MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan October Industrial Output Up 1.7% M/M

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's industrial production rose 1.7% m/m in October, led

by higher production and shipments in the machinery and automobile sectors, data

released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Friday showed. 

     Here are key points in the data: 

--Industrial production increased 1.7% m/m in October, accelerating from

September's 1.4% m/m gain, and outpacing an MNI survey looking for a 2.1% y/y

drop. 

     --Shipments rose 1.5% m/m in October, up from the 1.3% m/m growth in

September. The increase was led by the contribution in shipments of machinery

and steel and non-ferrous metal industries.

     --Inventories dropped 1.4% m/m, improving from last month's 1.6% 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

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