earlier. Japan’s GDP increased 0.8 percent in IIQ2013 at the SAAR of 3.2 percent and increased 1.2 percent relative to a year earlier. Japan’s GDP grew 0.6 percent in IIIQ2013 at the SAAR of 2.4 percent and increased 2.3 percent relative to a year earlier. In IVQ2013, Japan’s GDP decreased 0.4 percent at the SAAR of minus 1.6 percent, increasing 2.5 percent relative to a year earlier. Japan’s GDP increased 1.6 percent in IQ2014 at the SAAR of 6.7 percent and increased 2.9 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIQ2014, Japan’s GDP fell 1.9 percent at the SAAR of minus 7.3 percent and fell 0.2 percent relative to a year earlier. Japan’s GDP contracted 0.4 percent in IIIQ2014 at the SAAR of 1.6 percent and fell 1.2 percent relative to a year earlier.
  • China. China’s GDP grew 1.4 percent in IQ2012, annualizing to 5.7 percent, and 8.1 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of China grew at 2.1 percent in IIQ2012, which annualizes to 8.7 percent and 7.6 percent relative to a year earlier. China grew at 2.0 percent in IIIQ2012, which annualizes at 8.2 percent and 7.4 percent relative to a year earlier. In IVQ2012, China grew at 1.9 percent, which annualizes at 7.8 percent, and 7.9 percent in IVQ2012 relative to IVQ2011. In IQ2013, China grew at 1.6 percent, which annualizes at 6.6 percent and 7.7 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIQ2013, China grew at 1.8 percent, which annualizes at 7.4 percent and 7.5 percent relative to a year earlier. China grew at 2.3 percent in IIIQ2013, which annualizes at 9.5 percent and 7.8 percent relative to a year earlier. China grew at 1.7 percent in IVQ2013, which annualized to 7.0 percent and 7.7 percent relative to a year earlier. China’s GDP grew 1.5 percent in IQ2014, which annualizes to 6.1 percent, and 7.4 percent relative to a year earlier. China’s GDP grew 2.0 percent in IIQ2014, which annualizes at 8.2 percent, and 7.5 percent relative to a year earlier. China’s GDP grew 1.9 percent in IIIQ2014, which is equivalent to 7.8 percent in a year, and 7.3 percent relative to a year earlier. There is decennial change in leadership in China (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/special/18cpcnc/index.htm). Growth rates of GDP of China in a quarter relative to the same quarter a year earlier have been declining from 2011 to 2014.
  • Euro Area. GDP fell 0.1 percent in the euro area in IQ2012 and decreased 0.2 in IQ2012 relative to a year earlier. Euro area GDP contracted 0.3 percent IIQ2012 and fell 0.5 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIIQ2012, euro area GDP fell 0.2 percent and declined 0.7 percent relative to a year earlier. In IVQ2012, euro area GDP fell 0.5 percent relative to the prior quarter and fell 1.0 percent relative to a year earlier. In IQ2013, the GDP of the euro area fell 0.2 percent and decreased 1.1 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of the euro area increased 0.3 percent in IIQ2013 and fell 0.6 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIIQ2013, euro area GDP increased 0.1 percent and fell 0.3 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of the euro area increased 0.3 percent in IVQ2013 and increased 0.4 percent relative to a year earlier. In IQ2014, the GDP of the euro area increased 0.3 percent and 1.0 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of the euro area increased 0.1 percent in IIQ2014 and increased 0.8 percent relative to a year earlier. The euro area’s GDP increased 0.2 percent in IIIQ2014 and increased 0.8 percent relative to a year earlier.
  • Germany. The GDP of Germany increased 0.3 percent in IQ2012 and 1.5 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIQ2012, Germany’s GDP increased 0.1 percent and increased 0.3 percent relative to a year earlier but 0.8 percent relative to a year earlier when adjusted for calendar (CA) effects. In IIIQ2012, Germany’s GDP increased 0.1 percent and 0.1 percent relative to a year earlier. Germany’s GDP contracted 0.4 percent in IVQ2012 and decreased 0.3 percent relative to a year earlier. In IQ2013, Germany’s GDP decreased 0.4 percent and fell 1.8 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIQ2013, Germany’s GDP increased 0.8 percent and 0.5 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of Germany increased 0.3 percent in IIIQ2013 and 0.8 percent relative to a year earlier. In IVQ2013, Germany’s GDP increased 0.4 percent and 1.0 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of Germany increased 0.8 percent in IQ2014 and 2.6 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIQ2014, Germany’s GDP contracted 0.1 percent and increased 1.0 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of Germany increased 0.1 percent in IIIQ2014 and increased 1.2 percent relative to a year earlier.
  • United States. Growth of US GDP in IQ2012 was 0.6 percent, at SAAR of 2.3 percent and higher by 2.6 percent relative to IQ2011. US GDP increased 0.4 percent in IIQ2012, 1.6 percent at SAAR and 2.3 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIIQ2012, US GDP grew 0.6 percent, 2.5 percent at SAAR and 2.7 percent relative to IIIQ2011. In IVQ2012, US GDP grew 0.0 percent, 0.1 percent at SAAR and 1.6 percent relative to IVQ2011. In IQ2013, US GDP grew at 2.7 percent SAAR, 0.7 percent relative to the prior quarter and 1.7 percent relative to the same quarter in 2013. In IIQ2013, US GDP grew at 1.8 percent in SAAR, 0.4 percent relative to the prior quarter and 1.8 percent relative to IIQ2012. US GDP grew at 4.5 percent in SAAR in IIIQ2013, 1.1 percent relative to the prior quarter and 2.3 percent relative to the same quarter a year earlier (http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/growth-uncertainties-mediocre-cyclical.html) with weak hiring (http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/fluctuating-financial-variables.html). In IVQ2013, US GDP grew 0.9 percent at 3.5 percent SAAR and 3.1 percent relative to a year earlier. In IQ2014, US GDP decreased 0.5 percent, increased 1.9 percent relative to a year earlier and fell 2.1 percent at SAAR. In IIQ2014, US GDP increased 1.1 percent at 4.6 percent SAAR and increased 2.6 percent relative to a year earlier. US GDP increased 0.9 percent in IIIQ2014 at 3.5 percent SAAR and increased 2.3 percent relative to a year earlier.
  • United Kingdom. In IQ2012, UK GDP increased 0.1 percent, increasing 1.0 percent relative to a year earlier. UK GDP fell 0.2 percent in IIQ2012 and increased 0.6 percent relative to a year earlier. UK GDP increased 0.8 percent in IIIQ2012 and increased 0.7 percent relative to a year earlier. UK GDP fell 0.3 percent in IVQ2012 relative to IIIQ2012 and increased 0.4 percent relative to a year earlier. UK GDP increased 0.5 percent in IQ2013 and 0.8 percent relative to a year earlier. UK GDP increased 0.7 percent in IIQ2013 and 1.7 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIIQ2013, UK GDP increased 0.9 percent and 1.7 percent relative to a year earlier. UK GDP increased 0.6 percent in IVQ2013 and 2.7 percent relative to a year earlier. In IQ2014, UK GDP increased 0.7 percent and 3.0 percent relative to a year earlier. UK GDP increased 0.9 percent in IIQ2014 and 3.2 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIIQ2014, UK GDP increased 0.7 percent and increased 3.0 percent relative to a year earlier.
  • Italy. Italy has experienced decline of GDP in nine consecutive quarters from IIIQ2011 to IIIQ2013 and in IIQ2014 and IIIQ2014. Italy’s GDP fell 0.9 percent in IQ2012 and declined 1.9 percent relative to IQ2011. Italy’s GDP fell 0.4 percent in IIQ2012 and declined 2.4 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIIQ2012, Italy’s GDP fell 0.4 percent and declined 2.5 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of Italy contracted 0.8 percent in IVQ2012 and fell 2.5 percent relative to a year earlier. In IQ2013, Italy’s GDP contracted 0.9 percent and fell 2.4 percent relative to a year earlier. Italy’s GDP fell 0.2 percent in IIQ2013 and 2.2 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of Italy changed 0.0 percent in IIIQ2013 and declined 1.8 percent relative to a year earlier. Italy’s GDP decreased 0.1 percent in IVQ2013 and decreased 1.2 percent relative to a year earlier. In IQ2014, Italy’s GDP changed 0.0 percent and fell 0.3 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of Italy fell 0.2 percent in IIQ2014 and declined 0.3 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIIQ2014, Italy’s GDP contracted 0.1 percent and fell 0.4 percent relative to a year earlier.
  • France. France’s GDP increased 0.2 percent in IQ2012 and increased 0.6 percent relative to a year earlier. France’s GDP decreased 0.2 percent in IIQ2012 and increased 0.4 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIIQ2012, France’s GDP increased 0.2 percent and increased 0.4 percent relative to a year earlier. France’s GDP fell 0.3 percent in IVQ2012 and changed 0.0 percent relative to a year earlier. In IQ2013, France GDP changed 0.0 percent and declined 0.2 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of France increased 0.7 percent in IIQ2013 and 0.7 percent relative to a year earlier. France’s GDP decreased 0.1 percent in IIIQ2013 and increased 0.3 percent relative to a year earlier. The GDP of France increased 0.2 percent in IVQ2013 and 0.8 percent relative to a year earlier. In IQ2014, France’s GDP changed 0.0 percent and increased 0.8 percent relative to a year earlier. In IIQ2014, France’s GDP contracted 0.1 percent and changed 0.0 percent relative to a year earlier. France’s GDP increased 0.3 percent in IIIQ2014 and increased 0.4 percent relative to a year earlier.

Table V-3, Percentage Changes of GDP Quarter on Prior Quarter and on Same Quarter Year Earlier, ∆%

 

IQ2012/IVQ2011

IQ2012/IQ2011

United States

QOQ: 0.6       

SAAR: 2.3

2.6

Japan

QOQ: 1.1

SAAR: 4.5

3.3

China

1.4

8.1

Euro Area

-0.1

-0.2

Germany

0.3

1.5

France

0.2

0.6

Italy

-0.9

-1.9

United Kingdom

0.1

1.0

 

IIQ2012/IQ2012

IIQ2012/IIQ2011

United States

QOQ: 0.4        

SAAR: 1.6

2.3

Japan

QOQ: -0.6
SAAR: -2.4

3.2

China

2.1

7.6

Euro Area

-0.3

-0.5

Germany

0.1

0.3 0.8 CA

France

-0.2

0.4

Italy

-0.4

-2.4

United Kingdom

-0.2

0.6

 

IIIQ2012/ IIQ2012

IIIQ2012/ IIIQ2011

United States

QOQ: 0.6 
SAAR: 2.5

2.7

Japan

QOQ: –0.6
SAAR: –2.2

-0.2

China

2.0

7.4

Euro Area

-0.2

-0.7

Germany

0.1

0.1

France

0.2

0.4

Italy

-0.4

-2.5

United Kingdom

0.8

0.7

 

IVQ2012/IIIQ2012

IVQ2012/IVQ2011

United States

QOQ: 0.0
SAAR: 0.1

1.6

Japan

QOQ: -0.1

SAAR: -0.5

-0.3

China

1.9

7.9

Euro Area

-0.5

-1.0

Germany

-0.4

-0.3

France

-0.3

0.0

Italy

-0.8

-2.5

United Kingdom

-0.3

0.4

 

IQ2013/IVQ2012

IQ2013/IQ2012

United States

QOQ: 0.7
SAAR: 2.7

1.7

Japan

QOQ: 1.4

SAAR: 5.6

0.1

China

1.6

7.7

Euro Area

-0.2

-1.1

Germany

-0.4

-1.8

France

0.0

-0.2

Italy

-0.9

-2.4

UK

0.5

0.8

 

IIQ2013/IQ2013

IIQ2013/IIQ2012

United States

QOQ: 0.4

SAAR: 1.8

1.8

Japan

QOQ: 0.8

SAAR: 3.2

1.2

China

1.8

7.5

Euro Area

0.3

-0.6

Germany

0.8

0.5

France

0.7

0.7

Italy

-0.2

-2.2

UK

0.7

1.7

 

IIIQ2013/IIQ2013

III/Q2013/  IIIQ2012

USA

QOQ: 1.1
SAAR: 4.5

2.3

Japan

QOQ: 0.6

SAAR: 2.4

2.3

China

2.3

7.8

Euro Area

0.1

-0.3

Germany

0.3

0.8

France

-0.1

0.3

Italy

0.0

-1.8

UK

0.9

1.7

 

IVQ2013/IIIQ2013

IVQ2013/IVQ2012

USA

QOQ: 0.9

SAAR: 3.5

3.1

Japan

QOQ: -0.4

SAAR: -1.6

2.5

China

1.7

7.7

Euro Area

0.3

0.4

Germany

0.4

1.0

France

0.2

0.8

Italy

-0.1

-1.2

UK

0.6

2.7

 

IQ2014/IVQ2013

IQ2014/IQ2013

USA

QOQ -0.5

SAAR -2.1

1.9

Japan

QOQ: 1.6

SAAR: 6.7

2.9

China

1.5

7.4

Euro Area

0.3

1.0

Germany

0.8

2.6

France

0.0

0.8

Italy

0.0

-0.3

UK

0.7

3.0

 

IIQ2014/IQ2014

IIQ2014/IIQ2013

USA

QOQ 1.1

SAAR 4.6

2.6

Japan

QOQ: -1.9

SAAR: -7.3

-0.2

China

2.0

7.5

Euro Area

0.1

0.8

Germany

-0.1

1.0

France

-0.1

0.0

Italy

-0.2

-0.3

UK

0.9

3.2

 

IIIQ2014/IIQ2014

IIIQ2014/IIIQ2013

USA

QOQ: 0.9

SAAR: 3.5

2.3

Japan

QOQ: -0.4

SAAR: -1.6

-1.2

China

1.9

7.3

Euro Area

0.2

0.8

Germany

0.1

1.2

France

0.3

0.4

Italy

-0.1

-0.4

UK

0.7

3.0

QOQ: Quarter relative to prior quarter; SAAR: seasonally adjusted annual rate

Source: Country Statistical Agencies http://www.census.gov/aboutus/stat_int.html

Table V-4 provides two types of data: growth of exports and imports in the latest available months and in the past 12 months; and contributions of net trade (exports less imports) to growth of real GDP.

  • China. In Sep 2014, China exports increased 15.3 percent relative to a year earlier and imports increased 7.0 percent.
  • Germany. Germany’s exports decreased 5.8 percent in the month of Aug 2014 and decreased 1.0 percent in the 12 months ending in Aug 2014. Germany’s imports decreased 1.3 percent in the month of Aug and decreased 2.4 percent in the 12 months ending in Aug. Net trade contributed 0.8 percentage points to growth of GDP in IQ2012, contributed 0.3 percentage points in IIQ2012, contributed 0.3 percentage points in IIIQ2012, deducted 0.5 percentage points in IVQ2012, deducted 0.3 percentage points in IQ2013 and added 0.1 percentage points in IIQ2013. Net traded deducted 0.5 percentage points from Germany’s GDP growth in IIIQ2013 and added 0.4 percentage points to GDP growth in IVQ2013. Net trade deducted 0.2 percentage points from GDP growth in IQ2014. Net trade deducted 0.2 percentage points from GDP growth in IIQ2014.
  • United Kingdom. Net trade contributed 0.7 percentage points in IIQ2013. In IIIQ2013, net trade deducted 2.0 percentage points from UK growth. Net trade contributed 0.5 percentage points to UK value added in IVQ2013. Net trade contributed 0.6 percentage points to UK value added in IQ2014 and 0.0 percentage points in IIQ2014.
  • France. France’s exports decreased 1.3 percent in Aug 2014 while imports decreased 0.6 percent. France’s imports decreased 1.2 percent in the 12 months ending in Aug 2014 and imports increased 0.1 percent relative to a year earlier. Net traded added 0.1 percentage points to France’s GDP in IIIQ2012 and 0.1 percentage points in IVQ2012. Net trade deducted 0.1 percentage points from France’s GDP growth in IQ2013 and added 0.3 percentage points in IIQ2013, deducting 0.4 percentage points in IIIQ2013. Net trade added 0.3 percentage points to France’s GDP in IVQ2013 and deducted 0.0 percentage points in IQ2014. Net trade deducted 0.1 percentage points from France’s GDP growth in IIQ2014.
  • United States. US exports decreased 1.5 percent in Sep 2014 and goods exports increased 3.4 percent in Jan-Sep 2014 relative to a year earlier. Imports changed 0.0 percent in Sep 2014 and goods imports increased 3.4 percent in Jan-Sep 2014 relative to a year earlier. Net trade deducted 0.04 percentage points from GDP growth in IIQ2012 and added 0.39 percentage points in IIIQ2012 and 0.79 percentage points in IVQ2012. Net trade deducted 0.08 percentage points from US GDP growth in IQ2013 and deducted 0.54 percentage points in IIQ2013. Net traded added 0.59 percentage points to US GDP growth in IIIQ2013. Net trade added 1.08 percentage points to US GDP growth in IVQ2013. Net trade deducted 1.66 percentage points from US GDP growth in IQ2014 and deduced 0.34 percentage points in IIQ2014. Net trade added 1.32 percentage points to IIIQ2014. The Federal Reserve completed its annual revision of industrial production and capacity utilization on Mar 28, 2014 (http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/revisions/Current/DefaultRev.htm). The report of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System states (http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/Current/default.htm):

“Industrial production edged down 0.1 percent in October after having advanced 0.8 percent in September. In October, manufacturing output increased 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month. The index for mining declined 0.9 percent and the output of utilities moved down 0.7 percent. At 104.9 percent of its 2007 average, total industrial production in October was 4.0 percent above its level of a year earlier. Capacity utilization for the industrial sector decreased 0.3 percentage point in October to 78.9 percent, a rate that is 1.2 percentage points below its long-run (1972–2013) average.”

In the six months ending in Oct 2014, United States national industrial production accumulated increase of 1.6 percent at the annual equivalent rate of 3.2 percent, which is lower than growth of 4.0 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014. Excluding growth of 0.8 percent in Sep 2014, growth in the remaining five months from May to Oct 2014 accumulated to 0.8 percent or 1.9 percent annual equivalent. Industrial production declined in two of the past six months. Industrial production expanded at annual equivalent 2.0 percent in the most recent quarter from Aug to Oct 2014 and at 4.5 percent in the prior quarter May-Jul 2014. Business equipment accumulated growth of 1.6 percent in the six months from May to Oct 2014 at the annual equivalent rate of 3.2 percent, which is lower than growth of 4.6 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014. The Fed analyzes capacity utilization of total industry in its report (http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/Current/default.htm): “Capacity utilization for the industrial sector decreased 0.3 percentage point in October to 78.9 percent, a rate that is 1.2 percentage points below its long-run (1972–2013) average.” United States industry apparently decelerated to a lower growth rate followed by possible acceleration and weaker growth in past months.

Manufacturing decreased by 21.9 from the peak in Jun 2007 to the trough in Apr 2009 and increased by 19.9 percent from the trough in Apr 2009 to Dec 2013. Manufacturing grew 26.2 percent from the trough in Apr 2009 to Oct 2014. Manufacturing output in Oct 2014 is 1.4 percent below the peak in Jun 2007. Growth at trend in the entire cycle from IVQ2007 to IIIQ2014 would have accumulated to 23.0 percent. GDP in IIIQ2014 would be $18,438.0 billion (in constant dollars of 2009) if the US had grown at trend, which is higher by $2,287.4 billion than actual $16,150.6 billion. There are about two trillion dollars of GDP less than at trend, explaining the 26.6 million unemployed or underemployed equivalent to actual unemployment of 16.1 percent of the effective labor force (http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/rules-discretionary-authorities-and.html

and earlier (http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/world-financial-turbulence-twenty-seven.html). US GDP in IIIQ2014 is 12.4 percent lower than at trend. US GDP grew from $14,991.8 billion in IVQ2007 in constant dollars to $16,150.6 billion in IIIQ2014 or 7.7 percent at the average annual equivalent rate of 1.1 percent. Cochrane (2014Jul2) estimates US GDP at more than 10 percent below trend. The US missed the opportunity to grow at higher rates during the expansion and it is difficult to catch up because growth rates in the final periods of expansions tend to decline. The US missed the opportunity for recovery of output and employment always afforded in the first four quarters of expansion from recessions. Zero interest rates and quantitative easing were not required or present in successful cyclical expansions and in secular economic growth at 3.0 percent per year and 2.0 percent per capita as measured by Lucas (2011May). There is cyclical uncommonly slow growth in the US instead of allegations of secular stagnation. There is similar behavior in manufacturing. The long-term trend is growth at average 3.3 percent per year from Jan 1919 to Oct 2014. Growth at 3.3 percent per year would raise the NSA index of manufacturing output from 99.2392 in Dec 2007 to 123.8884 in Oct 2014. The actual index NSA in Oct 2014 is 101.5613, which is 18.0 percent below trend. Manufacturing output grew at average 2.3 percent between Dec 1986 and Dec 2013, raising the index at trend to 115.9214 in Oct 2014. The output of manufacturing at 101.5613 in Oct 2014 is 12.4 percent below trend under this alternative calculation.

