• Japan’s factory output rose 1.8% in December from the previous month, compared with the median market forecast for a 2.4% rise, data showed on Wednesday.
• Manufacturers surveyed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expected seasonally adjusted output to decrease 6.2% in January and climb 2.2% in February.
• Other data showed Japanese retail sales expanded 2.1% in December from a year earlier. It marked the 22nd straight month of increase but fell short of the median market forecast for a 4.7% rise.
• Compared with the previous month, retail sales shrank 2.9% in December, following a 1.1% gain in November, the data showed.