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On June 30th, former Bank of Japan executive director Kenzo Yamamoto stated, "The Bank of Japan is currently in a position where it needs to act quickly." When asked whether the central bank would raise interest rates again in December, as most economists surveyed predicted, Yamamoto said, "Given the current level of monetary easing, the next rate hike is likely to occur before then." Yamamoto pointed out that the banks underlying inflation gauge (excluding special factors such as fresh food and government subsidies) has averaged around 3% over the past four years, well above the central banks 2% target. However, Japans key inflation gauge—the core consumer price index excluding only fresh food—remained at 1.4% in May, mainly due to measures introduced by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to alleviate cost-of-living pressures. The Bank of Japan recently stated that price trends remain slightly below 2%. "I would be concerned if the Bank of Japan claimed that its underlying inflation gauge failed to reflect price trends," Yamamoto said. "The Bank of Japan needs to shift its policy focus to curbing inflation."Samsung Electronics is currently up 2%, and SK Hynix is up 1%.June 30th - The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported that UK food inflation has fallen to its lowest level in 15 months, the latest sign of easing cost pressures that could prevent the Bank of England from raising interest rates. Data released on Tuesday showed that UK food prices rose 2.4% in early June, down from a 2.7% increase the previous month, mainly due to lower inflation for fresh food. Overall retail price increases remained at 1.2%. BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson said, "Thanks to a bumper harvest and intense market competition, retailers have helped keep prices for summer treats like strawberries and ice cream low." Private sector surveys and official data showed that overall inflation in the UK economy had been more stable than previously expected before the initial peace agreement between the US and Iran led to a drop in oil prices. Therefore, the market no longer fully expects the Bank of England to raise interest rates this year, whereas previously it had anticipated three to four hikes of 25 basis points each.Japans inventory levels fell 0.6% month-on-month in May, compared with a previous decline of 0.3%.Japans industrial production fell 1.7% year-on-year in May, compared with a forecast of 1.2% and a previous reading of 2.00%.

According to Australian Retailer Woolworths, Inflation Is Driving Home Dining

Haiden Holmes

Feb 22, 2023 14:10

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Woolworths Group Ltd, a leading Australian retailer, said that an inflation-driven move away from dining out aided in boosting sales, driving its shares higher after its half-year earnings above expectations despite cost challenges.


Since COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 prompted supermarket hoarding, Woolworths and its smaller competitor Coles Group (OTC:CLEGF) Ltd have witnessed significant fluctuations in Australian customer behavior. As lockdowns were lifted in 2021, and again in 2022, sales slowed as rising energy and labor costs pushed up shelf prices.


Woolworths said on Wednesday that cost-of-living constraints, including skyrocketing electricity prices and nine interest rate rises since May, are now beginning to benefit stores as consumers choose for in-home consumption.


Since the beginning of 2023, food sales have increased 6.5%, roughly in step with inflation, compared to just 2.4% in the six months leading up to the end of December, the business reported.


"The shift from eating in restaurants to eating at home has become more evident," said Chief Executive Brad Banducci to reporters.


He stated that a growing number of clients from all demographic groups are now preparing meals at home since eating out is becoming more expensive.


The company's net profit before significant items increased 14% to A$907 million ($622 million), above the Visible Alpha consensus estimate of A$877 million. The majority of the increase was attributable to employee back pay linked to a prior salaries miscalculation.


Similar to Tuesday's announcement of Coles' interim results, Woolworths' profit increase was aided by a dramatic drop in COVID-19-related expenditures.


At midday, Woolworths shares were up 2%, compared to a 0.3% decline in the overall index, as analysts hailed the potential of profit margin expansion at a business vulnerable to rising supplier prices.


Phillip Kimber, a retail analyst at E&P Financial, wrote in a client note, "The momentum in the core Australian Food industry remains strong, with sales growth rates above expectations in early 2H23."


Woolworths declared an interim dividend of 46 Australian cents per share, up from 39 Australian cents per share the previous year.

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