MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Q3 GDP 4th Straight Rise; But Slows

--MNI Japan Q3 Real GDP +0.1% Q/Q; MNI Median +0.2% 

--Japan Q3 Real GDP +0.2% Annualized; MNI Median +0.8% 

--Japan Q3 GDP Posts 4th Straight Rise 

--Japan Q3 Domestic Demand Contribution +0.2 PP 

--Japan Q3 Capex +0.9% Q/Q, +0.1 PP Contribution 

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's economy posted a fourth straight quarterly gain in

the July-September period, up 0.1% q/q, or an annualized +0.2%, boosted by

stronger capital investment and solid household spending, preliminary GDP data

released Thursday by the Cabinet Office showed.

     But growth slowed from Q2, which rose a revised 0.4% q/q, or an annualized

1.8%. 

     The Q3 growth was slightly weaker than the MNI median forecast for growth

of 0.2% q/q, or the annualized forecast of 0.8%.

     The key points from the latest GDP data:

     --Private consumption, which accounts for about 60% of Japan's GDP, rose

0.4% q/q in Q3, after an unrevised +0.6% in Q2. The median forecast was +0.6%

q/q, ranging from -0.2% to +0.7%.

     --Business investment rose 0.9% q/q in Q3 (the median forecast as +1.1%),

the second straight rise, with the increase accelerating from +0.7% in Q2.

     --Net exports of goods and services -- exports minus imports -- made a

negative 0.2 percentage point contribution to total domestic output (the median

forecast was -0.1 percentage point). It was the second straight negative

contribution after pushing Q2 GDP growth down by 0.3 percentage point.

     --Exports fell 0.7% on quarter in Q3 after rising 0.5% in Q2. Imports rose

0.2% after rising 2.1% in the previous quarter.

     --Private-sector inventories contributed a negative 0.3 percentage point to

Q3 GDP following -0.1 percentage point in Q2.

     --Public investment rose 0.8% on quarter following +2.1%. Its contribution

to GDP was +0.0 percentage point.

--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

[TOPICS: MAJDS$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$]