In the first quarter of 2014, Japan recorded GDP growth of 1,6% compared to the period October-December 2013. The change was corrected upwards from the preliminary reading of +1,5%: a revision linked to the stronger growth in capital expenditure. The figure beat the expectations of economists polled by Reuters who had predicted a +1,4%.
On an annual basis, GDP recorded a 6,7% increase from an initial reading of 5,9%. As for other macro data released today, the current account deficit in April was up 10% from a year ago, while consumer sentiment rose for the first time in six months in May.
In the wake of these data, the Tokyo Stock Exchange closed the session up: the Nikkei index of the 225 leading stocks gained 46,76 points at the close, equal to 0,31%, rising to 15.124 points.
