Data from Japan for August

Trade balance: ¥ 113.6B

  • expected Y 104.4bn, prior was Y 421.7bn

Trade balance (adjusted): ¥ 367.3B

  • expected Y 404.5bn, prior was Y 337.4bn

Exports +18.1% y/y

  • expected +14.3%, prior was +13.4%
  • exports up for the 9th straight month
  • Exports up at their fastest rate since November of 2013

Apart from the positive implications for Japanese exporters, this sort of export a positive indicator of global demand. The yen level has been helping too, of course.

Imports +15.2% y/y

  • expected +11.6%, prior was +16.3%