MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan October Industrial Output Down 4.2% M/M

--Corrects September data sent in error

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's industrial production fell a sharp 4.2% m/m in

October, with the decrease following the surge seen in September and the severe

weather conditions in the month, data released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade

and Industry (METI) Friday showed. 

     Here are key points in the data: 

--Industrial production decreased 4.2% m/m in October, erasing the 1.4% m/m gain

in September. The fall is the first in two months and surpassing an MNI survey

looking for a 2.1% y/y drop. 

     --Shipments fell 4.3%% m/m in October, far below the 1.3% m/m growth in

September. The decrease was led by the contribution from shipments of automotive

and machinery industry.

     --Inventories rose for the first time in four months, up 1.2% m/m,

following previous 1.4% m/m decrease. 

     --METI kept its assessment unchanged, saying that "production is weakening"

and they see production falling 1.5% (revised down from -1.2%) in November

before rising 1.1% in December. 

--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

[TOPICS: M$A$$$,M$J$$$,M$U$$$,MT$$$$]