News

Japan Unemployment Rate registered at 2.6% above expectations (2.5%) in October

Tokyo area November inflation data, the core measures higher than headline.

Tokyo Consumer Price Index (YoY) (Nov) 2.7%

• expected 2.7%, prior 2.8%

Tokyo CPI ex Food, Energy (YoY) (Nov) 2.8% … higher than expected and the same as in October

• expected 2.7%, prior 2.8%

Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food (YoY) (Nov) 2.8%, ditto, higher than expected and the same as in October

• expected 2.7%, prior 2.8%

The data shows inflation still simmering away well above the 2% BoJ target. The Bank of Japan next meet on December 18-19 and expectations are edging towards a right hike but its not a done deal yet by any means.

• BOJ’s Noguchi: Further yen declines could impact underlying inflation
• BOJ’s Noguchi: Japan making steady progress in meeting inflation target
• Recap – BoJ’s Noguchi tempers December hike bets, urges measured, step-by-step tightening
• investingLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: AUD up (high CPI), NZD up (rate cut), JPY up (BoJ

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.

Japan Tokyo Consumer Price Index (YoY) in line with forecasts (2.7%) in November

Japan Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food (YoY) above forecasts (2.7%) in November: Actual (2.8%)

Japan Jobs / Applicants Ratio below forecasts (1.2) in October: Actual (1.18)

South Korea Service Sector Output declined to -0.6% in October from previous 1.8%

Data from South Korea show a mixed picture: industrial output slumped sharply in October even as retail sales rose and service-sector output held up. According to the national statistics office,

• industrial production in October fell 8.1% year-on-year and 4.0% month-on-month (seasonally adjusted).
• By contrast, retail sales rose 3.5% month-on-month,
• while service-sector output slipped modestly by 0.6% month-on-month.

That weak industrial performance follows a rebound in September, when overall production rose 1.0% month-on-month (and 6.7% y/y), driven by a 1.8% increase in services — although retail sales dipped 0.1% in September. The divergence suggests private consumption and services remain more resilient than manufacturing, which may be weighed down by global demand softness or supply-chain headwinds.

—

The sharp drop in industrial output may weigh on export-linked assets and Korean equities, while softer manufacturing signals could dampen global supply-chain demand; stable retail and services may cushion domestic consumption risks.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.

South Korea Industrial Output (YoY) declined to -8.1% in October from previous 11.6%

South Korea Industrial Output Growth came in at -4% below forecasts (-0.2%) in October

S&P Global Ratings has cautioned that the UK’s public finances remain under considerable strain, despite the revenue-raising steps outlined in the Autumn 2025 Budget. The agency said structural spending pressures and muted growth mean fiscal stress is likely to persist through the medium term.

S&P described the UK’s fiscal position as “vulnerable,” calling it one of the key constraints on Britain’s sovereign credit rating. While it expects government deficits to gradually narrow through 2028, the agency also warned that the UK’s fiscal consolidation plan faces risks — particularly toward the end of the forecast horizon, when spending demands are expected to intensify and political space for further tightening may shrink.

The comments underscore lingering concerns about the UK’s debt trajectory and highlight that the latest budget measures are unlikely to materially shift the long-running fiscal challenges.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.