Japan Eco Watchers Current Index Rises In November

(RTTNews) - A measure of the public assessment of the current situation of the Japanese economy improved unexpectedly in November, and future conditions also remained less pessimistic, survey data from the Cabinet Office showed on Monday.

The current conditions index of the Economy Watchers' Survey, which measures the present situation of the economy, climbed to 49.4 in November from 47.5 in October. Meanwhile, economists had forecast the index to fall to 47.3.

Any score below 50 indicates pessimism, while a reading above 50 indicates optimism.

The increase in the index was mainly driven by gains in household activity-related measures, especially in the food and beverage segment and services.

The outlook index that signals future activity rose to 49.4 from 48.3 in the previous month.