Table V-4, Growth of Trade and Contributions of Net Trade to GDP Growth, ∆% and % Points

 

Exports
M ∆%

Exports 12 M ∆%

Imports
M ∆%

Imports 12 M ∆%

USA

-1.5 Sep

3.4

Jan-Sep

0.0 Sep

3.4

Jan-Sep

Japan

 

Oct

9.6

Sep

6.9

Aug

-1.3

Jul

3.9

Jun

-2.0

May 2014

-2.7

Apr 2014

5.1

Mar 2014

1.8

Feb 2014

9.5

Jan 2014

9.5

Dec 2013

15.3

Nov 2013

18.4

Oct 2013

18.6

Sep 2013

11.5

Aug 2013

14.7

Jul 2013

12.2

Jun 2013 7.4

May 2013

10.1

Apr 2013

3.8

Mar 2013

1.1

Feb 2013

-2.9

Jan 2013 6.4

Dec -5.8

Nov -4.1

Oct -6.5

Sep -10.3

Aug -5.8

Jul -8.1

 

Oct

2.7

Sep

6.2

Aug

-1.5

Jul

2.3

Jun

8.4

May 2014

-3.6

Apr 2013

3.4

Mar 2014

18.1

Feb 2014

9.0

Jan 2014

25.0

Dec 2013 24.7

Nov 2013

21.1

Oct 2013

26.1

Sep 2013

16.5

Aug 2013

16.0

Jul 2013

19.6

Jun 2013

11.8

May 2013

10.0

Apr 2013

9.4

Mar 2013

5.5

Feb 2013

7.3

Jan 2013 7.3

Dec 1.9

Nov 0.8

Oct -1.6

Sep 4.1

Aug -5.4

Jul 2.1

China

 

2014

15.3 Sep

9.4 Aug

14.5 Jul

7.2 Jun

7.0 May

0.9 Apr

-6.6 Mar

-18.1 Feb

10.6 Jan

2013

4.3 Dec

12.7 Nov

5.6 Oct

-0.3 Sep

7.2 Aug

5.1 Jul

-3.1 Jun

1.0 May

14.7 Apr

10.0 Mar

21.8 Feb

25.0 Jan

 

2014

7.0 Aug

-2.4 Aug

-1.6 Jul

5.5 Jun

-1.6 May

-0.8 Apr

-11.3 Mar

10.1 Feb

10.0 Jan

2013

8.3 Dec

5.3 Nov

7.6 Oct

7.4 Sep

7.0 Aug

10.9 Jul

-0.7 Jun

-0.3 May

16.8 Apr

14.1 Mar

-15.2 Feb

28.8 Jan

Euro Area

-2.8 12-M Aug

0.8 Jan-Aug

-4.4 12-M Aug

-0.2 Jan-Aug

Germany

-5.8 Aug CSA

-1.0 Aug

-1.3 Aug CSA

-2.4 Aug

France

Aug

-1.3

-1.2

-0.6

0.1

Italy Aug

1.1

-2.7

-0.4

-7.0

UK

-1.7 Aug

-7.4 Jun-Aug 14 /Jun-Aug 13

-4.2 Aug

-6.9 Jun-Aug 14 /Jun-Aug 13

Net Trade % Points GDP Growth

% Points

     

USA

IIIQ2014

1.32

IIQ2014

-0.34

IQ2014

-1.66

IVQ2013

1.08

IIIQ2013

0.59

IIQ2013

-0.54

IQ2013

-0.08

IVQ2012 +0.79

IIIQ2012

0.39

IIQ2012 -0.04

IQ2012 -0.11

     

Japan

0.4

IQ2012

-1.5 IIQ2012

-1.9 IIIQ2012

-0.5 IVQ2012

1.7

IQ2013

0.2

IIQ2013

-1.6

IIIQ2013

-2.4

IVQ2013

-0.8

IQ2014

4.2

IIQ2014

0.3

IIIQ2014

     

Germany

IQ2012

0.8 IIQ2012 0.4 IIIQ2012 0.3 IVQ2012

-0.5

IQ2013

-0.3 IIQ2013

0.1

IIIQ2013

-0.5

IVQ2013

0.2

IQ2014

-0.1

IIQ2014

-0.1

IIIQ2014

-0.2

     

France

0.1 IIIQ2012

0.1 IVQ2012

-0.1 IQ2013

0.3

IIQ2013 -0.4

IIIQ2013

0.3

IVQ2013

0.0

IQ2014

-0.1

IIQ2014

     

UK

0.7

IIQ2013

-2.0

IIIQ2013

0.5

IVQ2013

0.6

IQ2014

0.0

IIQ2014

     

Sources: Country Statistical Agencies http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/ http://www.bea.gov/iTable/index_nipa.cfm

The geographical breakdown of exports and imports of Japan with selected regions and countries is provided in Table VB-7 for Oct 2014. The share of Asia in Japan’s trade is close to one-half for 53.8 percent of exports and 46.8 percent of imports. Within Asia, exports to China are 18.4 percent of total exports and imports from China 24.6 percent of total imports. While exports to China increased 7.2 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014, imports from China increased 9.6 percent. The second largest export market for Japan in Oct 2014 is the US with share of 19.0 percent of total exports, which is close to that of China, and share of imports from the US of 8.8 percent in total imports. Japan’s exports to the US increased 8.9 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014 and imports from the US increased 11.0 percent. Western Europe has share of 10.4 percent in Japan’s exports and of 10.4 percent in imports. Rates of growth of exports of Japan in Oct 2014 are 8.9 percent for exports to the US, minus 13.3 percent for exports to Brazil and 7.7 percent for exports to Germany. Comparisons relative to 2011 may have some bias because of the effects of the Tōhoku or Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of Mar 11, 2011. Deceleration of growth in China and the US and threat of recession in Europe can reduce world trade and economic activity. Growth rates of imports in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014 are mixed. Imports from Asia increased 4.2 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014 while imports from China increased 9.6 percent. Data are in millions of yen, which may have effects of recent depreciation of the yen relative to the United States dollar (USD).

Table V-4, Japan, Value and 12-Month Percentage Changes of Exports and Imports by Regions and Countries, ∆% and Millions of Yen

Oct 2014

Exports
Millions Yen

12 months ∆%

Imports Millions Yen

12 months ∆%

Total

6,688,484

9.6

7,398,479

2.7

Asia

3,600,282

% Total 53.8

10.5

3,461,895 % Total 46.8

4.2

China

1,229,609

% Total 18.4

7.2

1,816,360 % Total 24.6

9.6

USA

1,268,270

% Total 19.0

8.9

653,784 % Total

8.8

11.0

Canada

77,993

1.9

113,549

5.8

Brazil

40,866

-13.3

94,573

-4.0

Mexico

112,108

28.2

34,682

-1.9

Western Europe

693,867 % Total 10.4

6.0

766,070 % Total 10.4

5.7

Germany

179,360

7.7

229,959

6.2

France

57,975

-1.5

103,055

13.3

UK

107,378

16.2

57,263

7.0

Middle East

278,805

29.5

1,297,145

-1.9

Australia

120,260

-14.5

407,604

-0.6

Source: Japan, Ministry of Finance http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm

World trade projections of the IMF are in Table V-5. There is increasing growth of the volume of world trade of goods and services from 3.0 percent in 2013 to 5.0 percent in 2015 and 5.6 percent on average from 2016 to 2019. World trade would be slower for advanced economies while emerging and developing economies (EMDE) experience faster growth. World economic slowdown would be more challenging with lower growth of world trade.

Table V-5, IMF, Projections of World Trade, USD Billions, USD/Barrel and Annual ∆%

 

2013

2014

2015

Average ∆% 2016-2019

World Trade Volume (Goods and Services)

3.0

3.8

5.0

5.6

Exports Goods & Services

3.2

3.7

5.0

5.5

Imports Goods & Services

2.8

3.9

5.0

5.6

World Trade Value of Exports Goods & Services USD Billion

23,114

23,928

24,948

Average ∆% 2006-2015

20,259

Value of Exports of Goods USD Billion

18,671

19,299

20,107

Average ∆% 2006-2015

16,312

Average Oil Price USD/Barrel

104.07

102.76

99.36

Average ∆% 2006-2015

88.85

Average Annual ∆% Export Unit Value of Manufactures

-1.1

-0.2

-0.5

Average ∆% 2006-2015

-0.6

Exports of Goods & Services

2013

2014

2015

Average ∆% 2016-2019

Euro Area

1.8

3.5

4.3

4.7

EMDE

4.4

3.9

5.8

6.1

G7

1.8

2.9

4.2

4.9

Imports Goods & Services

       

Euro Area

0.5

3.4

3.9

4.7

EMDE

5.3

4.4

6.1

6.3

G7

1.2

3.6

4.1

4.9

Terms of Trade of Goods & Services

       

Euro Area

0.8

-0.4

-0.3

-0.1

EMDE

-0.2

-0.02

-0.6

-0.4

G7

0.8

0.7

-0.2

0.0

Terms of Trade of Goods

       

Euro Area

1.2

0.03

-0.02

-0.2

EMDE

-0.2

0.2

-0.4

-0.3

G7

0.9

0.3

-0.1

-0.1

Notes: Commodity Price Index includes Fuel and Non-fuel Prices; Commodity Industrial Inputs Price includes agricultural raw materials and metal prices; Oil price is average of WTI, Brent and Dubai

Source: International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook databank

http://www.imf.org/external/ns/cs.aspx?id=28

The JP Morgan Global All-Industry Output Index of the JP Morgan Manufacturing and Services PMI, produced by JP Morgan and Markit in association with ISM and IFPSM, with high association with world GDP, decreased to 54.9 in Sep from 55.1 in Aug, indicating expansion at slightly slower rate (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/f9fa304d4f7948649dec41faf0ffe0e5). This index has remained above the contraction territory of 50.0 during 62 consecutive months. The employment index increased from 51.4 in Aug to 51.8 in Sep with input prices rising at slower rate, new orders increasing at faster rate and output increasing at slower rate (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/f9fa304d4f7948649dec41faf0ffe0e5). David Hensley, Director of Global Economic Coordination at JP Morgan, finds moderately slower growth of world economic output at the highest pace since IIQ2010 (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/f9fa304d4f7948649dec41faf0ffe0e5). The JP Morgan Global Manufacturing PMI, produced by JP Morgan and Markit in association with ISM and IFPSM, decreased to 52.2 in Sep from 52.5 in Aug (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/fd40c528859a43fb9da53bfb0a8df860). New export orders expanded for the fifteenth consecutive month (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/fd40c528859a43fb9da53bfb0a8df860). David Hensley, Director of Global Economics Coordination at JP Morgan Chase, finds continuing impulse in global manufacturing. The HSBC Brazil Composite Output Index, compiled by Markit, increased from 49.6 in Aug to 50.6 in Sep, indicating moderate expansion in activity of Brazil’s private sector (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/1a09dff57d044bb0b23abb59d47ab45a). The HSBC Brazil Services Business Activity index, compiled by Markit, increased from 49.2 in Aug to 50.6 in Sep, indicating marginally expanding services activity (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/1a09dff57d044bb0b23abb59d47ab45a). André Loes, Chief Economist, Brazil, at HSBC, finds continuing modest growth (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/1a09dff57d044bb0b23abb59d47ab45a). The HSBC Brazil Purchasing Managers’ IndexTM (PMI) decreased marginally from 50.2 in Aug to 49.3 in Sep, indicating moderate deterioration in manufacturing (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/846d98ec34dc4ea3b1745ea5717b3226). André Loes, Chief Economist, Brazil at HSBC, finds deteriorating industrial activity in Brazil (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/846d98ec34dc4ea3b1745ea5717b3226).

VA United States. The Markit Flash US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) seasonally adjusted decreased to 54.6 in Nov from 55.9 in Oct (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/e87b70d50cb344aa8c88f8a936b4ac81). New export orders decreased at the highest rate of decline in 17 months. Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit, finds that manufacturing and service data suggest GDP slowing to 2.5 percent in IVQ2014 (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/e87b70d50cb344aa8c88f8a936b4ac81). The Markit Flash US Services PMI™ Business Activity Index decreased from 59.5 in Aug to 58.5 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/a9f73e6ab8304506b6d2bd8efc9bd462). Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit, finds that the surveys are consistent with sustained strong growth of GDP in IIIQ2014 at an annual rate around 3.5 percent (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/a9f73e6ab8304506b6d2bd8efc9bd462). The Markit US Composite PMI™ Output Index of Manufacturing and Services decreased to 59.0 in Sep from 59.7 in Aug (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/e1666adac16845408a507a50ff53ea4b). The Markit US Services PMI™ Business Activity Index decreased from 59.5 in Aug to 58.9 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/e1666adac16845408a507a50ff53ea4b). Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit, finds the indexes consistent with US growth at around 3 percent in IIIQ2014 (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/e1666adac16845408a507a50ff53ea4b). The Markit US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) decreased to 57.5 in Sep from 57.9 in Aug, which indicates expansion at marginally slower rate (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/8f8d0489d39e4d60a8409cabd0e030d4). Growth of export orders continued. Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit, finds that the index suggests output growth of GDP at around 3 percent in IIIQ2014 (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/8f8d0489d39e4d60a8409cabd0e030d4). The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Report on Business® decreased 2.4 percentage points from 59.0 in Aug to 56.6 in Sep, which indicates growth at slower rate (http://www.ism.ws/ISMReport/MfgROB.cfm?navItemNumber=12942). The index of new orders decreased 6.6 percentage points from 66.7 in Aug to 60.0 in Sep. The index of new export orders decreased 1.5 percentage point from 55.0 in Aug to 53.5 in Sep, growing at a slower rate. The Non-Manufacturing ISM Report on Business® PMI increased 0.9 percentage points from 58.7 in Jul to 59.6 in Aug, indicating growth of business activity/production during 61 consecutive months, while the index of new orders decreased 1.1 percentage points from 64.9 in Jul to 63.8 in Aug (http://www.ism.ws/ISMReport/NonMfgROB.cfm?navItemNumber=12943). Table USA provides the country economic indicators for the US.

Table USA, US Economic Indicators

Consumer Price Index

Oct 12 months NSA ∆%: 1.7; ex food and energy ∆%: 1.8 Oct month SA ∆%: 0.0; ex food and energy ∆%: 0.2
Blog 11/23/14

Producer Price Index

Finished Goods

Oct 12-month NSA ∆%: 1.7; ex food and energy ∆% 2.1
Oct month SA ∆% = -0.3; ex food and energy ∆%: 0.1

Final Demand

Oct 12-month NSA ∆%: 1.5; ex food and energy ∆% 1.8
Oct month SA ∆% = 0.2; ex food and energy ∆%: 0.4
Blog 11/23/14

PCE Inflation

Sep 12-month NSA ∆%: headline 1.4; ex food and energy ∆% 1.5
Blog 11/2/14

Employment Situation

Household Survey: Oct Unemployment Rate SA 5.8%
Blog calculation People in Job Stress Oct: 26.6 million NSA, 16.1% of Labor Force
Establishment Survey:
Oct Nonfarm Jobs +214,000; Private +209,000 jobs created 
Sep 12-month Average Hourly Earnings Inflation Adjusted ∆%: -0.3
Blog 11/9/14

Nonfarm Hiring

Nonfarm Hiring fell from 63.3 million in 2006 to 54.2 million in 2013 or by 9.1 million
Private-Sector Hiring Sep 2014 4.849 million lower by 0.068 million than 4.917 million in Sep 2006
Blog 11/16/14

GDP Growth

BEA Revised National Income Accounts
IQ2012/IQ2011 ∆%: 2.6

IIQ2012/IIQ2011 2.3

IIIQ2012/IIIQ2011 2.7

IVQ2012/IVQ2011 1.6

IQ2013/IQ2012 1.7

IIQ2013/IIQ2012 1.8

IIIQ2013/IIIQ2012 2.3

IVQ2013/IVQ2012 3.1

IQ2014/IQ2013 1.9

IIQ2014/IIQ2013 2.6

IIIQ2014/IIIQ2013 2.3

IQ2012 SAAR 2.3

IIQ2012 SAAR 1.6

IIIQ2012 SAAR 2.5

IVQ2012 SAAR 0.1

IQ2013 SAAR 2.7

IIQ2013 SAAR 1.8

IIIQ2013 SAAR 4.5

IVQ2013 SAAR 3.5

IQ2014 SAAR -2.1

IIQ2014 SAAR 4.6

IIIQ2014 SAAR 3.5
Blog 11/2/14

Real Private Fixed Investment

SAAR IIIQ2014 4.7 ∆% IVQ2007 to IIIQ2014: 1.5% Blog 11/2/14

Corporate Profits

IIQ2014 SAAR: Corporate Profits 8.4; Undistributed Profits 24.9 Blog 9/28/14

Personal Income and Consumption

Sep month ∆% SA Real Disposable Personal Income (RDPI) SA ∆% 0.0
Real Personal Consumption Expenditures (RPCE): -0.2
12-month Sep NSA ∆%:
RDPI: 2.5; RPCE ∆%: 2.1
Blog 11/2/14

Quarterly Services Report

IIQ14/IIQ13 NSA ∆%:
Information 5.6

Financial & Insurance 4.8
Blog 9/14/14

Employment Cost Index

Compensation Private IIQ2014 SA ∆%: 0.7
Jun 12 months ∆%: 2.0
Blog 8/3/14

Industrial Production

Oct month SA ∆%: -0.1
Oct 12 months SA ∆%: 4.0

Manufacturing Oct SA 0.2 ∆% Oct 12 months SA ∆% 3.4, NSA 3.3
Capacity Utilization: 78.9
Blog 11/23/14

Productivity and Costs

Nonfarm Business Productivity IIIQ2014∆% SAAE 2.0; IIIQ2014/IIQ2013 ∆% 0.9; Unit Labor Costs SAAE IIIQ2014 ∆% 0.3; IIIQ2014/IIIQ2013 ∆%: 2.4

Blog 11/9/14

New York Fed Manufacturing Index

General Business Conditions From Oct 6.17 to Nov 10.16
New Orders: From Oct -1.73 to Nov 9,14
Blog 11/23/14

Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Index

General Index from Oct 20.7 to Nov 40.8
New Orders from Oct 17.3 to Nov 35.7
Blog 11/23/14

Manufacturing Shipments and Orders

New Orders SA Jul ∆% 10.5 Ex Transport -0.8

Jan-Jul NSA New Orders ∆% 4.5 Ex transport 2.5
Blog 9/7/14

Durable Goods

Sep New Orders SA ∆%: -1.3; ex transport ∆%: -0.2
Jan-Sep 14/Jan-Sep 13 New Orders NSA ∆%: 7.8; ex transport ∆% 5.4
Blog 11/2/14

Sales of New Motor Vehicles

Jan-Sep 2014 12,431,305; Jan-Sep 2013 11,786,536. Sep 14 SAAR 16.43 million, Aug 14 SAAR 17.53 million, Sep 2013 SAAR 15.42 million

Blog 10/5/14

Sales of Merchant Wholesalers

Jan-Aug 2014/Jan-Aug 2013 NSA ∆%: Total 5.6; Durable Goods: 5.1; Nondurable
Goods: 5.9
Blog 10/12/14

