MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Consumer Conf Index Slips In Feb

--Japan Feb Consumer Confidence Index 38.4 Vs Jan 39.1 

--Japan Govt Lowers View: Consumer Confidence marking Time

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's February consumer confidence index stood a seasonally

adjusted 38.4, down from 39.1 in January, the latest Consumer Confidence Survey

published by the Cabinet Office showed Tuesday.

     --The drop came after an unchanged reading in January that followed a 0.4

point rise in December. The index highlighted a bright outlook for purchases of

durable goods and for the labour market, although the outlook was less rosy for

income and overall economic well-being.

     --The Cabinet Office lowered its assessment from the previous month, saying

consumer confidence is "marking time." The previous view was "improving".

     --Consumers were more pessimistic on all four key sentiment sectors;

overall economic well-being, labor market condition, income conditions, and the

next six months would be good time to buy durable goods.

--The sub-index on asset prices, not included in calculating overall

consumer confidence, fell 0.1 points to 40.3 after rising 0.7 points to 40.4 in

January.

     --The share of respondents projecting consumer price gains fell to 76.5% in

January, after falling 0.6 points to 78.2% in January. The share of respondents

forecasting lower prices rose to 5.5% in February from 4.8% in January, for the

second straight rise.

--MNI Tokyo Bureau; tel: +81 90-2175-0040; email: hiroshi.inoue@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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