MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan February Machine Orders Rise 1.8% m/m

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's core machinery orders, excluding those for power

generation equipment and ships, rebounded in February, reversing the  trend seen

in the previous three months, data from the Cabinet Office released on Wednesday

showed. 

     -- Core orders rose 1.8% in February, jumping from last month's 5.4% fall,

recording the first rise in four months. However, the outcome was still below

the MNI survey median of 13 economist forecasts that projected 2.5% growth. 

     -- The outlook for January-March period is for a 0.9% fall, following the

quarterly drop of 3.2% reported in October-December, the Cabinet Office said.

     -- Orders from the non-manufacturing sector, excluding power generation and

ships, declined 0.8%, a sharp improvement on January's 8.0% drop while orders

from the manufacturing sector increased 3.5% in February, up from the 1.9% drop

in January.

     -- The three-month moving average of core orders fell 1.4% in February,

following 1.9% drop in January and a 2.3% gain in December.

     -- The Cabinet Office kept its outlook assessment for industry, restating

that "machinery orders are marking time". 

--MNI Beijing Bureau; tel: +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: flora.guo@marketnews.com

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

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