Sales and Inventories of Manufacturers, Retailers and Merchant Wholesalers

Aug 14 12-M NSA ∆%: Sales Total Business 2.5; Manufacturers 1.9
Retailers 2.9; Merchant Wholesalers 2.9
Blog 10/19/14

Sales for Retail and Food Services

Jan-Sep 2014/Jan-Sep 2013 ∆%: Retail and Food Services 3.9; Retail ∆% 3.8
Blog 10/19/14

Value of Construction Put in Place

Aug SAAR month SA ∆%: -0.8 Aug 12-month NSA: 2.7
Blog 10/5/14

Case-Shiller Home Prices

Aug 2014/Aug 2013 ∆% NSA: 10 Cities 5.5; 20 Cities: 5.6
∆% Aug SA: 10 Cities -0.2 ; 20 Cities: -0.1
Blog 11/2/14

FHFA House Price Index Purchases Only

Aug SA ∆% 0.5;
12 month NSA ∆%: 4.8
Blog 9/28/14

New House Sales

Sep 2014 month SAAR ∆%: 0.2
Jan-Sep 2014/Jan-Sep 2013 NSA ∆%: 2.4
Blog 10/26/14

Housing Starts and Permits

Sep Starts month SA ∆% 6.3; Permits ∆%: 1.5
Jan-Sep 2014/Jan-Sep 2013 NSA ∆% Starts 9.5; Permits  ∆% 3.4
Blog 10/19/14

Trade Balance

Balance Sep SA -$43,032 million versus Aug -$39,991 million
Exports Sep SA ∆%: -1.5 Imports Sep SA ∆%: 0.0
Goods Exports Jan-Sep 2014/Jan-Sep 2013 NSA ∆%: 3.4
Goods Imports Jan-Sep 2014/Jan-Sep 2012 NSA ∆%: 3.4
Blog 11/9/14

Export and Import Prices

Sep 12-month NSA ∆%: Imports -0.9; Exports 0.2
Blog 10/12/14

Consumer Credit

Aug ∆% annual rate: Total 5.0; Revolving -0.3; Nonrevolving 7.0
Blog 10/12/14

Net Foreign Purchases of Long-term Treasury Securities

Aug Net Foreign Purchases of Long-term US Securities: minus $52.1 billion
Major Holders of Treasury Securities: China $1270 billion; Japan $1230 billion; Total Foreign US Treasury Holdings Aug $6067 billion
Blog 10/19/14

Treasury Budget

Fiscal Year 2014/2013 ∆% Sep: Receipts 8.9; Outlays 1.4; Individual Income Taxes 5.9
Deficit Fiscal Year 2011 $1,300 billion

Deficit Fiscal Year 2012 $1,087 billion

Deficit Fiscal Year 2013 $680 billion

Blog 10/19/2014

CBO Budget and Economic Outlook

2012 Deficit $1087 B 6.8% GDP Debt $11,281 B 70.1% GDP

2013 Deficit $680 B, 4.1% GDP Debt $11,983 B 72.0% GDP

2024 Deficit $960B, 3.6% GDP Debt $20,554B 77.2% GDP

2039: Long-term Debt/GDP 106%

Blog 8/26/12 11/18/12 2/10/13 9/22/13 2/16/14 8/24/14 9/14/14

Commercial Banks Assets and Liabilities

Sep 2014 SAAR ∆%: Securities 9.6 Loans 3.1 Cash Assets 16.8 Deposits 11.5

Blog 10/26/14

Flow of Funds

IIQ2014 ∆ since 2007

Assets +$14,244.2 BN

Nonfinancial $224.1 BN

Real estate -$419.6 BN

Financial +14,020.1 BN

Net Worth +$14,690.1 BN

Blog 9/28/14

Current Account Balance of Payments

IIQ2014 -190,161 MM

% GDP 2.3

Blog 9/21/14

Collapse of United States Dynamism of Income Growth and Employment Creation

Blog 10/26/14

Links to blog comments in Table USA:

11/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/fluctuating-financial-variables.html

11/9/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/rules-discretionary-authorities-and.html

11/2/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/growth-uncertainties-mediocre-cyclical.html

10/26/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/financial-oscillations-world-inflation.html

10/19/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/imf-view-squeeze-of-economic-activity.html

10/12/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/global-financial-volatility-recovery.html

10/5/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/world-financial-turbulence-twenty-seven.html

9/28/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/financial-volatility-mediocre-cyclical.html

9/21/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/world-inflation-waves-squeeze-of.html

9/14/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/geopolitics-monetary-policy-and.html

9/7/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/competitive-monetary-policy-and.html

8/24/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/monetary-policy-world-inflation-waves.html

8/3/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/fluctuating-financial-valuations.html

2/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/theory-and-reality-of-cyclical-slow.html

9/22/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/duration-dumping-and-peaking-valuations.html

2/10/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/united-states-unsustainable-fiscal.html

VB Japan. The GDP of Japan grew at 1.0 percent per year on average from 1991 to 2002, with the GDP implicit deflator falling at 0.8 percent per year on average. The average growth rate of Japan’s GDP was 4 percent per year on average from the middle of the 1970s to 1992 (Ito 2004). Low growth in Japan in the 1990s is commonly labeled as “the lost decade” (see Pelaez and Pelaez, The Global Recession Risk (2007), 81-115). Table VB-GDP provides yearly growth rates of Japan’s GDP from 1995 to 2013. Growth weakened from 2.7 per cent in 1995 and 1996 to contractions of 1.5 percent in 1999 and 0.4 percent in 2001 and growth rates below 2 percent with exception of 2.3 percent in 2003. Japan’s GDP contracted sharply by 3.7 percent in 2006 and 2.0 percent in 2009. As in most advanced economies, growth was robust at 3.4 percent in 2010 but mediocre at 0.3 percent in 2011 and 0.7 percent in 2013. Japan’s GDP grew 2.3 percent in 2013.

Table VB-GDP, Japan, Yearly Percentage Change of GDP  ∆%

Calendar Year

∆%

1995

2.7

1996

2.7

1997

0.1

1998

-1.5

1999

0.5

2000

2.0

2001

-0.4

2002

1.1

2003

2.3

2004

1.5

2005

1.9

2006

1.8

2007

1.8

2008

-3.7

2009

-2.0

2010

3.4

2011

0.3

2012

0.7

2013

2.3

Source: Source: Japan Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/index-e.html

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/sna/sokuhou/sokuhou_top.html

Table VB-BOJF provides the forecasts of economic activity and inflation in Japan by the majority of members of the Policy Board of the Bank of Japan, which is part of their Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices (https://www.boj.or.jp/en/mopo/outlook/gor1404b.pdf) with changes on Jul 14, 2014 (https://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2014/k140715a.pdf). For fiscal 2013, the forecast is of growth of GDP between 2.2 and 2.3 percent, with the all items CPI less fresh food of 0.8 percent (https://www.boj.or.jp/en/mopo/outlook/gor1404b.pdf). The critical difference is forecast of the CPI excluding fresh food of 3.2 to 3.5 percent in 2014, 1.9 to 2.8 percent in 2015 and 2.0 to 3.0 in 2016 (https://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2014/k140715a.pdf). Consumer price inflation in Japan excluding fresh food was 0.4 percent in Apr 2014 and 3.4 percent in 12 months (http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/cpi/1581.htm), significantly because of the increase of the tax on value added of consumption in Apr 2014. The new monetary policy of the Bank of Japan aims to increase inflation to 2 percent. These forecasts are biannual in Apr and Oct. The Cabinet Office, Ministry of Finance and Bank of Japan released on Jan 22, 2013, a “Joint Statement of the Government and the Bank of Japan on Overcoming Deflation and Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth” (http://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2013/k130122c.pdf) with the important change of increasing the inflation target of monetary policy from 1 percent to 2 percent:

“The Bank of Japan conducts monetary policy based on the principle that the policy shall be aimed at achieving price stability, thereby contributing to the sound development of the national economy, and is responsible for maintaining financial system stability. The Bank aims to achieve price stability on a sustainable basis, given that there are various factors that affect prices in the short run.

The Bank recognizes that the inflation rate consistent with price stability on a sustainable basis will rise as efforts by a wide range of entities toward strengthening competitiveness and growth potential of Japan's economy make progress. Based on this recognition, the Bank sets the price stability target at 2 percent in terms of the year-on-year rate of change in the consumer price index.

Under the price stability target specified above, the Bank will pursue monetary easing and aim to achieve this target at the earliest possible time. Taking into consideration that it will take considerable time before the effects of monetary policy permeate the economy, the Bank will ascertain whether there is any significant risk to the sustainability of economic growth, including from the accumulation of financial imbalances.”

The Bank of Japan also provided explicit analysis of its view on price stability in a “Background note regarding the Bank’s thinking on price stability” (http://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2013/data/rel130123a1.pdf http://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2013/rel130123a.htm/). The Bank of Japan also amended “Principal terms and conditions for the Asset Purchase Program” (http://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2013/rel130122a.pdf): “Asset purchases and loan provision shall be conducted up to the maximum outstanding amounts by the end of 2013. From January 2014, the Bank shall purchase financial assets and provide loans every month, the amount of which shall be determined pursuant to the relevant rules of the Bank.”

Financial markets in Japan and worldwide were shocked by new bold measures of “quantitative and qualitative monetary easing” by the Bank of Japan (http://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2013/k130404a.pdf). The objective of policy is to “achieve the price stability target of 2 percent in terms of the year-on-year rate of change in the consumer price index (CPI) at the earliest possible time, with a time horizon of about two years” (http://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2013/k130404a.pdf). The main elements of the new policy are as follows:

  1. Monetary Base Control. Most central banks in the world pursue interest rates instead of monetary aggregates, injecting bank reserves to lower interest rates to desired levels. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has shifted back to monetary aggregates, conducting money market operations with the objective of increasing base money, or monetary liabilities of the government, at the annual rate of 60 to 70 trillion yen. The BOJ estimates base money outstanding at “138 trillion yen at end-2012) and plans to increase it to “200 trillion yen at end-2012 and 270 trillion yen at end 2014” (http://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2013/k130404a.pdf).
  2. Maturity Extension of Purchases of Japanese Government Bonds. Purchases of bonds will be extended even up to bonds with maturity of 40 years with the guideline of extending the average maturity of BOJ bond purchases from three to seven years. The BOJ estimates the current average maturity of Japanese government bonds (JGB) at around seven years. The BOJ plans to purchase about 7.5 trillion yen per month (http://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2013/rel130404d.pdf). Takashi Nakamichi, Tatsuo Ito and Phred Dvorak, wiring on “Bank of Japan mounts bid for revival,” on Apr 4, 2013, published in the Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323646604578401633067110420.html), find that the limit of maturities of three years on purchases of JGBs was designed to avoid views that the BOJ would finance uncontrolled government deficits.
  3. Seigniorage. The BOJ is pursuing coordination with the government that will take measures to establish “sustainable fiscal structure with a view to ensuring the credibility of fiscal management” (http://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2013/k130404a.pdf).
  4. Diversification of Asset Purchases. The BOJ will engage in transactions of exchange traded funds (ETF) and real estate investment trusts (REITS) and not solely on purchases of JGBs. Purchases of ETFs will be at an annual rate of increase of one trillion yen and purchases of REITS at 30 billion yen.
  5. Bank Lending Facility and Growth Supporting Funding Facility. At the meeting on Feb 18, the Bank of Japan doubled the scale of these lending facilities to prevent their expiration in the near future (http://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2014/k140218a.pdf).

Table VB-BOJF, Bank of Japan, Forecasts of the Majority of Members of the Policy Board, % Year on Year

Fiscal Year
Date of Forecast

Real GDP

CPI All Items Less Fresh Food

Excluding Effects of Consumption Tax Hikes

2013

     

Apr 2014

+2.2 to +2.3
[+2.2]

+0.8

 

Jan 2014

+2.5 to +2.9

[+2.7]

+0.7 to +0.9

[+0.7]

 

Oct 2013

+2.6 to +3.0

[+2.7]

+0.6 to +1.0

[+0.7]

 

Jul 2013

+2.5 to +3.0

[+2.8]

+0.5 to +0.8

[+0.6]

 

2014

     

Jul 2014

+0.6 to +1.3

[+1.0]

+3.2 to +3.5

[+3.3]

+1.2 to +1.5

[+1.3]

Apr 2014

+0.8 to +1.3
[+1.1]

+3.0 to +3.5
[+3.3]

+1.0 to +1.5
[+1.3]

Jan 2014

+0.9 to 1.5

[+1.4]

+2.9 to +3.6

[+3.3]

+0.9 to +1.6

[+1.3]

Oct 2013

+0.9 to +1.5

[+1.5]

+2.8 to +3.6

[+3.3]

+0.8 to +1.6

[+1.3]

Jul 2013

+0.8 to +1.5

[+1.3]

+2.7 to +3.6

[+3.3]

+0.7 to +1.6

[+1.3]

2015

     

Jul 2014

+1.2 to +1.6

[+1.5]

+1.9 to +2.8

[+2.6]

+1.2 to +2.1

[+1.9]

Apr 2014

+1.2 to +1.5
[+1.5]

+1.9 to +2.8
[+2.6]

+1.2 to +2.1
[+1.9]

Jan 2014

+1.2 to +1.8

[+1.5]

+1.7 to +2.9

[+2.6]

+1.0 to +2.2

[+1.9]

Oct 2013

+1.3 to +1.8

[+1.5]

+1.6 to +2.9

[+2.6]

+0.9 to +2.2

[+1.9]

Jul 2013

+1.3 to +1.9 [+1.5]

+1.6 to +2.9 [+2.6]

+0.9 to +2.2 [+1.9]

2016

     

Jul 2014

+1.0 to +1.5

[+1.3]

+2.0 to +3.0

[+2.8]

+1.3 to +2.3

[+2.1]

Apr 2014

+1.0 to +1.5
[+1.3]

+2.0 to +3.0
[+2.8]

+1.3 to +2.3
[+2.1]

Figures in brackets are the median of forecasts of Policy Board members

Source: Policy Board, Bank of Japan

https://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2014/k140715a.pdf

The Markit/JMMA Flash Japan Manufacturing PMI Index™ with the Flash Japan Manufacturing PMI™ decreased from 52.4 in Oct to 52.1 in Nov and the Flash Japan Manufacturing Output Index™ increased from 51.3 in Oct to 53.5 in Nov (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/b111ccb969f04f6d9a9ff3a283807bfa). New export orders increased at a slower pace. Amy Brownbill, Economist at Markit, finds improving Japan’s manufacturing (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/b111ccb969f04f6d9a9ff3a283807bfa). Private-sector activity in Japan improved marginally with the Markit Composite Output PMI Index increasing from 50.8 in Aug to 52.8 in Sep, indicating modest improvement (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/2e1dfffdc45c4e49be57a12b42bfc8d1). The Markit Business Activity Index of Services increased to 52.5 in Sep from 49.9 in Aug (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/2e1dfffdc45c4e49be57a12b42bfc8d1). Amy Brownbill, Ecoomist at Markit and author of the report, finds the reading consistent with growth in IIIQ2014 (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/2e1dfffdc45c4e49be57a12b42bfc8d1). The Markit/JMMA Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI™), seasonally adjusted, decreased from 52.5 in Aug to 51.7 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/ace36b2b67724577bcba4aff0291b168). New orders, output and foreign orders increased. Amy Brownbill, Economist at Markit and author of the report, finds higher growth of output (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/ace36b2b67724577bcba4aff0291b168).Table JPY provides the country data table for Japan.

Table JPY, Japan, Economic Indicators

Historical GDP and CPI

1981-2010 Real GDP Growth and CPI Inflation 1981-2010
Blog 8/9/11 Table 26

Corporate Goods Prices

Oct ∆% -0.8
12 months ∆% 2.9
Blog 11/16/14

Consumer Price Index

Aug NSA ∆% 0.2; Aug 12 months NSA ∆% 3.3
Blog 9/28/14

Real GDP Growth

IIIQ2014 ∆%: -0.4 on IIQ2014;  IIIQ2014 SAAR -1.6;
∆% from quarter a year earlier: -1.2 %
Blog 6/16/13 8/18/13 9/15/13 11/17/13 12/15/13 2/23/14 3/16/14 5/18/14 6/15/14 8/17/14 9/14/14 11/23/14

Employment Report

Sep Unemployed 2.33 million

Change in unemployed since last year: minus 250 thousand
Unemployment rate: 3.6 %
Blog 11/16/14

All Industry Indices

Aug month SA ∆% -0.1
12-month NSA ∆% -2.5

Blog 10/26/14

Industrial Production

Sep SA month ∆%: 2.7
12-month NSA ∆% 0.6
Blog 11/2/14

Machine Orders

Total Aug ∆% -2.2

Private ∆%: -12.4 Aug ∆% Excluding Volatile Orders 4.7
Blog 10/12/14

Tertiary Index

Aug month SA ∆% -0.1
Aug 12 months NSA ∆% minus 2.7
Blog 10/12/14

Wholesale and Retail Sales

Sep 12 months:
Total ∆%: 1.5
Wholesale ∆%: 1.2
Retail ∆%: 2.3
Blog 11/2/14

Family Income and Expenditure Survey

Aug 12-month ∆% total nominal consumption -0.9, real -4.7 Blog 10/5/14

Trade Balance

Exports Oct 12 months ∆%: 9.6 Imports Oct 12 months ∆% 2.7 Blog 11/23/14

Links to blog comments in Table JPY:

11/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/fluctuating-financial-variables.html

11/2/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/growth-uncertainties-mediocre-cyclical.html

10/26/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/financial-oscillations-world-inflation.html

10/19/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/imf-view-squeeze-of-economic-activity.html

10/12/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/global-financial-volatility-recovery.html

10/5/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/world-financial-turbulence-twenty-seven.html

9/28/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/financial-volatility-mediocre-cyclical.html

9/14/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/geopolitics-monetary-policy-and.html

8/17/2014 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/weakening-world-economic-growth.html

6/15/2014 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/financialgeopolitical-risks-recovery.html

5/18/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/world-inflation-waves-squeeze-of.html

3/16/2014 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/global-financial-risks-recovery-without.html

2/23/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/squeeze-of-economic-activity-by-carry.html

12/15/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/theory-and-reality-of-secular.html

11/17/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/risks-of-unwinding-monetary-policy.html

9/15/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/recovery-without-hiring-ten-million.html

8/18/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/duration-dumping-and-peaking-valuations.html

Japan’s economy grew 1.6 percent in IQ2014, seasonally adjusted, partly because of anticipation of purchases to avoid the increase in the tax on value added of consumption in Apr 2014, contracting 1.9 percent in IIQ2014, as shown in Table VB-1, incorporating the latest estimates and revisions. Japan’s GDP contracted 0.4 percent in IIIQ2014. The economy of Japan contracted 0.4 percent in IVQ2013 after growing 0.6 percent in IIIQ2013, 0.8 percent in IIQ2013 and 1.4 percent in IQ2013. Japan’s GDP decreased 0.3 percent in IVQ2012 relative to IIIQ2012. IQ2012 GDP growth was revised to 1.1 percent; IIQGDP growth was revised to -0.6 percent; and IIIQ2012 growth was revised to -0.6 percent. The economy of Japan had already weakened in IVQ2010 when GDP fell revised 0.6 percent. As in other advanced economies, Japan’s recovery from the global recession has not been robust. GDP fell 1.7 percent in IQ2011 and fell again 0.7 percent in IIQ2011 because of the disruption of the tragic Tōhoku or Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of Mar 11, 2011. Recovery was robust in the first two quarters of 2010 but GDP grew at 1.5 percent in IIIQ2010 and fell 0.6 percent in IVQ2010. The deepest quarterly contractions in the recession were 3.3 percent in IVQ2008 and 4.0 percent in IQ2009.

