Japan PPI (August) -0.2% m/m (expected +0.0%) and +2.5% y/y (expected +2.8%)


-0.2% m/m for a miss

  • expected 0.0%, prior 0.3%

2.5% y/y, also a miss

  • expected 2.8%, prior 3.0%

Falling m/m wholesale inflation and lower than previous y/y. The rising yen may well have platey a role in these results.

The Producer Price Index (PPI) in Japan is also known as the Corporate Goods Price Index (CGPI)

  • its a measure of the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output
  • is calculated by the Bank of Japan

Unlike the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the price change that consumers see for a basket of goods and services, the CGPI focuses on the change in the prices of goods sold by companies.

The PPI reflects some of cost pressures faced by producers

  • its based on a basket of goods that represents the range of products produced within the Japanese economy, including items such as:
    • raw materials like metals and chemicals
    • semi-finished goods
    • and finished products
    • different weights are assigned to each category within the index based on its contribution to the overall economy.
  • it does not account for the quality improvements in goods and services over time, which might lead to overestimation of inflation
    • additionally, it reflects only the prices of domestically produced goods, leaving out the impact of imported goods

The PPI can be used as a guide to inflationary pressures in the economy:

  • If producers are facing higher costs, they may pass these on to consumers, leading to higher consumer prices.