MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Mar Machine Orders Decline; Mfg Tumbles

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

generation equipment and ships, declined in March due to a plunge in the

manufacturing sector, according to data from the Cabinet Office released on

Wednesday. 

     -- Core orders fell 0.4% m/m in March, down from the 2.3% m/m gain reported

in February, marking the first fall in three months.

     -- Orders from manufacturing sectors dropped 8.2% m/m in March, sharply

down from the 1.7% m/m fall in February. Orders from non-manufacturing sectors,

however, rose 5.3% m/m, accelerating from the previous 5.0% m/m growth. 

     -- The outlook for the April-June period is -0.9%, compared with the -0.7%

decrease over the previous quarter.

     --The three-month moving average for core orders rose 1.6% in March,

following February's 2.6% drop and January's 0.4% rise.

     --The Cabinet Office maintained its outlook assessment on machinery orders,

saying orders are "marking time".

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

--MNI Sydney Bureau; +61 405322399; email: lachlan.colquhoun.ext@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: MAJDS$,MAUDR$,MAUDS$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$,M$U$$$]