Table VB-1, Japan, Real GDP ∆% Changes from the Previous Quarter Seasonally Adjusted ∆%

 

IQ

IIQ

IIIQ

IVQ

2014

1.6

-1.9

-0.4

 

2013

1.4

0.8

0.6

-0.4

2012

1.1

-0.6

-0.6

-0.3

2011

-1.7

-0.7

2.7

0.0

2010

1.5

1.1

1.5

-0.6

2009

-4.0

1.7

0.1

1.7

2008

0.7

-1.2

-1.1

-3.3

2007

1.0

0.1

-0.4

0.8

2006

0.4

0.4

-0.1

1.3

2005

0.2

1.3

0.4

0.2

2004

0.9

0.1

0.1

-0.3

2003

-0.6

1.3

0.4

1.0

2002

-0.2

1.0

0.6

0.4

2001

0.6

-0.2

-1.1

-0.1

2000

1.6

0.2

-0.3

0.7

1999

-0.9

0.4

-0.2

0.5

1998

-1.9

-0.5

0.3

0.5

1997

0.7

-1.0

0.4

-0.1

Source: Japan Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/index-e.html

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/sna/sokuhou/sokuhou_top.html

Table VB-2 provides contributions to real GDP at seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR). GDP contracted at 1.6 percent in IIIQ2014 with contribution of 0.9 percent by personal consumption expenditures, 0.3 percent by net trade and 0.3 percent by government consumption expenditures. Gross fixed capital formation deducted 0.5 percent and private inventory divestment 2.6 percent. Japan contracted at 7.3 percent in IIQ2014 with deduction of 12.2 percentage points of personal consumption expenditures and deduction of 4.1 percentage points of gross fixed capital formation. Trade added 4.2 percentage to GDP growth in IIQ2014; private inventory investment added 4.8 percentage points; and government expenditures added 0.0 percentage points. The GDP of Japan expanded at 6.7 percent in IQ2014 with contributions of 5.5 percent by personal consumption and 4.0 percent of gross fixed capital formation. There were deductions of 0.8 percent by trade, 2.1 percent by inventory divestment and 0.2 percent by government expenditures. The GDP of Japan contracted at 1.6 percent annual equivalent in IVQ2013 with contraction of personal consumption expenditures of 0.1 percent and growth of GFCF at 1.0 percent. Trade deducted 2.4 percentage points. Japan grew at 2.4 percent in IIIQ 2013 with contribution of 0.8 percentage points by personal consumption and 2.0 percentage points by GFCF. Trade deducted 1.6 percentage points. Japan grew at 3.2 percent SAAR in IIQ2013 driven by contributions of 2.1 percent of personal consumption (PC), 0.2 percent of net trade and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) at 2.3 percent. In IQ2013, Japan’s GDP increased at the SAAR of 5.6 percent in large part because of 2.9 percent in personal consumption and 1.7 percent in trade. The SAAR of GDP in IVQ2012 was minus 1.2 percent: 0.4 percentage points from growth of personal consumption expenditures (PC) less 0.5 percentage points of net trade (exports less imports) less 1.1 percentage points of private inventory investment (PINV) plus 0.5 percentage points of government consumption and minus 0.5 percentage points of gross fixed capital formation (GFCF). The SAAR of GDP in IIIQ2011 was revised to a high 11.1 percent. Net trade deducted from GDP growth in three quarters of 2011 and provided the growth impulse of 3.9 percentage points in IIIQ2011. Growth in 2011 and IQ2012 was driven by personal consumption expenditures that deducted 1.0 percentage points from GDP growth in IIIQ2012 but added 0.4 percentage points to GDP growth in IVQ2012.

Table VB-2, Japan, Contributions to Changes in Real GDP, Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates (SAAR), %

 

GDP

PC

GFCF

Trade

PINV

GOVC

2014

           

I

6.7

5.5

4.0

-0.8

-2.0

-0.2

II

-7.3

-12.2

-4.1

4.2

4.8

0.0

III

-1.6

0.9

-0.5

0.3

-2.6

0.3

2013

           

I

5.6

2.9

0.0

1.7

0.5

0.7

II

3.2

2.1

2.3

0.2

-2.2

0.5

III

2.4

0.8

2.0

-1.6

1.2

0.1

IV

-1.6

-0.1

1.0

-2.4

-0.4

0.1

2012

           

I

4.5

1.1

-0.1

0.4

1.8

1.1

II

-2.4

1.2

0.5

-1.5

-2.2

-0.4

III

-2.2

-1.0

-1.0

-1.9

1.4

0.3

IV

-1.2

0.4

-0.5

-0.5

-1.0

0.5

2011

           

I

-6.7

-4.0

0.0

-1.2

-1.5

0.0

II

-2.8

2.5

0.2

-4.5

-1.4

0.3

III

11.1

4.0

1.3

3.9

1.6

0.1

IV

0.2

1.0

3.0

-3.0

-1.0

0.2

2010

           

I

6.2

1.7

0.3

2.2

2.5

-0.5

II

4.3

0.0

1.2

0.0

2.0

1.2

III

6.0

3.2

0.9

0.5

1.2

0.3

IV

-2.4

-1.0

-1.3

-0.4

-0.1

0.3

2009

           

I

-14.9

-1.9

-1.9

-4.4

-7.4

0.8

II

7.0

4.1

-3.0

7.3

-2.1

0.7

III

0.3

0.0

-1.4

2.2

-1.5

1.0

IV

6.9

3.4

-0.1

2.8

0.5

0.3

2008

           

I

2.8

1.5

0.4

1.2

-0.3

-0.1

II

-4.7

-3.2

-2.2

0.4

1.0

-0.8

III

-4.1

-0.5

-1.0

0.0

-2.6

0.0

IV

-12.6

-2.8

-4.6

-11.4

5.7

0.3

2007

           

I

4.1

0.9

0.5

1.1

1.3

0.4

II

0.5

0.6

-1.5

0.7

0.0

0.5

III

-1.5

-1.0

-1.7

2.0

-0.6

-0.2

IV

3.5

0.3

0.2

1.4

0.9

0.6

Note: PC: Private Consumption; GFCF: Gross Fixed Capital Formation; PINV: Private Inventory; Trade: Net Exports; GOVC: Government Consumption

Source: Japan Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/index-e.html

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/sna/sokuhou/sokuhou_top.html

Long-term economic growth in Japan significantly improved by increasing competitiveness in world markets. Net trade of exports and imports is an important component of the GDP accounts of Japan. Table VB-3 provides quarterly data for net trade, exports and imports of Japan. Net trade had strong positive contributions to GDP growth in Japan in all quarters from IQ2007 to IIQ2009 with exception of IVQ2008 and IQ2009. The US recession is dated by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) as beginning in IVQ2007 (Dec) and ending in IIQ2009 (Jun) (http://www.nber.org/cycles/cyclesmain.html). Net trade contributions helped to cushion the economy of Japan from the global recession. Net trade deducted from GDP growth in seven of the nine quarters from IVQ2010 IQ2012. The only strong contribution of net trade was 3.9 percent in IIIQ2011. Net trade added 1.7 percentage points to GDP growth in IQ2013 and 0.2 percentage points in IIQ2013 but deducted 1.6 percentage points in IIIQ2013 and deducted 2.4 percentage points in IVQ2013. Net trade deducted 0.8 percentage points from GDP growth in IQ2014. Net trade added 4.2 percentage points to GDP growth in IIQ2014 and 0.3 percentage points in IIIQ2014. Private consumption assumed the role of driver of Japan’s economic growth but should moderate as in most mature economies.

Table VB-3, Japan, Contributions to Changes in Real GDP, Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates (SAAR), %

 

Net Trade

Exports

Imports

2014

     

I

-0.8

4.2

-4.9

II

4.2

-0.3

4.5

III

0.3

0.9

-0.6

2013

     

I

1.7

2.4

-0.7

II

0.2

1.8

-1.6

III

-1.6

-0.4

-1.2

IV

-2.4

0.1

-2.5

2012

     

I

0.4

1.7

-1.3

II

-1.5

-0.3

-1.2

III

-1.9

-2.4

0.5

IV

-0.5

-1.9

1.3

2011

     

I

-1.2

-0.4

-0.7

II

-4.5

-4.6

0.2

III

3.9

5.8

-1.9

IV

-3.0

-2.0

-1.0

2010

     

I

2.2

3.5

-1.3

II

0.0

2.6

-2.6

III

0.5

1.4

-0.9

IV

-0.4

0.1

-0.4

2009

     

I

-4.4

-16.4

12.0

II

7.3

4.7

2.7

III

2.2

5.3

-3.1

IV

2.8

4.1

-1.3

2008

     

I

1.2

2.1

-0.9

II

0.4

-1.6

2.0

III

0.0

0.2

-0.2

IV

-11.4

-10.2

-1.2

2007

     

I

1.1

1.7

-0.5

II

0.7

1.6

-0.9

III

2.0

1.5

0.6

IV

1.4

2.1

-0.6

Source: Japan Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/index-e.html

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/sna/sokuhou/sokuhou_top.html

Japan’s percentage growth of GDP not seasonally adjusted in a quarter relative to the same quarter a year earlier is shown in Table VB-4. Contraction of GDP in a quarter relative to the same quarter a year earlier extended over seven quarters from IIQ2008 through IVQ2009. Contraction was sharpest in IQ2009 with output declining 9.4 percent relative to a year earlier. Yearly quarterly rates of growth of Japan were relatively high for a mature economy through the decade with the exception of the contractions from IVQ2001 to IIQ2002 and after 2007. The Tōhoku or Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of Mar 11, 2011 caused flat GDP in IQ2011 at 0.0 percent relative to the same quarter a year earlier and decline of 1.5 percent in IIQ2011. GDP fell 0.5 percent in IIIQ2011 relative to a year earlier and increased 0.1 percent in IVQ2011 relative to a year earlier. Growth resumed with 3.3 percent in IQ2012 relative to a year earlier. Growth of 3.2 percent in IIQ2012 is largely caused by the low level in IIQ2011 resulting from the Tōhoku or Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of Mar 11, 2011. GDP decreased 0.2 percent in IIIQ2012 relative to a year earlier and 0.3 percent in IVQ2012 relative to a year earlier. GDP increased 0.1 percent in IQ2013 relative to a year earlier and 1.2 percent in IIQ2013. Growth of 2.3 percent in IIIQ2013 relative to a year earlier is partly due to the decline of 0.7 percent in GDP in IIIQ2012. GDP increased 2.5 percent in IVQ2013 relative to a year earlier. The GDP of Japan increased 2.9 percent in IQ2014 relative to a year earlier. Japan’s GDP contracted 0.1 percent in IIQ2014 relative to a year earlier. GDP contracted 1.2 percent in IIIQ2014 relative to a year earlier. Japan faces the challenge of recovery from the devastation of the Tōhoku or Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of Mar 11, 2011 in an environment of declining world trade and bouts of risk aversion that cause appreciation of the Japanese yen, eroding the country’s competitiveness in world markets.

Table VB-4, Japan, Real GDP ∆% Changes from Same Quarter Year Earlier, NSA ∆%

 

IQ

IIQ

IIIQ

IVQ

2014

2.9

-0.2

-1.2

 

2013

0.1

1.2

2.3

2.5

2012

3.3

3.2

-0.2

-0.3

2011

0.0

-1.5

-0.5

0.1

2010

4.9

4.4

6.0

3.3

2009

-9.4

-6.6

-5.6

-0.5

2008

1.4

-0.1

-0.6

-4.7

2007

2.8

2.3

2.0

1.6

2006

2.6

1.3

0.9

2.0

2005

0.4

1.4

1.5

1.9

2004

4.0

2.6

2.2

0.7

2003

1.7

1.8

1.5

1.8

2002

-1.6

-0.2

1.4

1.6

2001

1.6

0.9

0.0

-1.0

2000

2.7

2.4

2.2

1.8

1999

-0.3

0.1

-0.1

-0.5

1998

-2.4

-1.8

-2.3

-1.5

1997

3.5

1.5

1.7

-0.2

Source: Japan Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/index-e.html

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/sna/sokuhou/sokuhou_top.html

The structure of exports and imports of Japan is in Table VB-5. Japan imports all types of raw materials and fuels at rapidly increasing prices caused by the carry trade from zero interest rates to commodities, oscillating under shocks of risk aversion. Mineral fuels account for 29.3 percent of Japan’s imports and decreased 5.9 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014 because of alternating carry trades into commodity futures in accordance with risk aversion together with yen devaluation. Weakness of world demand depresses prices of industrial goods. Manufactured products contribute 12.4 percent of Japan’s exports with increase of 9.0 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014. Machinery contributes 18.5 percent of Japan’s exports with increase of 9.7 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014. Electrical machinery contributes 18.1 percent of Japan’s exports with increase of 10.8 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014. Exports of transport equipment with share of 24.0 percent in total exports increased 10.6 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014 but had been increasing at high rates because of the low level after the Tōhoku or Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of Mar 11, 2011. The breakdown of transport equipment in Table VB-5 shows increase of the major categories of motor vehicles of 6.2 percent: cars increased 4.3 percent with increase of 25.5 percent in the minor category of buses and trucks, increase of 3.0 percent for parts of motor vehicles, increase of 8.9 percent for motorcycles and increase of 53.9 percent for ships. The result of rising commodity prices and stable or declining prices of industrial products is pressure on Japan’s terms of trade with oscillations when risk aversion causes reversal of carry trades from zero interest rates to commodity prices. Data in Table VB-5 are in millions of yen that have been affected by recent depreciation of the yen relative to the USD with invoicing of many products in dollars in world trade.

Table VB-5, Japan, Structure and Growth of Exports and Imports % and ∆% Millions Yens

Oct 2014

Value JPY Millions

% of Total

12 Months ∆%

Contribution Degree %

Exports

6,688,484

100.0

9.6

9.6

Foodstuffs

47,459

0.7

20.2

0.1

Raw Materials

100,111

1.5

2.0

0.0

Mineral Fuels

135,442

2.0

-8.8

-0.2

Chemicals

703,157

10.5

8.8

0.9

Manufactured Goods

828,134

12.4

9.0

1.1

Machinery

1,234,380

18.5

9.7

1.8

Electrical Machinery

1,207,569

18.1

10.8

1.9

Transport Equipment

1,606,860

24.0

10.6

2.5

Motor Vehicles

1,015,091

15.2

6.2

1.0

Cars

868,395

13.0

4.3

0.6

Buses & Trucks

139,299

2.1

25.5

0.5

Parts of Motor Vehicles

322,843

4.8

3.0

0.2

Motorcycles

26,544

0.4

8.9

0.0

Ships

158,604

2.4

53.9

0.9

Other

825,373

12.3

11.0

1.3

Imports

7,398,479

100.0

2.7

2.7

Foodstuffs

611,749

8.3

8.6

0.7

Raw Materials

466,049

6.3

2.3

0.1

Mineral Fuels

2,167,290

29.3

-5.9

-1.9

Chemicals

606,927

8.2

5.9

0.5

Manufactured Goods

624,589

8.4

9.7

0.8

Machinery

571,154

7.7

8.3

0.6

Electrical Machinery

1,097,886

14.8

12.9

1.7

Transport Equipment

265,177

3.6

17.1

0.5

Other

987,659

13.3

-2.4

-0.3

Source: Japan, Ministry of Finance http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm

Table VB-6 provides Japan’s exports, imports and trade balance in five-year intervals from 1950 to 1975 and then yearly from 1979 to 2013. Exports grew at the average yearly rate of 3.4 percent while imports grew at 3.6 percent per year in the years from 1979 to 2013. Abstracting from the global recession and the Tōhoku or Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of Mar 11, 2011, exports grew at the average annual rate of 4.8 percent between 1979 and 2007 and imports at 4.0 percent. The global recession had a brutal impact on Japan’s trade. Exports fell 35.5 percent from 2007 to 2009 while imports fell 29.6 percent. Japan had the first trade deficit in 2011 since 1980 and the highest deficits in 2012 and 2013.

Table VB-6, Japan, Exports and Imports Calendar Year 1950-2013 Billion Yen

Years

Exports

Imports

Balance

1950

298

348

-50

1955

723

889

-166

1960

1,459

1,616

-157

1965

3,042

2,940

102

1970

6,954

6,797

157

1975

16,545

17,170

-625

1979

22,531

24,245

-1,714

1980

29,382

31,995

-2,613

1981

33,468

31,464

2,004

1982

34,432

32,656

1,776

1983

34,909

30,014

4,895

1984

40,325

32,321

8,004

1985

41,955

31,084

10,871

1986

35,289

21,550

13,739

1987

33,315

21,736

11,579

1988

33,939

24,006

9,933

1989

37,822

28,978

8,844

1990

41,456

33,855

7,601

1991

42,359

31,900

10,459

1992

43,012

29,527

13,485

1993

40,202

26,826

13,376

1994

40,497

28,104

12,393

1995

41,530

31,548

9,982

1996

44,731

37,993

6,738

1997

50,937

40,956

9,981

1998

50,645

36,653

13,992

1999

47,547

35,268

12,279

2000

51,654

40,938

10,716

2001

48,979

42,415

6,564

2002

52,108

42,227

9,881

2003

54,548

44,362

10,186

2004

61,169

49,216

11,953

2005

65,656

56,949

8,707

2006

75,246

67,344

7,902

2007

83,931

73,135

10,796

2008

81,018

78,955

2,063

2009

54,170

51,499

2,671

2010

67,399

60,764

6,635

2011

65,546

68,111

-2,565

2012

63,748

70,689

-6,941

2013

69,774

81,243

-11,469

Source: Japan, Ministry of Finance

http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm

The geographical breakdown of exports and imports of Japan with selected regions and countries is provided in Table VB-7 for Oct 2014. The share of Asia in Japan’s trade is close to one-half for 53.8 percent of exports and 46.8 percent of imports. Within Asia, exports to China are 18.4 percent of total exports and imports from China 24.6 percent of total imports. While exports to China increased 7.2 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014, imports from China increased 9.6 percent. The second largest export market for Japan in Oct 2014 is the US with share of 19.0 percent of total exports, which is close to that of China, and share of imports from the US of 8.8 percent in total imports. Japan’s exports to the US increased 8.9 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014 and imports from the US increased 11.0 percent. Western Europe has share of 10.4 percent in Japan’s exports and of 10.4 percent in imports. Rates of growth of exports of Japan in Oct 2014 are 8.9 percent for exports to the US, minus 13.3 percent for exports to Brazil and 7.7 percent for exports to Germany. Comparisons relative to 2011 may have some bias because of the effects of the Tōhoku or Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of Mar 11, 2011. Deceleration of growth in China and the US and threat of recession in Europe can reduce world trade and economic activity. Growth rates of imports in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014 are mixed. Imports from Asia increased 4.2 percent in the 12 months ending in Oct 2014 while imports from China increased 9.6 percent. Data are in millions of yen, which may have effects of recent depreciation of the yen relative to the United States dollar (USD).

Table VB-7, Japan, Value and 12-Month Percentage Changes of Exports and Imports by Regions and Countries, ∆% and Millions of Yen

Oct 2014

Exports
Millions Yen

12 months ∆%

Imports Millions Yen

12 months ∆%

Total

6,688,484

9.6

7,398,479

2.7

Asia

3,600,282

% Total 53.8

10.5

3,461,895 % Total 46.8

4.2

China

1,229,609

% Total 18.4

7.2

1,816,360 % Total 24.6

9.6

USA

1,268,270

% Total 19.0

8.9

653,784 % Total

8.8

11.0

Canada

77,993

1.9

113,549

5.8

Brazil

40,866

-13.3

94,573

-4.0

Mexico

112,108

28.2

34,682

-1.9

Western Europe

693,867 % Total 10.4

6.0

766,070 % Total 10.4

5.7

Germany

179,360

7.7

229,959

6.2

France

57,975

-1.5

103,055

13.3

UK

107,378

16.2

57,263

7.0

Middle East

278,805

29.5

1,297,145

-1.9

Australia

120,260

-14.5

407,604

-0.6

Source: Japan, Ministry of Finance http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm

Table VB-8 provides the trade balance of Japan by countries and regions in Oct 2014. The significantly large deficits of JPY 1,018,340 million with the Middle East, JPY 586,751 million with China, JPY 287,344 million with Australia and JPY 72,203 million with Western Europe exceed surpluses of JPY 614,486 million with the US, JPY 77,426 million with Mexico and JPY 50,115 million with the UK.

