Bankinter | The Tankan index, which measures the confidence of large manufacturing companies, improves to 15 points in Q4 2025 (compared to the expected 15 and the previous 14). In the case of Services, it fell slightly to 34 points, in line with expectations (compared to 35 expected and 34 previously). Small manufacturing companies also improved somewhat compared to the previous quarter and recorded better-than-expected figures (6 compared to 2…

DWS | The Japanese stock market index, the Nikkei 225, has surged by around 25% since the beginning of the year and, at almost 50,000 points, is approaching its all-time high. The driving factors are not just euphoria over Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the weak yen, but also a new political realignment in Tokyo. Following the election this week of Sanae Takaichi as Prime Minister and the formation of a…

Bankinter | GDP grew 1.0% (quarter-on-quarter) in Q2, beating consensus estimates and paving the way for further rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. Japan’s growth in Q2 has been a positive surprise, exceeding consensus forecasts of 0.4% growth. In addition, growth in the previous quarter has been revised upwards to 0.6% (quarter-on-quarter) from -0.2%. Growth was led by business investment, which rose by 1.3% in the quarter, while consumption…

Bankinter | Japan’s GDP surprised positively in 4Q 2024. GDP was up 2.8% (quarter-on-quarter annualised) versus 1.1% estimated and 1.7% previous (revised from 1.2%). Quarter-on-quarter was up 0.7 against a 0.3% estimated and 0.4% previous (revised from 0.3%). Our team’s view: Good news. The Japanese economy is growing more than expected, which together with inflation clearly above the 2% target (up 3.6% in December), will allow the BoJ to continue…