Japan retail sales, factory output seen higher, virus resurgence dims outlook: Reuters poll

Japan’s retails sales finally posted upbeat figures after eight months of slump and factory output likely grew for five months in a row. These developments, along with other significant data, were revealed by a Reuters poll on Friday.

Trade ministry data is expected to show a 2.1% increase in industrial output month-on-month in October, up for 5 straight months, albeit slowing a bit from a 3.9% rise in September.

Separate data of Reuters poll said is likely to reveal a 6.4% jump in retail sales year-on-year in October. This is the first upbeat rate in eight months following a. 8.7% drop in the previous month.

Meanwhile, internal affairs data is expected to show a 3.1% rise to the seasonally adjusted jobless rate in October, from 3.0% in the previous outing. Labor ministry data is likely to show a 1.03 jobs-to-applicants ratio in October, the lowest since December 2013.