Table VB-8, Japan, Trade Balance, Millions of Yen

Oct 2014

Millions of Yen

Total

-709,995

Asia

138,387

China

-586,751

USA

614,486

Canada

-35,556

Brazil

-53,707

Mexico

77,426

Western Europe

-72,203

Germany

-50,599

France

-45,080

UK

50,115

Middle East

-1,018,340

Australia

-287,344

Source: Japan, Ministry of Finance

http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm

Long-term economic growth in Japan significantly improved by increasing competitiveness in world markets. Net trade of exports and imports is an important component of the GDP accounts of Japan. Table VB-3 provides quarterly data for net trade, exports and imports of Japan. Net trade had strong positive contributions to GDP growth in Japan in all quarters from IQ2007 to IIQ2009 with exception of IVQ2008 and IQ2009. The US recession is dated by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) as beginning in IVQ2007 (Dec) and ending in IIQ2009 (Jun) (http://www.nber.org/cycles/cyclesmain.html). Net trade contributions helped to cushion the economy of Japan from the global recession. Net trade deducted from GDP growth in seven of the nine quarters from IVQ2010 IQ2012. The only strong contribution of net trade was 3.9 percent in IIIQ2011. Net trade added 1.7 percentage points to GDP growth in IQ2013 and 0.2 percentage points in IIQ2013 but deducted 1.6 percentage points in IIIQ2013 and deducted 2.4 percentage points in IVQ2013. Net trade deducted 0.8 percentage points from GDP growth in IQ2014. Net trade added 4.2 percentage points to GDP growth in IIQ2014 and 0.3 percentage points in IIIQ2014. Private consumption assumed the role of driver of Japan’s economic growth but should moderate as in most mature economies.

Table VB-3, Japan, Contributions to Changes in Real GDP, Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates (SAAR), %

 

Net Trade

Exports

Imports

2014

     

I

-0.8

4.2

-4.9

II

4.2

-0.3

4.5

III

0.3

0.9

-0.6

2013

     

I

1.7

2.4

-0.7

II

0.2

1.8

-1.6

III

-1.6

-0.4

-1.2

IV

-2.4

0.1

-2.5

2012

     

I

0.4

1.7

-1.3

II

-1.5

-0.3

-1.2

III

-1.9

-2.4

0.5

IV

-0.5

-1.9

1.3

2011

     

I

-1.2

-0.4

-0.7

II

-4.5

-4.6

0.2

III

3.9

5.8

-1.9

IV

-3.0

-2.0

-1.0

2010

     

I

2.2

3.5

-1.3

II

0.0

2.6

-2.6

III

0.5

1.4

-0.9

IV

-0.4

0.1

-0.4

2009

     

I

-4.4

-16.4

12.0

II

7.3

4.7

2.7

III

2.2

5.3

-3.1

IV

2.8

4.1

-1.3

2008

     

I

1.2

2.1

-0.9

II

0.4

-1.6

2.0

III

0.0

0.2

-0.2

IV

-11.4

-10.2

-1.2

2007

     

I

1.1

1.7

-0.5

II

0.7

1.6

-0.9

III

2.0

1.5

0.6

IV

1.4

2.1

-0.6

Source: Japan Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/index-e.html

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/sna/sokuhou/sokuhou_top.html

There was milder increase in Japan’s export corporate goods price index during the global recession in 2008 but similar sharp decline during the bank balance sheets effect in late 2008, as shown in Chart IV-5 of the Bank of Japan. Japan exports industrial goods whose prices have been less dynamic than those of commodities and raw materials. As a result, the export CGPI on the yen basis in Chart IV-5 trends down with oscillations after a brief rise in the final part of the recession in 2009. The export corporate goods price index on the yen basis fell from 104.9 in Jun 2009 to 94.0 in Jan 2012 or minus 10.4 percent and increased to 111.0 in Oct 2014 for a gain of 18.1 percent relative to Jan 2012 and 5.8 percent relative to Jun 2009. The choice of Jun 2009 is designed to capture the reversal of risk aversion beginning in Sep 2008 with the announcement of toxic assets in banks that would be withdrawn with the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) (Cochrane and Zingales 2009). Reversal of risk aversion in the form of flight to the USD and obligations of the US government opened the way to renewed carry trades from zero interest rates to exposures in risk financial assets such as commodities. Japan exports industrial products and imports commodities and raw materials.

clip_image001

Chart IV-5, Japan, Export Corporate Goods Price Index, Monthly, Yen Basis, 2008-2014

Source: Bank of Japan

http://www.stat-search.boj.or.jp/index_en.html

Chart IV-5A provides the export corporate goods price index on the basis of the contract currency. The export corporate goods price index on the basis of the contract currency increased from 97.9 in Jun 2009 to 103.1 in Apr 2012 or 5.3 percent but dropped to 97.5 in Oct 2014 or minus 5.4 percent relative to Apr 2012 and fell 0.4 percent to 97.5 in Oct 2014 relative to Jun 2009.

clip_image002

Chart IV-5A, Japan, Export Corporate Goods Price Index, Monthly, Contract Currency Basis, 2008-2014

Source: Bank of Japan

http://www.stat-search.boj.or.jp/index_en.html

Japan imports primary commodities and raw materials. As a result, the import corporate goods price index on the yen basis in Chart IV-6 shows an upward trend after declining from the increase during the global recession in 2008 driven by carry trades from fed funds rates. The index increases with carry trades from zero interest rates into commodity futures and declines during risk aversion from late 2008 into beginning of 2008 originating in doubts about soundness of US bank balance sheets. More careful measurement should show that the terms of trade of Japan, export prices relative to import prices, declined during the commodity shocks originating in unconventional monetary policy. The decline of the terms of trade restricted potential growth of income in Japan (for the relation of terms of trade and growth see Pelaez 1979, 1976a). The import corporate goods price index on the yen basis increased from 93.5 in Jun 2009 to 113.1 in Apr 2012 or 21.0 percent and to 128.2 in Oct 2014 or gain of 13.4 percent relative to Apr 2012 and 37.1 percent relative to Jun 2009.

clip_image003

Chart IV-6, Japan, Import Corporate Goods Price Index, Monthly, Yen Basis, 2008-2014

Source: Bank of Japan

http://www.stat-search.boj.or.jp/index_en.html

Chart IV-6A provides the import corporate goods price index on the contract currency basis. The import corporate goods price index on the basis of the contract currency increased from 86.2 in Jun 2009 to 119.5 in Apr 2012 or 38.6 percent and to 109.9 in Oct 2014 or minus 8.0 percent relative to Apr 2012 and gain of 27.5 percent relative to Jun 2009. There is evident deterioration of the terms of trade of Japan: the export corporate goods price index on the basis of the contract currency decreased 0.4 percent from Jun 2009 to Oct 2014 while the import corporate goods price index increased 27.5 percent. Prices of Japan’s exports of corporate goods, mostly industrial products, increased only 5.3 percent from Jun 2009 to Apr 2012, while imports of corporate goods, mostly commodities and raw materials increased 38.6 percent. Unconventional monetary policy induces carry trades from zero interest rates to exposures in commodities that squeeze economic activity of industrial countries by increases in prices of imported commodities and raw materials during periods without risk aversion. Reversals of carry trades during periods of risk aversion decrease prices of exported commodities and raw materials that squeeze economic activity in economies exporting commodities and raw materials. Devaluation of the dollar by unconventional monetary policy could increase US competitiveness in world markets but economic activity is squeezed by increases in prices of imported commodities and raw materials. Unconventional monetary policy causes instability worldwide instead of the mission of central banks of promoting financial and economic stability.

clip_image004

Chart IV-6A, Japan, Import Corporate Goods Price Index, Monthly, Contract Currency Basis, 2008-2014

Source: Bank of Japan

http://www.stat-search.boj.or.jp/index_en.html

Table IV-6B provides the Bank of Japan’s Corporate Goods Price indexes of exports and imports on the yen and contract bases from Jan 2008 to Oct 2014. There are oscillations of the indexes that are shown vividly in the four charts above. For the entire period from Jan 2008 to Oct 2014, the export index on the contract currency basis decreased 1.7 percent and decreased 3.9 percent on the yen basis. For the entire period from Jan 2008 to Oct 2014, the import price index increased 9.1 percent on the contract currency basis and increased 7.7 percent on the yen basis. The charts show sharp deteriorations in relative prices of exports to prices of imports during multiple periods. Price margins of Japan’s producers are subject to periodic squeezes resulting from carry trades from zero interest rates of monetary policy to exposures in commodities.

Table IV-6B, Japan, Exports and Imports Corporate Goods Price Index, Contract Currency Basis and Yen Basis

 

X-CC

X-Y

M-CC

M-Y

2008/01

99.2

115.5

100.7

119.0

2008/02

99.8

116.1

102.4

120.6

2008/03

100.5

112.6

104.5

117.4

2008/04

101.6

115.3

110.1

125.2

2008/05

102.4

117.4

113.4

130.4

2008/06

103.5

120.7

119.5

140.3

2008/07

104.7

122.1

122.6

143.9

2008/08

103.7

122.1

123.1

147.0

2008/09

102.7

118.3

117.1

137.1

2008/10

100.2

109.6

109.1

121.5

2008/11

98.6

104.5

97.8

105.8

2008/12

97.9

100.6

89.3

93.0

2009/01

98.0

99.5

85.6

88.4

2009/02

97.5

100.1

85.7

89.7

2009/03

97.3

104.2

85.2

93.0

2009/04

97.6

105.6

84.4

93.0

2009/05

97.5

103.8

84.0

90.8

2009/06

97.9

104.9

86.2

93.5

2009/07

97.5

103.1

89.2

95.0

2009/08

98.3

104.4

89.6

95.8

2009/09

98.3

102.1

91.0

94.7

2009/10

98.0

101.2

91.0

94.0

2009/11

98.4

100.8

92.8

94.8

2009/12

98.3

100.7

95.4

97.5

2010/01

99.4

102.2

97.0

100.0

2010/02

99.7

101.6

97.6

99.8

2010/03

99.7

101.8

97.0

99.2

2010/04

100.5

104.6

99.9

104.6

2010/05

100.7

102.9

101.7

104.9

2010/06

100.1

101.6

100.0

102.3

2010/07

99.4

99.0

99.9

99.8

2010/08

99.1

97.3

99.5

97.5

2010/09

99.4

97.0

100.0

97.2

2010/10

100.1

96.4

100.5

95.8

2010/11

100.7

97.4

102.6

98.2

2010/12

101.2

98.3

104.4

100.6

2011/01

102.1

98.6

107.2

102.6

2011/02

102.9

99.5

109.0

104.3

2011/03

103.5

99.6

111.8

106.3

2011/04

104.1

101.7

115.9

111.9

2011/05

103.9

99.9

118.8

112.4

2011/06

103.8

99.3

117.5

110.5

2011/07

103.6

98.3

118.3

110.2

2011/08

103.6

96.6

118.6

108.1

2011/09

103.7

96.1

117.0

106.2

2011/10

103.0

95.2

116.6

105.6

2011/11

101.9

94.8

115.4

105.4

2011/12

101.5

94.5

116.1

106.2

2012/01

101.8

94.0

115.0

104.2

2012/02

102.4

95.8

115.8

106.4

2012/03

102.9

99.2

118.3

112.9

2012/04

103.1

98.7

119.5

113.1

2012/05

102.3

96.3

118.1

109.8

2012/06

101.4

95.0

115.2

106.7

2012/07

100.6

94.0

112.0

103.5

2012/08

100.9

94.1

112.4

103.6

2012/09

101.0

94.1

114.7

105.2

2012/10

101.1

94.7

113.8

105.2

2012/11

100.9

95.9

113.2

106.5

2012/12

100.7

98.0

113.4

109.5

2013/01

101.0

102.4

113.8

115.4

2013/02

101.5

105.9

114.8

120.2

2013/03

101.3

106.6

115.1

122.0

2013/04

100.2

107.5

114.1

123.8

2013/05

99.6

109.1

112.6

125.3

2013/06

99.2

106.1

112.0

121.2

2013/07

99.1

107.5

111.6

122.8

2013/08

99.0

106.1

111.8

121.3

2013/09

99.0

107.2

113.0

124.0

2013/10

99.2

106.7

113.1

122.9

2013/11

99.1

108.0

113.1

124.9

2013-12

99.1

110.4

113.8

129.0

2014-01

99.2

110.7

114.5

130.2

2014-02

98.9

109.2

113.9

127.8

2014-03

98.6

109.1

113.5

127.5

2014-04

98.5

109.2

112.8

127.0

2014-05

98.3

108.5

112.5

126.0

2014-06

98.1

108.3

112.6

126.3

2014-07

98.2

108.2

112.6

126.0

2014-08

98.3

109.0

112.4

126.8

2014-09

98.1

111.2

111.7

129.6

2014-10

97.5

111.0

109.9

128.2

Note: X-CC: Exports Contract Currency; X-Y: Exports Yen; M-CC: Imports Contract; M-Y: Imports Yen

Source: Bank of Japan

http://www.boj.or.jp/en/statistics/index.htm/

Chart IV-7 provides the monthly corporate goods price index (CGPI) of Japan from 1970 to 2014. Japan also experienced sharp increase in inflation during the 1970s as in the episode of the Great Inflation in the US. Monetary policy focused on accommodating higher inflation, with emphasis solely on the mandate of promoting employment, has been blamed as deliberate or because of model error or imperfect measurement for creating the Great Inflation (http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/slowing-growth-global-inflation-great.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-economics-of-rose-garden-turned.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/is-there-second-act-of-us-great.html and Appendix I The Great Inflation; see Taylor 1993, 1997, 1998LB, 1999, 2012FP, 2012Mar27, 2012Mar28, 2012JMCB and http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/rules-versus-discretionary-authorities.html). A remarkable similarity with US experience is the sharp rise of the CGPI of Japan in 2008 driven by carry trades from policy interest rates rapidly falling to zero to exposures in commodity futures during a global recession. Japan had the same sharp waves of consumer price inflation during the 1970s as in the US (see Chart IV-5 and associated table at http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/financial-volatility-mediocre-cyclical.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/geopolitical-and-financial-risks_71.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/world-inflation-waves-united-states_49.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/financial-indecision-mediocre-cyclical_6089.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/financial-instability-mediocre-cyclical_4827.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/financial-uncertainty-mediocre-cyclical_8145.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/financial-risks-slow-cyclical-united.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/mediocre-cyclical-united-states.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/collapse-of-united-states-dynamism-of.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/exit-risks-of-zero-interest-rates-world_1.html and earlier http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/twenty-eight-million-unemployed-or_561.html and at http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/increasing-interest-rate-risk_1.html http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/recovery-without-jobs-stagnating-real_09.html).

clip_image005

Chart IV-7, Japan, Domestic Corporate Goods Price Index, Monthly, 1970-2014

Source: Bank of Japan

http://www.stat-search.boj.or.jp/index_en.html

The producer price index of the US from 1970 to 2014 in Chart IV-8 shows various periods of more rapid or less rapid inflation but no bumps. The major event is the decline in 2008 when risk aversion because of the global recession caused the collapse of oil prices from $148/barrel to less than $80/barrel with most other commodity prices also collapsing. The event had nothing in common with explanations of deflation but rather with the concentration of risk exposures in commodities after the decline of stock market indexes. Eventually, there was a flight to government securities because of the fears of insolvency of banks caused by statements supporting proposals for withdrawal of toxic assets from bank balance sheets in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), as explained by Cochrane and Zingales (2009). The bump in 2008 with decline in 2009 is consistent with the view that zero interest rates with subdued risk aversion induce carry trades into commodity futures.

clip_image006

Chart IV-8, US, Producer Price Index Finished Goods, Monthly, 1970-2014

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/ppi/

Further insight into inflation of the corporate goods price index (CGPI) of Japan is provided in Table IV-7. The increase in the tax on value added of consumption caused sharp increases in prices across all segments. Petroleum and coal with weight of 5.7 percent decreased 3.7 percent in Oct 2014 and increased 2.0 percent in 12 months. Japan exports manufactured products and imports raw materials and commodities such that the country’s terms of trade, or export prices relative to import prices, deteriorate during commodity price increases. In contrast, prices of production machinery, with weight of 3.1 percent, decreased 0.1 percent in Oct 2014 and increased 3.0 percent in 12 months. In general, most manufactured products have been experiencing negative or low increases in prices while inflation rates have been high in 12 months for products originating in raw materials and commodities. Ironically, unconventional monetary policy of zero interest rates and quantitative easing that intended to increase aggregate demand and GDP growth deteriorated the terms of trade of advanced economies with adverse effects on real income (for analysis of terms of trade and growth see Pelaez (1979, 1976a). There are now inflation effects of the intentional policy of devaluing the yen.

Table IV-7, Japan, Corporate Goods Prices and Selected Components, % Weights, Month and 12 Months ∆%

Oct 2014

Weight

Month ∆%

12 Month ∆%

Total

1000.0

-0.8

2.9

Food, Beverages, Tobacco, Feedstuffs

137.5

-0.3

3.1

Petroleum & Coal

57.4

-3.7

2.0

Production Machinery

30.8

-0.1

3.9

Electronic Components

31.0

-0.1

-1.1

Electric Power, Gas & Water

52.7

-4.0

6.2

Iron & Steel

56.6

-0.4

3.2

Chemicals

92.1

-0.9

1.8

Transport
Equipment

136.4

0.0

2.9

Source: Bank of Japan

http://www.boj.or.jp/en/statistics/index.htm/

Percentage point contributions to change of the corporate goods price index (CGPI) in Jul 2014 are provided in Table IV-8 divided into domestic, export and import segments. The final block provides change in the corporate goods price without the effects of the increase in the tax on value added of consumption. In the domestic CGPI, decreasing 0.8 percent in Oct 2014, the energy shock is evident in the deduction of 0.28 percentage points by electric power, gas and water and 0.27 percentage points in petroleum and coal products in reversal of carry trades of exposures in commodity futures. The exports CGPI decreased 0.6 percent on the basis of the contract currency with deduction of 0.32 percentage points by metals and related products and 0.13 percentage points by chemicals and related products. The imports CGPI decreased 1.6 percent on the contract currency basis. Petroleum, coal and natural gas products deducted 1.07 percentage points. Shocks of risk aversion cause unwinding carry trades that result in declining commodity prices with resulting downward pressure on price indexes. The volatility of inflation adversely affects financial and economic decisions worldwide. The final block D shows that the change in the domestic corporate goods price index without the effects of the consumption tax is minus 0.8 percent.

Table IV-8, Japan, Percentage Point Contributions to Change of Corporate Goods Price Index

Groups Oct 2014

Contribution to Change Percentage Points

A. Domestic Corporate Goods Price Index

Monthly Change: 
-0.8%

Electric Power, Gas & Water

-0.28

Petroleum & Coal Products

-0.27

Chemicals & Related Products

-0.09

Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery Products

-0.07

Food, Beverages, Tobacco & Feedstuffs

-0.03

Scrap & Waster

-0.03

Iron & Steel

-0.02

B. Export Price Index

Monthly Change:   
-0.6% contract currency

Metals & Related Products

-0.32

Chemicals & Related Products

-0.13

Other Primary Products & Manufactured Goods

-0.13

General Purpose, Production & Business Oriented Machinery

-0.04

Transportation Equipment

0.05

C. Import Price Index

Monthly Change: -1.6% contract currency basis

Petroleum, Coal & Natural Gas

-1.07

Metals & Related Products

-0.44

Foodstuffs & Feedstuffs

-0.04

Chemicals & Related Products

-0.03

D. Domestic Corporate Goods Price Index Excluding Consumption Tax

Monthly Change: -0.8%

Electric Power, Gas & Water

-0.28

Petroleum & Coal Products

-0.27

Chemicals & Related Products

-0.09

Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery Products

-0.07

Food, Beverages, Tobacco & Feedstuffs

-0.03

Scrap & Waste

-0.03

Iron & Steel

-0.02

Source: Bank of Japan

http://www.boj.or.jp/en/statistics/index.htm/

There are two categories of responses in the Empire State Manufacturing Survey of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (http://www.newyorkfed.org/survey/empire/empiresurvey_overview.html): current conditions and expectations for the next six months. There are responses in the survey for two types of prices: prices received or inputs of production and prices paid or sales prices of products. Table IV-5 provides indexes for the two categories and within them for the two types of prices from Jan 2011 to Nov 2014. The index of current prices paid or costs of inputs moved from 16.13 in Dec 2012 to 10.64 in Nov 2014 while the index of current prices received or sales prices increased from 1.08 in Dec 2012 to 0.00 in Nov 2014. The farther the index is from the area of no change at zero, the faster the rate of change. Prices paid or of inputs at 10.64 in Nov 2014 are expanding at faster pace than prices received or of sales of products at 0.00. The index of future prices paid or expectations of costs of inputs in the next six months fell from 51.61 in Dec 2012 to 41.49 in Nov 2014 while the index of future prices received or expectation of sales prices in the next six months increased from 25.81 in Dec 2012 to 25.33 in Nov 2014. Priced paid or of inputs are expected to increase at a faster pace in the next six months than prices received or prices of sales products. Prices of sales of finished products are less dynamic than prices of costs of inputs during waves of increases. Prices of costs of costs of inputs fall less rapidly than prices of sales of finished products during waves of price decreases. As a result, margins of prices of sales less costs of inputs oscillate with typical deterioration against producers, forcing companies to manage tightly costs and labor inputs. Instability of sales/costs margins discourages investment and hiring.

