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Market Outlook: Japan imports surge

As exports slump in November
December 19, 2018

Data released by Japan’s Ministry of Finance overnight showed that, on an annualised basis, exports grew by just 0.1 per cent in November, from an 8.2 per cent increase in October. To make matters worse for this legendary exporter, imports grew by 12.1 per cent after surging 19.9 per cent in the year to October. The adjusted trade balance therefore slumped to a deficit of 492.2 billion yen, the lowest in almost 4 years and way below the surplus of between 500 and 1000 billion yen that predominated from the 1990s to the great financial crash.

Belgium has no government – again! Yesterday Prime Minister Charles Michel was forced to resign after losing a vote of no confidence submitted by opposition parties which had supported his minority government. After the 13th June 2010 general election, where 11 parties vied for the 150 seats in the lower chamber, it took 589 days to form a coalition government. This dubious record has now been surpassed by Northern Ireland which still has no government after 702 days.

DAX 30

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