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The yield on Japans two-year government bonds rose 0.5 basis points to 1.73%, the highest level since April 1995.Tensions in the Middle East escalated again over the weekend, causing a surge in crude oil prices this morning, which is expected to support a higher market opening this week. If the situation in the Middle East continues with both peace talks and conflict, the market is likely to continue consolidating at high levels this week.SoftBank Group shares fell about 4.8%, and Tokyo Electron shares fell more than 4%.On August 31st, Japans industrial production rose 0.1% month-on-month in July, better than the expected 0.7% decline; retail sales rose 2.4% month-on-month and 4% year-on-year, both significantly exceeding expectations. Manufacturers expect industrial production to grow by 6.4% in August, followed by a 4.2% decline in September. The much stronger-than-expected industrial production data mitigated some short-term downside risks priced into the markets assessment of Japans economic growth prospects. The sharp rebound in retail sales, both month-on-month and year-on-year, indicates that consumer spending performed better than suggested by the decline in June. This is significant for the Bank of Japans ongoing discussion on whether domestic demand can continue to drive inflation. The manufacturers survey indicates that industrial production is expected to grow strongly by 6.4% in August, but will decline significantly in September, suggesting that the current strong performance may be partly due to advance production or a rebound after a previous decline, rather than a genuine acceleration of the industrial cycle. According to the US financial website InvestingLive, combined with US Treasury Secretary Bessants recent remarks that the pace of interest rate hikes is effectively left to Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, the resilience of economic growth and consumption further weakens the reasons for the Bank of Japan to postpone further tightening of its policy.The Nikkei 225 index opened down 731.46 points, or 1.10%, at 65,674.10 on Monday, August 31.

The conclusion of the Argentine truckers' strike increases grain shipments

Charlie Brooks

Jul 01, 2022 11:36


The Argentine truckers' strike ended on Thursday, when several unions incensed by fuel shortages reached an agreement to terminate the one-week protest near the vital port of Rosario, which is expected to assist future grain exports.


The truck driver's protest over high gasoline prices has halted shipments of corn and other goods, just as the bulk of the harvest was making its way to ports for export to worldwide markets.


Due to the exclusion of a few tiny truckers groups from the deal, however, it is possible that certain protests may continue.


Argentina is the second-largest exporter of maize, the top exporter of processed soy oil and meal, and a major supplier of wheat and beef.


One of the unions, Autoconvocados Unidos, issued the following statement: "Despite our dissatisfaction (with the latest settlement of truck freight rates) and in light of the present crisis in our country, we have chosen to halt the strike."


The union described their action as an act of kindness.


The number of trucks entering ports surged by 70 percent on Thursday compared to the previous day, reaching approximately 1,500 vehicles, as reported by the Rosario grains market.


The Rosario ports are the departure point for 80 percent of Argentina's agricultural exports, the vast majority of which are transported by truck.


The ability of trucks to access the port is returning to normal, according to the manager of the country's marine port chamber, Guillermo Wade.


Additionally on Wednesday, the transport ministry secured a deal with non-striking agricultural and transport groups to hike grain freight charges by 25%.


However, the majority of protesting unions, led by the UNTRA truckers' union, felt the rate increase insufficient and chose to dismantle highway blockades.


The head of the UNTRA, Carlos Geneiro, said, "We have far greater expenses than that."