Table IV-5, US, FRBNY Empire State Manufacturing Survey, Diffusion Indexes, Prices Paid and Prices Received, SA

 

Current Prices Paid

Current Prices Received

Six Months Prices Paid

Six Months Prices Received

Nov 2014

10.64

0.00

41.49

25.53

Oct

11.36

6.82

42.05

26.14

Sep

23.91

17.39

43.48

32.61

Aug

27.27

7.95

42.05

21.59

Jul

25.00

6.82

37.50

18.18

Jun

17.20

4.30

36.56

16.13

May

19.78

6.59

31.87

14.29

Apr

22.45

10.20

33.67

14.29

Mar

21.18

2.35

43.53

25.88

Feb

25.00

15.00

40.00

23.75

Jan

36.59

13.41

45.12

23.17

Dec 2013

15.66

3.61

48.19

27.71

Nov

17.11

-3.95

42.11

17.11

Oct

21.69

2.41

45.78

25.30

Sep

21.51

8.60

39.78

24.73

Aug

20.48

3.61

40.96

19.28

Jul

17.39

1.09

28.26

11.96

Jun

20.97

11.29

45.16

17.74

May

20.45

4.55

29.55

14.77

Apr

28.41

5.68

44.32

14.77

Mar

25.81

2.15

50.54

23.66

Feb

26.26

8.08

44.44

13.13

Jan

22.58

10.75

38.71

21.51

Dec 2012

16.13

1.08

51.61

25.81

Nov

14.61

5.62

39.33

15.73

Oct

17.20

4.30

44.09

24.73

Sep

19.15

5.32

40.43

23.40

Aug

16.47

2.35

31.76

14.12

Jul

7.41

3.70

35.80

16.05

Jun

19.59

1.03

34.02

17.53

May

37.35

12.05

57.83

22.89

Apr

45.78

19.28

50.60

22.89

Mar

50.62

13.58

66.67

32.10

Feb

25.88

15.29

62.35

34.12

Jan

26.37

23.08

53.85

30.77

Dec 2011

24.42

3.49

56.98

36.05

Nov

18.29

6.10

36.59

25.61

Oct

22.47

4.49

40.45

17.98

Sep

32.61

8.70

53.26

22.83

Aug

28.26

2.17

42.39

15.22

Jul

43.33

5.56

51.11

30.00

Jun

56.12

11.22

55.10

19.39

May

69.89

27.96

68.82

35.48

Apr

57.69

26.92

56.41

38.46

Mar

53.25

20.78

71.43

36.36

Feb

45.78

16.87

55.42

27.71

Jan 2011

35.79

15.79

60.00

42.11

Source: http://www.newyorkfed.org/survey/empire/empiresurvey_overview.html

Price indexes of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Outlook Survey are in Table IV-6. As inflation waves throughout the world (Section I and earlier http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/financial-oscillations-world-inflation.html), indexes of both current and expectations of future prices paid and received were quite high until May 2011. Prices paid, or inputs, were more dynamic, reflecting carry trades from zero interest rates to commodity futures. All indexes softened after May 2011 with even decline of prices received in Aug 2011 during the first round of risk aversion. Current and future price indexes have increased again but not back to the intensity in the beginning of 2011 because of risk aversion frustrating carry trades even induced by zero interest rates. The index of prices paid or prices of inputs moved from 20.6 in Dec 2012 to 17.3 in Nov 2014. The index of current prices received was minus 7.2 in Apr 2013, indicating decrease of prices received. The index of current prices received increased from 10.9 in Dec 2012 to 11.5 in Nov 2014. The farther the index is from the area of no change at zero, the faster the rate of change. The index of current prices paid or costs of inputs at 17.3 in Nov 2014 indicates faster increase than the index of current prices received or sales prices of production at 11.5. The index of future prices paid decreased to 35.5 in Nov 2014 from 41.9 in Dec 2012 while the index of future prices received decreased from 27.3 in Dec 2012 to 20.4 in Nov 2014. Expectations are incorporating faster increases in prices of inputs or costs of production, 35.5 in Nov 2014, than of sales prices of produced goods, 20.4 in Nov 2014, forcing companies to manage tightly costs and labor inputs. Volatility of margins of sales/costs discourages investment and hiring.

Table IV-6, US, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Business Outlook Survey, Current and Future Prices Paid and Prices Received, SA

 

Current Prices Paid

Current Prices Received

Future Prices Paid

Future Prices Received

10-Dec

42.6

6.0

56.8

25.7

11-Jan

47.9

12.1

58.7

34.1

11-Feb

61.1

13.2

62.6

30.7

11-Mar

57.6

17

62.1

32.4

11-Apr

50.9

20.8

55.3

33.7

11-May

49.3

20.5

54.6

28.5

11-Jun

38.9

7.7

41.6

6.8

11-Jul

35.6

6.3

48.3

16.7

11-Aug

24.6

-4

45.2

23.4

11-Sep

32

7.1

40.9

22.2

11-Oct

24.3

2.8

42.9

27.8

11-Nov

22.8

6.3

35.4

28.3

11-Dec

25

7

43.1

24.7

12-Jan

25.3

8

47.5

20.8

12-Feb

31.9

9.4

43.4

24.8

12-Mar

14.1

5.3

37.8

22.6

12-Apr

18.1

6.2

35.2

20.2

12-May

7.7

0.7

39.5

9.7

12-Jun

5.5

-3.7

34.8

16.9

12-Jul

10.8

4.9

27.9

20.3

12-Aug

18

5.6

39.5

25

12-Sep

15.8

3.5

42.2

27.5

12-Oct

19.9

7.1

45.8

15.3

12-Nov

23.6

6.5

47.6

12.8

12-Dec

20.6

10.9

41.9

27.3

13-Jan

11.8

-1.6

33.9

20

13-Feb

10.6

-1.3

25.4

20.6

13-Mar

7.6

-1.3

32.4

16.8

13-Apr

5

-7.2

28.9

9.9

13-May

9.7

0.2

33.5

19.9

13-Jun

23.7

14.6

33.3

24.3

13-Jul

22.7

8

41

25.6

13-Aug

20.4

11.1

40.7

24.5

13-Sep

25.9

12.5

43

31.6

13-Oct

21

12.8

43.1

34.6

13-Nov

25.4

9

43.5

38.1

13-Dec

16.4

10.8

39.1

34.8

14-Jan

18.7

5.1

35.3

11.8

14-Feb

14.2

7.6

18.2

16.3

14-Mar

13.9

4.3

29.4

15.9

14-Apr

11.3

4.3

35.1

13

14-May

23

17

36.1

29.5

14-Jun

35

14.1

44.5

30

14-Jul

34.7

16.8

38.2

23.5

14-Aug

24.9

4.2

50.3

29.5

14-Sep

27

8.8

46.2

31.3

14-Oct

27.6

20.8

32.9

22.5

14-Nov

17.3

11.5

35.5

20.4

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

http://www.phil.frb.org/index.cfm

Chart IV-1 of the Business Outlook Survey of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Outlook Survey provides the diffusion index of current prices paid or prices of inputs from 2006 to 2014. Recession dates are in shaded areas. In the middle of deep global contraction after IVQ2007, input prices continued to increase in speculative carry trades from central bank policy rates falling toward zero into commodities futures. The index peaked above 70 in the second half of 2008. Inflation of inputs moderated significantly during the shock of risk aversion in late 2008, even falling briefly into contraction territory below zero during several months in 2009 in the flight away from risk financial assets into US government securities (Cochrane and Zingales 2009) that unwound carry trades. Return of risk appetite induced carry trade with significant increase until return of risk aversion in the first round of the European sovereign debt crisis in Apr 2010. Carry trades returned during risk appetite in expectation that the European sovereign debt crisis was resolved. The various inflation waves originating in carry trades induced by zero interest rates with alternating episodes of risk aversion are mirrored in the prices of inputs after 2011, in particular after Aug 2012 with the announcement of the Outright Monetary Transactions Program of the European Central Bank (http://www.ecb.int/press/pr/date/2012/html/pr120906_1.en.html). Subsequent risk aversion and flows of capital away from commodities into stocks and high-yield bonds caused sharp decline in the index of prices paid followed by another recent rebound with marginal decline and new increase. The index falls and then rebounds in the final segment but there are no episodes of contraction after 2009.

clip_image008

Chart IV-1, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Business Outlook Survey Current Prices Paid Diffusion Index SA

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

http://www.philadelphiafed.org/index.cfm

Chart IV-2 of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Outlook Survey provides the diffusion index of current prices received from 2006 to 2014. The significant difference between the index of current prices paid in Chart IV-1 and the index of current prices received in Chart IV-2 is that increases in prices paid are significantly sharper than increases in prices received. There were several periods of negative readings of prices received from 2010 to 2014 but none of prices paid. Prices paid relative to prices received deteriorate most of the time largely because of the carry trades from zero interest rates to commodity futures. Profit margins of business are compressed intermittently by fluctuations of commodity prices induced by unconventional monetary policy of zero interest rates, frustrating production, investment and hiring decisions of business, which is precisely the opposite outcome pursued by unconventional monetary policy.

clip_image010

Chart IV-2, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Business Outlook Survey Current Prices Received Diffusion Index SA

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

http://www.philadelphiafed.org/index.cfm

VC China. China estimates an index of nonmanufacturing purchasing managers based on a sample of 1200 nonmanufacturing enterprises across the country (http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/pressrelease/t20121009_402841094.htm). Table CIPMNM provides this index and components. The total index increased from 55.7 in Jan 2011 to 58.0 in Mar 2012, decreasing to 53.9 in Aug 2013. The index decreased from 56.0 in Nov 2013 to 54.6 in Dec 2013, easing to 53.4 in Jan 2014. The index moved to 53.8 in Oct 2014. The index of new orders increased from 52.2 in Jan 2012 to 54.3 in Dec 2012 but fell to 50.1 in May 2013, barely above the neutral frontier of 50.0. The index of new orders stabilized at 51.0 in Nov-Dec 2013, easing to 50.9 in Jan 2014. The index of new orders increased to 51.0 in Oct 2014.

Table CIPMNM, China, Nonmanufacturing Index of Purchasing Managers, %, Seasonally Adjusted

 

Total Index

New Orders

Interm.
Input Prices

Subs Prices

Exp

Oct 2014

53.8

51.0

52.0

48.8

59.9

Sep

54.0

49.5

49.8

47.3

60.9

Aug

54.4

50.0

52.2

48.3

61.2

Jul

54.2

50.7

53.4

49.5

61.5

Jun

55.0

50.7

56.0

50.8

60.4

May

55.5

52.7

54.5

49.0

60.7

Apr

54.8

50.8

52.4

49.4

61.5

Mar

54.5

50.8

52.8

49.5

61.5

Feb

55.0

51.4

52.1

49.0

59.9

Jan

53.4

50.9

54.5

50.1

58.1

Dec 2013

54.6

51.0

56.9

52.0

58.7

Nov

56.0

51.0

54.8

49.5

61.3

Oct

56.3

51.6

56.1

51.4

60.5

Sep

55.4

53.4

56.7

50.6

60.1

Aug

53.9

50.9

57.1

51.2

62.9

Jul

54.1

50.3

58.2

52.4

63.9

Jun

53.9

50.3

55.0

50.6

61.8

May

54.3

50.1

54.4

50.7

62.9

Apr

54.5

50.9

51.1

47.6

62.5

Mar

55.6

52.0

55.3

50.0

62.4

Feb

54.5

51.8

56.2

51.1

62.7

Jan

56.2

53.7

58.2

50.9

61.4

Dec 2012

56.1

54.3

53.8

50.0

64.6

Nov

55.6

53.2

52.5

48.4

64.6

Oct

55.5

51.6

58.1

50.5

63.4

Sep

53.7

51.8

57.5

51.3

60.9

Aug

56.3

52.7

57.6

51.2

63.2

Jul

55.6

53.2

49.7

48.7

63.9

Jun

56.7

53.7

52.1

48.6

65.5

May

55.2

52.5

53.6

48.5

65.4

Apr

56.1

52.7

57.9

50.3

66.1

Mar

58.0

53.5

60.2

52.0

66.6

Feb

57.3

52.7

59.0

51.2

63.8

Jan

55.7

52.2

58.2

51.1

65.3

Notes: Interm.: Intermediate; Subs: Subscription; Exp: Business Expectations

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/

Chart CIPMNM provides China’s nonmanufacturing purchasing managers’ index. The index fell from 56.3 in Oct 2013 to 53.8 in Oct 2014.

ChCIPMNMW020141103480984201644_r75

Chart CIPMNM, China, Nonmanufacturing Index of Purchasing Managers, Seasonally Adjusted

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/

Table CIPMMFG provides the index of purchasing managers of manufacturing seasonally adjusted of the National Bureau of Statistics of China. The general index (IPM) rose from 50.5 in Jan 2012 to 53.3 in Apr 2012, falling to 49.2 in Aug 2012, rebounding to 50.6 in Dec 2012. The index fell to 50.1 in Jun 2013, barely above the neutral frontier at 50.0, recovering to 51.4 in Nov 2013 but falling to 51.0 in Dec 2013. The index fell to 50.5 in Jan 2014 and 50.8 in Oct 2014. The index of new orders fell from 54.5 in Apr 2012 to 51.2 in Dec 2012. The index of new orders fell from 52.3 in Nov 2013 to 52.0 in Dec 2013. The index fell to 50.9 in Jan 2014 and increased to 51.6 in Oct 2014.

Table CIPMMFG, China, Manufacturing Index of Purchasing Managers, %, Seasonally Adjusted

 

IPM

PI

NOI

INV

EMP

SDEL

Oct 2014

50.8

53.1

51.6

48.4

48.4

50.1

Sep

51.1

53.6

52.2

48.8

48.2

50.1

Aug

51.1

53.2

52.5

48.6

48.2

50.0

Jul

51.7

54.2

53.6

49.0

48.3

50.2

Jun

51.0

53.0

52.8

48.0

48.6

50.5

May

50.8

52.8

52.3

48.0

48.2

50.3

Apr

50.4

52.5

51.2

48.1

48.3

50.1

Mar

50.3

52.7

50.6

47.8

48.3

49.8

Feb

50.2

52.6

50.5

47.4

48.0

49.9

Jan

50.5

53.0

50.9

47.8

48.2

49.8

Dec 2013

51.0

53.9

52.0

47.6

48.7

50.5

Nov

51.4

54.5

52.3

47.8

49.6

50.6

Oct

51.4

54.4

52.5

48.6

49.2

50.8

Sep

51.1

52.9

52.8

48.5

49.1

50.8

Aug

51.0

52.6

52.4

48.0

49.3

50.4

Jul

50.3

52.4

50.6

47.6

49.1

50.1

Jun

50.1

52.0

50.4

47.4

48.7

50.3

May

50.8

53.3

51.8

47.6

48.8

50.8

Apr

50.6

52.6

51.7

47.5

49.0

50.8

Mar

50.9

52.7

52.3

47.5

49.8

51.1

Feb

50.1

51.2

50.1

49.5

47.6

48.3

Jan

50.4

51.3

51.6

50.1

47.8

50.0

Dec 2012

50.6

52.0

51.2

47.3

49.0

48.8

Nov

50.6

52.5

51.2

47.9

48.7

49.9

Oct

50.2

52.1

50.4

47.3

49.2

50.1

Sep

49.8

51.3

49.8

47.0

48.9

49.5

Aug

49.2

50.9

48.7

45.1

49.1

50.0

Jul

50.1

51.8

49.0

48.5

49.5

49.0

Jun

50.2

52.0

49.2

48.2

49.7

49.1

May

50.4

52.9

49.8

45.1

50.5

49.0

Apr

53.3

57.2

54.5

48.5

51.0

49.6

Mar

53.1

55.2

55.1

49.5

51.0

48.9

Feb

51.0

53.8

51.0

48.8

49.5

50.3

Jan

50.5

53.6

50.4

49.7

47.1

49.7

IPM: Index of Purchasing Managers; PI: Production Index; NOI: New Orders Index; EMP: Employed Person Index; SDEL: Supplier Delivery Time Index

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/

China estimates the manufacturing index of purchasing managers on the basis of a sample of 820 enterprises (http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/pressrelease/t20121009_402841094.htm). Chart CIPMMFG provides the manufacturing index of purchasing managers. The index fell to 50.1 in Jun 2013. The index decreased from 51.4 in Nov 2013 to 51.0 in Dec 2013. The index moved to 50.8 in Oct 2014.

ChCIPMMFGW020141102393167712452_r75

Chart CIPMMFG, China, Manufacturing Index of Purchasing Managers, Seasonally Adjusted

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/

Cumulative growth of China’s GDP in IIIQ2014 relative to the same period in 2013 was 7.4 percent, as shown in Table VC-GDP. Secondary industry accounts for 44.2 percent of cumulative GDP in IIIQ2014. In cumulative IIIQ2014, industry alone accounts for 37.4 percent of GDP and construction with the remaining 6.8 percent. Tertiary industry accounts for 46.7 percent of cumulative GDP in IIIQ2014 and primary industry for 9.0 percent. China’s growth strategy consisted of rapid increases in productivity in industry to absorb population from agriculture where incomes are lower (Pelaez and Pelaez, The Global Recession Risk (2007), 56-80). The strategy is shifting to lower growth rates with improvement in living standards. The bottom block of Table VC-GDP provides quarter-on-quarter growth rates of GDP and their annual equivalent. China’s GDP growth decelerated significantly from annual equivalent 10.4 percent in IIQ2011 to 7.4 percent in IVQ2011 and 5.7 percent in IQ2012, rebounding to 8.7 percent in IIQ2012, 8.2 percent in IIIQ2012 and 7.8 percent in IVQ2012. Annual equivalent growth in IQ2013 fell to 6.6 percent and to 7.3 percent in IIQ2013, rebounding to 9.5 percent in IIIQ2013. Annual equivalent growth was 7.0 percent in IVQ2013, declining to 6.1 percent in IQ2014 and increasing to 8.2 percent in IIQ2014. Annual equivalent growth slowed to 7.8 percent in IIIQ2014.

