Japan¡¯s largest service-sector firms are their most optimistic in more than three decades even as confidence among manufacturers softens a tad, a Bank of Japan (BOJ) survey shows, offering a largely positive outlook for the economy as the central bank mulls its next policy move.
An index of sentiment among the country¡¯s largest nonmanufacturers advanced to 34 in March, exceeding estimates and marking the highest level in more than three decades, according to the BOJ¡¯s quarterly tankan report Monday. The gauge for the biggest manufacturers slipped to 11 from a reading of 13 in December that adjusts for a new base. The consensus estimate from economists was 10.
The positive figures for both groups show optimistic views outnumbered pessimistic ones.
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