Economic data in contrast for Japan. The Tokyo Ministry of Economy reports that in April retail sales increased by 5,8% on an annual basis (driven by the auto sector, +55,6%). This is the fifth consecutive monthly increase, but the figure slows down significantly compared to March, when there was an increase of 10,3%. Analysts were expecting an increase of 6,2%.
Under braking also land wholesale sales, up 0,3%, after +0,5% in March. Total sales thus marked a growth of 1,8%, against the +2,9% of the previous month. Again in April - according to the National Statistical Office - Japanese household spending increased by 3,2% in nominal terms and 2,6% in real terms, settling at 301.948 yen. In this case, the figure is higher than analysts' forecasts (+2,4%).
Bad news instead on the job front, with the unemployment rate which rose to 4,6% from 4,5% the previous month. The estimates spoke of an unchanged rate.