Table VC-GDP, China, Quarterly Growth of GDP, Current CNY 100 Million and Inflation Adjusted ∆%

Cumulative GDP IIIQ2014

Value Current CNY Billion

2014 Year-on-Year Constant Prices ∆%

GDP

41,990.8

7.4

Primary Industry

3799.6

4.2

  Farming

3799.6

4.2

Secondary Industry

18,578.7

7.4

  Industry

15,705.7

7.1

  Construction

2873.0

9.0

Tertiary Industry

19,612.5

7.9

  Transport, Storage, Post

2337.0

7.0

  Wholesale, Retail Trades

3893.0

9.7

  Hotel & Catering Services

847.6

6.2

  Financial Intermediation

2965.5

9.1

  Real Estate

2641.4

2.3

  Other

6928.0

9.0

Growth in Quarter Relative to Prior Quarter

∆% on Prior Quarter

∆% Annual Equivalent

2014

   

IIIQ2014

1.9

7.8

IIQ2014

2.0

8.2

IQ2014

1.5

6.1

2013

   

IVQ2013

1.7

7.0

IIIQ2013

2.3

9.5

IIQ2013

1.8

7.4

IQ2013

1.6

6.6

2012

   

IVQ2012

1.9

7.8

IIIQ2012

2.0

8.2

IIQ2012

2.1

8.7

IQ2012

1.4

5.7

2011

   

IVQ2011

1.8

7.4

IIIQ2011

2.2

9.1

IIQ2011

2.5

10.4

IQ2011

2.3

9.5

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/

Growth of China’s GDP in IIIQ2014 relative to the same period in 2013 was 7.3 percent, as shown in Table VC-GDPA. Secondary industry accounts for 44.2 percent of GDP of which industry alone for 37.4 percent in cumulative IIIQ2014 and construction with the remaining 6.8 percent. Tertiary industry accounts for 46.7 percent of GDP in cumulative IIQ2014 and primary industry for 9.0 percent. China’s growth strategy consisted of rapid increases in productivity in industry to absorb population from agriculture where incomes are lower (Pelaez and Pelaez, The Global Recession Risk (2007), 56-80). The strategy is changing to lower growth rates while improving living standards. GDP growth decelerated from 12.1 percent in IQ2010 and 11.2 percent in IIQ2010 to 7.7 percent in IQ2013, 7.5 percent in IIQ2013 and 7.8 percent in IIIQ2013. GDP grew 7.7 percent in IVQ2013 relative to a year earlier and 1.7 percent relative to IIIQ2013, which is equivalent to 7.0 percent per year. GDP grew 7.4 percent in IQ2014 relative to a year earlier and 1.5 percent in IQ2014 that is equivalent to 6.1 percent per year. GP grew 7.5 percent in IIQ2014 relative to a year earlier and 2.0 percent relative to the prior quarter, which is equivalent 8.2 percent. In IIIQ2014, GDP grew 7.3 percent relative to a year earlier and 1.9 percent relative to the prior quarter, which is 7.8 percent in annual equivalent.

Table VC-GDPA, China, Growth Rate of GDP, ∆% Relative to a Year Earlier and ∆% Relative to Prior Quarter

 

IQ 2013

IIQ 2013

IIIQ 2013

IVQ 2013

IQ

2014

IIQ 2014

IIIQ 2014

 

GDP

7.7

7.5

7.8

7.7

7.4

7.5

7.3

 

Primary Industry

3.4

3.0

3.4

4.0

3.5

3.9

4.2

 

Secondary Industry

7.8

7.6

7.8

7.8

7.3

7.4

7.4

 

Tertiary Industry

8.3

8.3

8.4

8.3

7.1

8.0

7.9

 

GDP ∆% Relative to a Prior Quarter

1.6

1.8

2.3

1.7

1.5

2.0

1.9

 
 

IQ 2011

IIQ 2011

IIIQ 2011

IVQ 2011

IQ 

2012

IIQ 2012

IIIQ 2012

IVQ 2012

GDP

9.7

9.5

9.1

8.9

8.1

7.6

7.4

7.9

Primary Industry

3.5

3.2

3.8

4.5

3.8

4.3

4.2

4.5

Secondary Industry

11.1

11.0

10.8

10.6

9.1

8.3

8.1

8.1

Tertiary Industry

9.1

9.2

9.0

8.9

7.5

7.7

7.9

8.1

GDP ∆% Relative to a Prior Quarter

2.3

2.5

2.2

1.8

1.4

2.1

2.0

1.9

 

IQ 2010

IIQ 2010

IIIQ 2010

IVQ 2010

       

GDP

12.1

11.2

10.7

12.1

       

Primary Industry

3.8

3.6

4.0

3.8

       

Secondary Industry

14.5

13.3

12.6

14.5

       

Tertiary Industry

10.5

9.9

9.7

10.5

       

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/

Chart VC-GDP of the National Bureau of Statistics of China provides annual value and growth rates of GDP. China’s GDP growth in 2013 is still high at 7.7 percent but at the lowest rhythm in five years.

ChVC-GDPW020140224376367229279

Chart VC-GDP, China, Gross Domestic Product, Million Yuan and ∆%, 2009-2013

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/

Chart VC-FXR provides China’s foreign exchange reserves. FX reserves grew from $2399.2 billion in 2009 to $3821.3 billion in 2013 driven by high growth of China’s trade surplus.

ChVC-FXRW020140224376367389226

Chart VC-FXR, China, Foreign Exchange Reserves, 2009-2013

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China http://www.stats.gov.cn/english

Chart VC-Trade provides China’s imports and exports. Exports exceeded imports with resulting large trade balance surpluses that increased foreign exchange reserves.

ChVC-TradeW020140224376367380700

Chart VC-Trade, China, Imports and Exports of Goods, 2009-2013, $100 Million US Dollars

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China http://www.stats.gov.cn/english

The HSBC Flash China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) compiled by Markit (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/67d6ee4cd3ee41c3b8cc48eb1e6d1bb2) is weakening. The overall Flash HSBC China Manufacturing PMI decreased from 50.4 in Oct to 50.4 in Nov, while the Flash HSBC China Manufacturing Output Index decreased from 50.7 in Oct to 49.5 in Nov, indicating moderate stress. Exports orders indicate expansion at slower rate. Hongbin Qu, Chief Economist, China and Co-Head of Asian Economic Research at HSBC, finds need for monetary/fiscal stimulus (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/67d6ee4cd3ee41c3b8cc48eb1e6d1bb2). The HSBC China Services PMI, compiled by Markit, shows improvement in business activity in China with the HSBC Composite Output, combining manufacturing and services, decreasing from 52.8 in Aug to 52.3 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/8614cb018b204bbd995dd9dff5830c43). Hongbin Qu, Chief Economist, China and Co-Head of Asian Economic Research at HSBC, finds need of easing policies in consolidating growth (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/8614cb018b204bbd995dd9dff5830c43). The HSBC China Services Business Activity index decreased from 54.1 in Aug to 53.5 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/8614cb018b204bbd995dd9dff5830c43). Hongbin Qu, Chief Economist, China & Co-Head of Asian Economic Research at HSBC, finds that the services PMI shows sustained activity (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/8614cb018b204bbd995dd9dff5830c43). The HSBC Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by Markit, did not change to 50.2 in Sep from 50.2 in Aug, indicating near neutral manufacturing (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/d578e13981d44eb69ce706c58ff2e6e5). New export orders strengthened. Hongbin Qu, Chief Economist, China and Co-Head of Asian Economic Research at HSBC, finds weakening demand in China with possible need of monetary and fiscal policy enhancement (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/d578e13981d44eb69ce706c58ff2e6e5). Table CNY provides the country data table for China.

Table CNY, China, Economic Indicators

Price Indexes for Industry

Oct 12-month ∆%: minus 2.2

Aug month ∆%: -0.4
Blog 11/16/14

Consumer Price Index

Oct month ∆%: 0.0 Oct 12 months ∆%: 1.6
Blog 11/16/14

Value Added of Industry

Sep month ∆%: 0.91

Jan-Sep 2014/Jan-Sep 2013 ∆%: 8.5
Blog 10/26/14

GDP Growth Rate

Year IIIQ2014 ∆%: 7.5

First Three Quarters 2014 ∆%: 7.3
Quarter IIQ2014 AE ∆%: 7.8
Blog 10/26/14

Investment in Fixed Assets

Total Jan-Sep 2014 ∆%: 16.1

Real estate development: 12.5
Blog 10/26/14

Retail Sales

Sep month ∆%: 0.85
Sep 12 month ∆%: 11.6

Jan-Sep ∆%: 12.0
Blog 10/26/14

Trade Balance

Sep balance $31.0 billion
Exports 12M ∆% 15.3
Imports 12M ∆% -7.0

Cumulative Jan-Sep: $200.0 billion
Blog 10/19/14

Links to blog comments in Table CNY:

11/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/fluctuating-financial-variables.html

10/26/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/financial-oscillations-world-inflation.html

10/19/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/imf-view-squeeze-of-economic-activity.html

VD Euro Area. Table VD-EUR provides yearly growth rates of the combined GDP of the members of the European Monetary Union (EMU) or euro area since 1996. Growth was very strong at 3.3 percent in 2006 and 3.0 percent in 2007. The global recession had strong impact with growth of only 0.4 percent in 2008 and decline of 4.4 percent in 2009. Recovery was at lower growth rates of 2.0 percent in 2010 and 1.6 percent in 2011. EUROSTAT estimates growth of GDP of the euro area of minus 0.7 percent in 2012 and minus 0.4 percent in 2013 but 1.1 percent in 2014 and 1.7 percent in 2015.

Table VD-EUR, Euro Area, Yearly Percentage Change of Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices, Unemployment and GDP ∆%

Year

HICP ∆%

Unemployment
%

GDP ∆%

1999

1.2

9.6

2.9

2000

2.2

8.8

3.8

2001

2.4

8.2

2.0

2002

2.3

8.5

0.9

2003

2.1

9.0

0.7

2004

2.2

9.2

2.2

2005

2.2

9.1

1.7

2006

2.2

8.4

3.3

2007

2.2

7.5

3.0

2008

3.3

7.6

0.4

2009

0.3

9.6

-4.5

2010

1.6

10.1

1.9

2011

2.7

10.1

1.6

2012

2.5

11.3

-0.7

2013*

1.3

12.0

-0.4

2014*

   

1.1

2015*

   

1.7

*EUROSTAT forecast Source: EUROSTAT

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home/

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/statistics/search_database

The GDP of the euro area in 2012 in current US dollars in the dataset of the World Economic Outlook (WEO) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is $12,199.1 billion or 16.9 percent of world GDP of $72,216.4 billion (http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2012/02/weodata/index.aspx). The sum of the GDP of France $2613.9 billion with the GDP of Germany of $3429.5 billion, Italy of $2014.1 billion and Spain $1323.5 billion is $9381.0 billion or 76.9 percent of total euro area GDP and 13.0 percent of World GDP. The four largest economies account for slightly more than three quarters of economic activity of the euro area. Table VD-EUR1 is constructed with the dataset of EUROSTAT, providing growth rates of the euro area as a whole and of the largest four economies of Germany, France, Italy and Spain annually from 1996 to 2011 with the estimate of 2012 and forecasts for 2013, 2014 and 2015 by EUROSTAT. The impact of the global recession on the overall euro area economy and on the four largest economies was quite strong. There was sharp contraction in 2009 and growth rates have not rebounded to earlier growth with exception of Germany in 2010 and 2011.

Table VD-EUR1, Euro Area, Real GDP Growth Rate, ∆%

 

Euro Area

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

2015*

1.7

1.9

1.7

1.2

1.7

2014*

1.1

1.7

0.9

0.7

0.5

2013*

-0.4

0.4

0.2

-1.9

-1.2

2012

-0.7

0.7

0.0

-2.4

-1.6

2011

1.6

3.3

2.0

0.4

0.1

2010

1.9

4.0

1.7

1.7

-0.2

2009

-4.5

-5.1

-3.1

-5.5

-3.8

2008

0.4

1.1

-0.1

-1.2

0.9

2007

3.0

3.3

2.3

1.7

3.5

2006

3.3

3.7

2.5

2.2

4.1

2005

1.7

0.7

1.8

0.9

3.6

2004

2.2

1.2

2.5

1.7

3.3

2003

0.7

-0.4

0.9

0.0

3.1

2002

0.9

0.0

0.9

0.5

2.7

2001

2.0

1.5

1.8

1.9

3.7

2000

3.8

3.1

3.7

3.7

5.0

1999

2.9

1.9

3.3

1.5

4.7

1998

2.8

1.9

3.4

1.4

4.5

1997

2.6

1.7

2.2

1.9

3.9

1996

1.5

0.8

1.1

1.1

2.5

Source: EUROSTAT

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home/

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/statistics/search_database

The Flash Eurozone PMI Composite Output Index of the Markit Flash Eurozone PMI®, combining activity in manufacturing and services, decreased from 52.1 in Oct to 51.4 in Nov (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/d5ed8bd5aad54a8f97d57072f87f0aab). Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit, finds that the Markit Flash Eurozone PMI index suggests GDP growth around 0.1 to 0.2 percent in IVQ2014 (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/d5ed8bd5aad54a8f97d57072f87f0aab). The Markit Eurozone PMI® Composite Output Index, combining services and manufacturing activity with close association with GDP decreased from 52.5 in Aug to 52.0 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/01d8b102223d449881e2878c1544c892). Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit, finds slowing growth of GDP at 0.2 to 0.3 percent in IIIQ2014 (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/01d8b102223d449881e2878c1544c892). The Markit Eurozone Services Business Activity Index decreased from 53.1 in Aug to 52.4 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/01d8b102223d449881e2878c1544c892). The Markit Eurozone Manufacturing PMI® decreased to 50.3 in Sep from 50.5 in Aug (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/81a993f313ab4bdfbbd1bff81aa7dcea). New export orders increased for the fifteenth consecutive month. Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit, finds slowing industrial growth in the euro area (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/81a993f313ab4bdfbbd1bff81aa7dcea). Table EUR provides the data table for the euro area.

Table EUR, Euro Area Economic Indicators

GDP

IIIQ2014 ∆% 0.2; IIIQ2014/IIIQ2013 ∆% 0.8 Blog 11/16/14

Unemployment 

Sep 2014: 11.5 % unemployment rate; Sep 2014: 18.347 million unemployed

Blog 11/16/14

HICP

Oct month ∆%: -0.1

12 months Sep ∆%: 0.4
Blog 11/16/14

Producer Prices

Euro Zone industrial producer prices Sep ∆%: 0.2
Sep 12-month ∆%: -1.4
Blog 11/16/14

Industrial Production

Aug month ∆%: -1.8; Aug 12 months ∆%: -1.9
Blog 10/19/14

Retail Sales

Aug month ∆%: 1.2
Aug 12 months ∆%: 1.9
Blog 10/12/14

Confidence and Economic Sentiment Indicator

Sentiment 99.9 Sep 2014

Consumer minus 11.4 Sep 2014

Blog 10/5/14

Trade

Jan-Aug 2014/Jan-Aug 2013 Exports ∆%: 0.8
Imports ∆%: -0.2

Aug 2014 12-month Exports ∆% -2.8 Imports ∆% -4.4
Blog 10/19/14

Links to blog comments in Table EUR:

11/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/fluctuating-financial-variables.html

10/19/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/imf-view-squeeze-of-economic-activity.html

10/12/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/global-financial-volatility-recovery.html

10/5/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/world-financial-turbulence-twenty-seven.html

VE Germany. Table VE-DE provides yearly growth rates of the German economy from 1971 to 2013, price adjusted chain-linked and price and calendar-adjusted chain-linked. Germany’s GDP fell 5.6 percent in 2009 after growing below trend at 1.1 percent in 2008. Recovery has been robust in contrast with other advanced economies. The German economy grew at 4.1 percent in 2010, 3.6 percent in 2011 and 0.4 percent in 2012. Growth decelerated to 0.1 percent in 2013.

The Federal Statistical Agency of Germany analyzes the fall and recovery of the German economy (http://www.destatis.de/jetspeed/portal/cms/Sites/destatis/Internet/EN/Content/Statistics/VolkswirtschaftlicheGesamtrechnungen/Inlandsprodukt/Aktuell,templateId=renderPrint.psml):

“The German economy again grew strongly in 2011. The price-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 3.0% compared with the previous year. Accordingly, the catching-up process of the German economy continued during the second year after the economic crisis. In the course of 2011, the price-adjusted GDP again exceeded its pre-crisis level. The economic recovery occurred mainly in the first half of 2011. In 2009, Germany experienced the most serious post-war recession, when GDP suffered a historic decline of 5.1%. The year 2010 was characterised by a rapid economic recovery (+3.7%).”

Table VE-4 provides annual growth rates of the German economy from 1970 to 2013, price adjusted chain-linked and price and calendar-adjusted chain-linked. Germany’s GDP fell 5.6 percent in 2009 after growing below trend at 1.1 percent in 2008. Recovery has been robust in contrast with other advanced economies. The German economy grew at 4.1 percent in 2010, 3.6 percent in 2011 and 0.4 percent in 2012. Growth in 2013 was 0.1 percent.

Table VE-DE, Germany, GDP ∆% on Prior Year

 

Price Adjusted Chain-Linked

Price- and Calendar-Adjusted Chain Linked

Average ∆% 1991-2013

1.3

 

Average ∆% 1991-1999

1.5

 

Average ∆% 2000-2007

1.4

 

Average ∆% 2003-2007

2.2

 

Average ∆% 2007-2013

0.5

 

Average ∆% 2009-2013

2.0

 

2013

0.1

0.2

2012

0.4

0.6

2011

3.6

3.7

2010

4.1

3.9

2009

-5.6

-5.6

2008

1.1

0.8

2007

3.3

3.4

2006

3.7

3.9

2005

0.7

0.9

2004

1.2

0.7

2003

-0.7

-0.7

2002

0.0

0.0

2001

1.7

1.8

2000

3.0

3.2

1999

2.0

1.9

1998

2.0

1.7

1997

1.8

1.9

1996

0.8

0.8

1995

1.7

1.8

1994

2.5

2.5

1993

-1.0

-1.0

1992

1.9

1.5

1991

5.1

5.2

1990

5.3

5.5

1989

3.9

4.0

1988

3.7

3.4

1987

1.4

1.3

1986

2.3

2.3

1985

2.3

2.3

1984

2.8

2.9

1983

1.6

1.5

1982

-0.4

-0.5

1981

0.5

0.6

1980

1.4

1.3

1979

4.2

4.3

1978

3.0

3.1

1977

3.3

3.5

1976

4.9

4.5

1975

-0.9

-0.9

1974

0.9

1.0

1973

4.8

5.0

1972

4.3

4.3

1971

3.1

3.0

1970

NA

NA

Source: Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland (Destatis)

https://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/NationalEconomyEnvironment/NationalAccounts/NationalAccounts.html

https://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/NationalEconomyEnvironment/NationalAccounts/DomesticProduct/CurrentRevision.html

https://www.destatis.de/EN/Methods/NationalAccountRevision/Revision2014_BackgroundPaper.pdf?__blob=publicationFile

https://www.destatis.de/EN/PressServices/Press/pr/2014/02/PE14_048_811.html

https://www.destatis.de/EN/PressServices/Press/pr/2013/08/PE13_278_811.html https://www.destatis.de/EN/PressServices/Press/pr/2013/11/PE13_381_811.html

https://www.destatis.de/EN/PressServices/Press/pr/2014/01/PE14_016_811.html

https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressekonferenzen/2014/BIP2013/Pressebroschuere_BIP2013.html

https://www.destatis.de/EN/PressServices/Press/pr/2014/05/PE14_167_811.html

https://www.destatis.de/EN/PressServices/Press/pr/2014/09/PE14_306_811.html

https://www.destatis.de/EN/PressServices/Press/pr/2014/11/PE14_401_811.html

The Flash Germany Composite Output Index of the Markit Flash Germany PMI®, combining manufacturing and services, decreased from 53.9 in Oct to 52.1 in Nov. The index of manufacturing output reached 52.0 in Nov, decreasing from 52.0 in Oct, while the index of services decreased to 52.1 in Nov from 54.4 in Oct. The overall Flash Germany Manufacturing PMI® decreased from 51.4 in Oct to 50.0 in Nov (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/f44b099a010349199847985ca7b98754). New orders in manufacturing contracted. Oliver Kolodseike, Economist at Markit, finds continuing weakness in GDP growth (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/f44b099a010349199847985ca7b98754). The Markit Germany Composite Output Index of the Markit Germany Services PMI®, combining manufacturing and services with close association with Germany’s GDP, increased from 53.7 in Aug to 54.1 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/b19f96225be143568e50e16a95142f66). Oliver Kolodseike, Senior Economist at Markit and author of the report, finds growth of GDP in IIIQ2014 (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/b19f96225be143568e50e16a95142f66). The Germany Services Business Activity Index increased from 54.9 in Aug to 55.7 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/b19f96225be143568e50e16a95142f66). The Markit/BME Germany Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®), showing close association with Germany’s manufacturing conditions, decreased from 51.4 in Aug to 49.9 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/500b6b4240084dd085c344857edb3549). New export orders increased for the fourteenth consecutive month. Oliver Kolodseike, Senior Economist at Markit and author of the report, finds slowing output and new orders (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/500b6b4240084dd085c344857edb3549).Table DE provides the country data table for Germany.

