The plus reading will definitely pave the way for an end to the Bank of Japan's ultra-easy monetary policy and the market has not factored this in yet.
With the year-end and new-year retail sales showing good results, the market mirrors optimism about the outlook of domestic consumption.
It is a relief for both Japanese and U.S. investors that the Nasdaq has hit a floor.
People are now waiting for this data to see if it has any implications for US monetary policy after the weak US home sales survey overnight.
We don't know how many more faulty buildings are out there. The problem could be even more widespread than just one architect.
I see no reason to buy banks now. Their fundamentals are shaky with bad loans and companies are stepping up selling of bank shares ahead of the September implementation of mark-to-market accounting rules.
The speed of recent gains in telecoms was surprising. But people who had been climbing up a ladder without a break finally looked down to see how far they've come.
The speed of recent gains in telecoms was surprising,
The Nasdaq slipped below 1,300 yesterday and that means the market has returned to the level when Federal Reserve Chairman (Alan) Greenspan warned of inflated U.S. stock prices as 'irrational exuberance' in 1996.
Apparently investors are finding it quite difficult to take positions either way now, with some important factors like earnings and U.S. rates up in the air.
Bargain-hunting picked up speed, though sentiment has become sensitive to bad news and volatile trading may continue for awhile.
Take out the Intel effect and I think Wall Street ended flat on Friday. Intel is factored in here, so investors should be more at ease about buying.
The jobs data is the main concern here.
Investors are waiting for earnings releases, the peak of which will come next week.
Investors are anxiously awaiting tomorrow as the data could increase volatility in the currency and other markets.
The market here may find it difficult to find a direction as the New York market is closed on Friday and is expected to start slowly on Monday.
The market still has enough energy left to focus on certain stocks. Today, short-term speculators rushed into stocks like TBS and other broadcasters except for Fuji Television, whose story is over.
