The Traderszone Network

Latest inflation data now out
– +0.2% prev
– yy +0.2% vs +0.3% exp vs +0.2% prev
– HICP mm -1.0% as exp vs +0.2% prev
– yy +0.4% as exp vs +0.3% prev
– PPI mm -1.2% vs +0.2% prev revised up from +0.1%

U.S. economic growth likely braked sharply in the fourth quarter as businesses doubled down on efforts to reduce an inventory glut and unseasonably mild weather cut into consumer spending on utilities and apparel. Gross domestic product probably rose at a 0.8 percent annual rate, according to a Reuters survey of economists, also as a strong dollar and tepid global demand hurt exports, and lower oil prices continued to undercut investment by energy firms.

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Toyota Motor Corp said on Friday it would buy out the rest of minivehicle maker Daihatsu Motor Co , a move that will help it better leverage the lower-cost brand. The world’s largest automaker currently owns 51.2 percent of Daihatsu, which had the weakest sales performance in the Toyota group last year, lagging behind the Toyota and Lexus brands and truck maker Hino Motors Ltd . Toyota will acquire the remaining Daihatsu shares by swapping 0.26 of its own shares for each Daihatsu share, the companies said on Friday.

Japanese air bag maker Takata Corp said on Friday its top executive had no intention to resign as of now, after Reuters reported the company would tell automakers that Chairman and CEO Shigehisa Takada …

McDonald’s Corp (MCD.N) plans to launch in China this year 150 outlets where clients can customize burgers to suit their tastes, as the world’s top restaurant chain aims to grow sales in the country after being hit by a fast-food scandal in 2014. The U.S. burger chain currently has 11 such outlets on the mainland, including in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing, Regina Hui, senior director of communications for McDonald’s China said in an email received late on Thursday, in which she also disclosed the plans for the 150 restaurants.

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Chief cabinet sec with statement out across the wires
– govt puts highest priority on boosting economy so welcomes BOJ move
– can sense BOJ’s strong determination
As if anyone needed telling that Abe’s size 10 boots ( probably smaller actually) have been all over Kuroda.

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