Table DE, Germany, Economic Indicators

GDP

IIQ2014 -0.2 ∆%; II/Q2014/IIQ2013 ∆% 0.8

2013/2012: 0.1%

GDP ∆% 1970-2013

Blog 8/26/12 5/27/12 11/25/12 2/24/13 5/19/13 5/26/13 8/18/13 8/25/13 11/17/13 11/24/13 1/26/14 2/16/14 3/2/14 5/18/14 5/25/14 8/17/14 9/7/14 11/16/14

Consumer Price Index

Oct month NSA ∆%: -0.3
Oct 12-month NSA ∆%: 0.8
Blog 11/16/14

Producer Price Index

Oct month ∆%: -0.2 NSA, minus 0.1 CSA
12-month NSA ∆%: -1.0
Blog 11/23/14

Industrial Production

MFG Aug month CSA ∆%: minus 4.7
12-month NSA: -5.3
Blog 10/12/14

Machine Orders

MFG Aug month ∆%: -5.7
Aug 12-month ∆%: -4.1
Blog 10/12/14

Retail Sales

Aug Month ∆% 0.71

12-Month ∆% 2.5

Blog 10/5/14

Employment Report

Unemployment Rate SA Sep 5.0%
Blog 11/2/14

Trade Balance

Exports Aug 12-month NSA ∆%: -1.0
Imports Aug 12 months NSA ∆%: -2.4
Exports Aug month CSA ∆%: -5.8; Imports Aug month CSA minus -1.3

Blog 10/12/14

Links to blog comments in Table DE:

11/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/fluctuating-financial-variables.html

11/2/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/growth-uncertainties-mediocre-cyclical.html

10/19/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/imf-view-squeeze-of-economic-activity.html

10/12/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/global-financial-volatility-recovery.html

10/5/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/world-financial-turbulence-twenty-seven.html

9/7/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/competitive-monetary-policy-and.html

8/17/2014 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/weakening-world-economic-growth.html

5/25/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/united-states-commercial-banks-assets.html

5/18/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/world-inflation-waves-squeeze-of.html

3/2/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/financial-risks-slow-cyclical-united.html

2/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/theory-and-reality-of-cyclical-slow.html

1/26/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/capital-flows-exchange-rates-and.html

11/24/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/risks-of-zero-interest-rates-world.html

11/17/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/risks-of-unwinding-monetary-policy.html

8/25/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/interest-rate-risks-duration-dumping.html

8/18/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/duration-dumping-and-peaking-valuations.html

VF France. Table VF-FR provides growth rates of GDP of France with the estimates of Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques (INSEE). The long-term rate of GDP growth of France from IVQ1949 to IVQ2012 is quite high at 3.2 percent. France’s growth rates were quite high in the four decades of the 1950s, 1960, 1970s and 1980s with an average growth rate of 4.0 percent compounding the average rates in the decades and discounting to one decade. The growth impulse diminished with 2.0 percent in the 1990s and 1.8 percent from 2000 to 2007. The average growth rate from 2000 to 2012, using fourth quarter data, is 1.1 percent because of the sharp impact of the global recession from IVQ2007 to IIQ2009. The growth rate from 2000 to 2012 is 1.1 percent. Cobet and Wilson (2002) provide estimates of output per hour and unit labor costs in national currency and US dollars for the US, Japan and Germany from 1950 to 2000 (see Pelaez and Pelaez, The Global Recession Risk (2007), 137-44). The average yearly rate of productivity change from 1950 to 2000 was 2.9 percent in the US, 6.3 percent for Japan and 4.7 percent for Germany while unit labor costs in USD increased at 2.6 percent in the US, 4.7 percent in Japan and 4.3 percent in Germany. From 1995 to 2000, output per hour increased at the average yearly rate of 4.6 percent in the US, 3.9 percent in Japan and 2.6 percent in Germany while unit labor costs in US fell at minus 0.7 percent in the US, 4.3 percent in Japan and 7.5 percent in Germany. There was increase in productivity growth in the G7 in Japan and France in the second half of the 1990s but significantly lower than the acceleration of 1.3 percentage points per year in the US. Lucas (2011May) compares growth of the G7 economies (US, UK, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Canada) and Spain, finding that catch-up growth with earlier rates for the US and UK stalled in the 1970s.

Table VF-FR, France, Average Growth Rates of GDP Fourth Quarter, 1949-2013

Period

Average ∆%

1949-2013

3.2

2007-2013

0.3

2000-2013

1.1

2000-2012

1.1

2000-2007

1.8

1990-1999

2.1

1980-1989

2.6

1970-1979

3.7

1960-1969

5.7

1950-1959

4.2

Source: Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques

http://www.insee.fr/en/themes/info-rapide.asp?id=26&date=20141114

The Markit Flash France Composite Output Index increased from 48.2 in Oct to 48.4 in Nov (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/292b957845f746aa91f883b0cfbfad19). Jack Kennedy, Senior Economist at Markit and author of the report, finds continuing weak performance (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/292b957845f746aa91f883b0cfbfad19). The Markit France Composite Output Index, combining services and manufacturing with close association with French GDP, decreased from 49.5 in Aug to 48.4 in Sep, indicating marginal contraction (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/82be3cedbcdc4a839163e81d615900f9). Jack Kennedy, Senior Economist at Markit and author of the France Services PMI®, finds stagnating GDP growth (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/82be3cedbcdc4a839163e81d615900f9). The Markit France Services Activity index decreased from 50.3 in Aug to 48.4 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/82be3cedbcdc4a839163e81d615900f9). The Markit France Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index® increased to 48.8 in Sep from 46.9 in Aug (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/8bd5e41300354c52ac62bba016c38fa5). Jack Kennedy, Senior Economist at Markit and author of the France Manufacturing PMI®, finds deteriorating conditions because of weakness in new orders (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/8bd5e41300354c52ac62bba016c38fa5). Table FR provides the country data table for France.

Table FR, France, Economic Indicators

CPI

Sep month ∆% 0.0
12 months ∆%: 0.4
11/16/14

PPI

Sep month ∆%: 0.5
Sep 12 months ∆%: -1.4

Blog 11/9/14

GDP Growth

IIIQ2014/IIQ2014 ∆%:0.3
IIIQ2014/IIIQ2013 ∆%: 0.4
Blog 3/31/13 5/19/12 6/30/13 9/29/13 11/17/13 12/29/13 2/16/14 4/6/14 5/18/14 6/29/14 8/17/14 9/28/14 11/16/14

Industrial Production

Aug ∆%:
Manufacturing -0.2 12-Month ∆%:
Manufacturing -0.6
Blog 10/12/14

Consumer Spending

Manufactured Goods
Aug ∆%: 0.8 Aug 12-Month Manufactured Goods
∆%: 1.4
Blog 10/5/14

Employment

Unemployment Rate: IIQ2014 9.7%
Blog 9/7/14

Trade Balance

Aug Exports ∆%: month -1.3, 12 months -1.2

Aug Imports ∆%: month -0.6, 12 months 0.1

Blog 10/12/14

Confidence Indicators

Historical average 100

Oct Mfg Business Climate 97.0

Blog 10/26/14

Links to blog comments in Table FR:

11/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/fluctuating-financial-variables.html

11/9/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/rules-discretionary-authorities-and.html

10/26/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/financial-oscillations-world-inflation.html

10/19/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/imf-view-squeeze-of-economic-activity.html

10/12/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/global-financial-volatility-recovery.html

10/5/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/world-financial-turbulence-twenty-seven.html

9/28/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/financial-volatility-mediocre-cyclical.html

9/7/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/competitive-monetary-policy-and.html

8/17/2014 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/weakening-world-economic-growth.html

6/29/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/financial-indecision-mediocre-cyclical.html

5/18/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/world-inflation-waves-squeeze-of.html

4/6/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/interest-rate-risks-twenty-eight.html

2/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/theory-and-reality-of-cyclical-slow.html

12/29/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/collapse-of-united-states-dynamism-of.html

11/17/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/risks-of-unwinding-monetary-policy.html

9/29/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/mediocre-and-decelerating-united-states.html

6/30/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/tapering-quantitative-easing-policy-and.html

5/19/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/word-inflation-waves-squeeze-of.html

VG Italy. Table VG-IT provides percentage changes in a quarter relative to the same quarter a year earlier of Italy’s expenditure components in chained volume measures. GDP has been declining at sharper rates from minus 0.8 percent in IVQ2011 to minus 2.5 percent in IVQ2012, minus 2.4 percent in IQ2013, minus 2.2 percent in IIQ2013 and minus 1.9 percent in IIIQ2013. GDP fell 1.1 percent in IVQ2013 relative to a year earlier. GDP fell 0.3 percent in IQ2014 relative to a year earlier and decreased 0.3 percent in IIQ2014 relative to a year earlier. The aggregate demand components of consumption and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) have been declining at faster rates. The rates of decline of GDP, consumption and GFCF were somewhat milder in IIIQ2013 and IVQ2013 than in IQ2013 and the final three quarters of 2012. Consumption fell 0.3 percent in IQ2014 and GFCF fell 1.7 percent. In IIQ2014, consumption increased 0.2 percent relative to a year earlier and GFCF fell 2.5 percent. GDP fell 0.4 percent in IIIQ2014 relative to a year earlier.

Table VG-IT, Italy, GDP and Expenditure Components, Chained Volume Measures, Quarter ∆% on Same Quarter Year Earlier

 

GDP

Imports

Consumption

GFCF

Exports

2014

         

IIIQ

-0.4

       

IIQ

-0.3

2.5

0.2

-2.5

2.4

IQ

-0.3

0.8

-0.3

-1.7

1.7

2013

         

IVQ

-1.1

0.5

-1.1

-3.4

1.6

IIIQ

-1.9

-1.8

-2.2

-4.3

0.4

IIQ

-2.2

-4.1

-2.7

-6.1

0.3

IQ

-2.4

-4.9

-2.9

-7.7

1.2

2012

         

IVQ

-2.5

-7.4

-3.5

-7.7

1.3

IIIQ

-2.5

-8.0

-3.7

-8.1

2.5

IIQ

-2.4

-8.7

-3.6

-7.7

1.2

IQ

-1.9

-8.5

-3.0

-6.6

1.5

2011

         

IVQ

-0.8

-7.0

-2.1

-3.8

2.4

IIIQ

0.5

0.4

-0.8

-2.7

4.6

IIQ

1.3

3.7

0.4

-1.1

7.7

IQ

1.9

8.4

0.7

0.7

10.3

2010

         

IVQ

2.3

14.6

1.3

0.5

13.0

IIIQ

1.8

12.9

1.1

0.7

12.4

IIQ

1.9

14.2

1.0

-0.3

13.2

IQ

0.7

6.7

0.9

-3.3

6.8

2009

         

IVQ

-3.5

-6.3

0.2

-8.2

-9.3

IIIQ

-5.0

-12.2

-0.8

-12.6

-16.4

IIQ

-6.6

-17.9

-1.4

-13.6

-21.4

IQ

-6.9

-17.2

-1.8

-12.4

-22.8

2008

         

IVQ

-3.0

-8.2

-0.9

-8.3

-10.3

IIIQ

-1.9

-5.0

-0.8

-4.5

-3.9

IIQ

-0.2

-0.1

-0.3

-1.5

0.4

IQ

0.5

1.7

0.1

-1.0

2.9

GFCF: Gross Fixed Capital Formation

Source: Istituto Nazionale di Statistica

http://www.istat.it/it/archivio/134394

The Markit/ADACI Business Activity Index decreased from 49.8 in Aug to 48.8 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/d3dda091545c4391a5fa4b32b0a94302). Phil Smith, Economist at Markit and author of the Italy Services PMI®, finds weakening demand (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/d3dda091545c4391a5fa4b32b0a94302). The Markit/ADACI Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®), increased from 49.8 in Aug to 50.7 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/02e47b393b13457a98a844fc7f00961e). Growth of new export orders was strong at faster rate. Phil Smith, Economist at Markit and author of the Italian Manufacturing PMI®, finds fragile conditions in manufacturing (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/02e47b393b13457a98a844fc7f00961e). Table IT provides the country data table for Italy.

Table IT, Italy, Economic Indicators

Consumer Price Index

Oct month ∆%: 0.1
Oct 12-month ∆%: 0.1
Blog 11/16/14

Producer Price Index

Sep month ∆%: 0.1
Sep 12-month ∆%: -2.0

Blog 11/9/14

GDP Growth

IIIQ2014/IIQ2014 SA ∆%: minus 0.1
IIIQ2014/IIQ2013 NSA ∆%: minus 0.4
Blog 3/17/13 6/16/13 8/11/13 9/15/13 11/17/13 12/15/13 2/16/14 3/16/14 5/18/14 6/15/14 8/10/14 8/31/14 10/19/14 11/16/14

Labor Report

Aug 2014

Participation rate 63.6%

Employment ratio 55.7%

Unemployment rate 12.3%

Youth Unemployment 44.2%

Blog 10/5/14

Industrial Production

Aug month ∆%: 0.3
12 months CA ∆%: -0.7
Blog 10/12/14

Retail Sales

Aug month ∆%: -0.1

Aug 12-month ∆%: -3.1

Blog 10/26/14

Business Confidence

Mfg Oct 96.0, Jun 99.4

Construction Oct 77.5, Jun 81.1

Blog 11/2/14

Trade Balance

Balance Aug SA €3532 million versus Jul €3059
Exports Aug month SA ∆%: 1.1; Imports Aug month ∆%: -0.4
Exports 12 months Aug NSA ∆%: -2.7 Imports 12 months NSA ∆%: -7.0
Blog 10/19/14

Links to blog comments in Table IT:

11/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/fluctuating-financial-variables.html

11/9/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/rules-discretionary-authorities-and.html

11/2/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/growth-uncertainties-mediocre-cyclical.html

10/26/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/financial-oscillations-world-inflation.html

10/19/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/imf-view-squeeze-of-economic-activity.html

10/12/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/global-financial-volatility-recovery.html

10/5/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/world-financial-turbulence-twenty-seven.html

8/31/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/geopolitical-and-financial-risks.html

8/10/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/volatility-of-valuations-of-risk_10.html

6/15/2014 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/financialgeopolitical-risks-recovery.html

5/18/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/world-inflation-waves-squeeze-of.html

3/16/2014 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/global-financial-risks-recovery-without.html

2/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/theory-and-reality-of-cyclical-slow.html

12/15/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/theory-and-reality-of-secular.html

11/17/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/risks-of-unwinding-monetary-policy.html

9/15/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/recovery-without-hiring-ten-million.html

8/11/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/recovery-without-hiring-loss-of-full.html

6/16/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/recovery-without-hiring-seven-million.html

3/17/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/recovery-without-hiring-ten-million.html

VH United Kingdom. Annual data in Table VH-UK show the strong impact of the global recession in the UK with decline of GDP of 4.3 percent in 2009 after dropping 0.3 percent in 2008. Recovery of 1.9 percent in 2010 is relatively low in comparison with annual growth rates in 2007 and earlier years. Growth was only 1.6 percent in 2011 and 0.7 percent in 2012. Growth increased to 1.7 percent in 2013. The bottom part of Table VH-UK provides average growth rates of UK GDP since 1948. The UK economy grew at 2.6 percent per year on average between 1948 and 2013, which is relatively high for an advanced economy. The growth rate of GDP between 2000 and 2007 is higher at 2.9 percent. Growth in the current cyclical expansion has been only at 1.2 percent as advanced economies struggle with weak internal demand and world trade. GDP in 2013 higher by 1.2 percent relative to 2007.

Table VH-UK, UK, Gross Domestic Product, ∆%

 

∆% on Prior Year

1998

3.5

1999

3.2

2000

3.8

2001

2.7

2002

2.5

2003

4.3

2004

2.5

2005

2.8

2006

3.0

2007

2.6

2008

-0.3

2009

-4.3

2010

1.9

2011

1.6

2012

0.7

2013

1.7

Average Growth Rates ∆% per Year

 

1948-2013

2.6

1950-1959

3.1

1960-1969

3.1

1970-1979

2.6

1980-1989

3.1

1990-1999

2.2

2000-2007

2.9

2007-2012*

-0.6

2007-2013*

1.2

2000-2013

1.6

*Absolute change from 2007 to 2012 an from 2007 to 2013

Source: UK Office for National Statistics

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/gva/gross-domestic-product--preliminary-estimate/q3-2014/index.html

The Business Activity Index of the Markit/CIPS UK Services PMI® decreased from 60.5 in Aug to 58.7 in Sep (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/fa89cdb774d24249b9a5888431b53851). Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit, finds the combined indices consistent with the UK economy growing at around 0.8 percent in IIIQ2014 if activity continues at current rates (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/fa89cdb774d24249b9a5888431b53851). The Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) decreased to 51.6 in Sep from 52.2 in Aug (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/389ebd83e6dc44cdaf5be34cf37da690). New export orders increased for the eighteenth consecutive month from North America, Germany, Scandinavia and the Middle East. Rob Dobson, Senior Economist at Markit that compiles the Markit/CIPS Manufacturing PMI®, finds that manufacturing conditions are slowing (http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/389ebd83e6dc44cdaf5be34cf37da690). Table UK provides the economic indicators for the United Kingdom.

Table UK, UK Economic Indicators

CPI

Oct month ∆%: 0.1
Oct 12-month ∆%: 1.3
Blog 11/23/14

Output/Input Prices

Output Prices: Oct 12-month NSA ∆%: -0.5; excluding food, petroleum ∆%: 0.9
Input Prices: Oct 12-month NSA
∆%: -8.4
Excluding ∆%: -2.7
Blog 11/23/14

GDP Growth

IIIQ2014 prior quarter ∆% 0.7; year earlier same quarter ∆%: 3.0
Blog 3/31/13 4/28/13 5/26/13 7/28/13 8/25/13 9/29/13 10/27/13 12/1/13 12/22/13 2/2/14 3/2/14 4/6/14 5/4/14 5/25/14 6/29/14 7/27/14 8/17/14 10/5/14 10/26/14

Industrial Production

Aug 2014/Aug 2013 ∆%: Production Industries 2.5; Manufacturing 3.9
Blog 10/12/14

Retail Sales

Aug month ∆%: 0.4
Aug 12-month ∆%: 3.9
Blog 9/21/14

Labor Market

Jul-Sep Unemployment Rate: 6.0%; Claimant Count 2.8%; Earnings Growth 1.0%
Blog 10/19/14 LMGDP 11/16/14

GDP and the Labor Market

IIIQ2014 Weekly Hours 103.4, GDP 103.3, Employment 103.7

IQ2008 =100

GDP IIIQ14 103.3 IQ2008=100

Blog 11/16/14

Trade Balance

Balance SA Aug minus ₤1917 million
Exports Aug ∆%: -1.7; Jun-Aug ∆%: -7.4
Imports Aug ∆%: -4.2 Jun-Aug ∆%: -6.9
Blog 10/12/14

Links to blog comments in Table UK:

11/16/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/fluctuating-financial-variables.html

10/26/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/financial-oscillations-world-inflation.html

10/12/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/global-financial-volatility-recovery.html

10/5/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/world-financial-turbulence-twenty-seven.html

9/21/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/world-inflation-waves-squeeze-of.html

8/17/2014 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/weakening-world-economic-growth.html

7/27/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/world-inflation-waves-united-states.html

6/29/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/financial-indecision-mediocre-cyclical.html

5/25/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/united-states-commercial-banks-assets.html

5/4/2014 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/financial-volatility-mediocre-cyclical.html

4/6/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/interest-rate-risks-twenty-eight.html

3/2/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/financial-risks-slow-cyclical-united.html

2/2/14 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/mediocre-cyclical-united-states.html

12/22/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/tapering-quantitative-easing-mediocre.html

12/1/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/exit-risks-of-zero-interest-rates-world.html

10/27/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/twenty-eight-million-unemployed-or.html

9/29/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/mediocre-and-decelerating-united-states.html

8/25/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/interest-rate-risks-duration-dumping.html

7/28/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/07/duration-dumping-steepening-yield-curve.html

5/26/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/united-states-commercial-banks-assets.html

4/28/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/mediocre-and-decelerating-united-states_28.html

03/31/13 http://cmpassocregulationblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/mediocre-and-decelerating-united-states.html

© Carlos M. Pelaez, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

No comments:

Post a Comment