Latest News Stream - Machinery Orders

Japan’s core machine orders, which exclude volatile sectors such as ships and electric utilities, rose by 5.2% month-on-month to JPY 1,069.8 billion in August 2026, reversing a 3.7% decline in the previous month and exceeding market forecasts for a 3% gain. It marked the fourth month of increase so far this year, supported by rebounds in both manufacturing orders (1.6% vs -1.0% in July) to JPY 527.0 billion and non-manufacturing orders (2.9% vs -2.6%) to JPY 541.3 billion. Among manufacturers, non-ferrous metals posted the strongest growth (132.6%), followed by other transport equipment (43.7%), petroleum and coal products (19.6%), and automobiles, parts, and accessories (13.1%). In the non-manufacturing sector, goods leasing (136.0%), wholesale and retail trade (29.2%), and mining and quarrying posted solid rises. On an annual basis, machinery orders increased by 18.6%, up from 11.2% in July and above consensus of 15.7%. It was the fastest yearly growth in six months.

Japan’s core machine orders, which exclude volatile sectors such as ships and electric utilities, fell by 3.7% month-on-month to JPY 1,016.9 billion in July 2026, exceeding market expectations for a 2.8% drop and slipping from a 9.7% gain in the previous month. It marked the fourth month of decline so far this year, driven by a 1% fall in manufacturing orders to JPY 518.6 billion and a 2.6% drop in non-manufacturing orders excluding utilities to JPY 525.9 billion. Among manufacturers, steep declines were recorded in non-ferrous metals (-82.2%), other transport equipment (-41.4%), and chemical and chemical products (-12.0%). In the non-manufacturing sector, real estate (- 26.4%), telecommunications (-23.2%), and information services (-16.9%) posted notable decreases. On an annual basis, machinery orders grew by 11.2%, falling short of forecasts for a 15.3% expansion and slowing from a four-month high of 16.9% increase in the preceding period.

Japan’s core machinery orders, which exclude volatile sectors such as ships and electric utilities, jumped 9.7% month-on-month to JPY 1.06 trillion in June 2026, shifting from a 12.4% drop in the prior month and exceeding market forecasts of a 7.8% gain. It was the third time of increase so far this year, also marking the fastest pace since February, reflecting broad-based recovery in business investment. Orders from manufacturers bounced back 19.9% (vs -14.9% in May), while non-manufacturing orders improved (4.5% vs 9.3%). Among manufacturers, the strongest growth came from non-ferrous metals (225.3%), shipbuilding (94.9%), chemicals (39.0%), and petroleum and coal (32.9%). In the non-manufacturing sector, orders strengthened in real estate (253.1%), agriculture (33.0%), and mining, quarrying (23.7%). On an annual basis, machinery orders expanded 16.9%, swinging from May's 1.9% decline and topping estimates for a 10.8% rise and pointing to the fastest rise in four months.

Japan’s core machinery orders, which exclude volatile sectors such as ships and electric utilities, plunged 12.4% mom to JPY 962.0 billion in May 2026, far worse than market forecasts for a 4.2% decline and a reversal from an 8.7% gain in the prior month. It was the third monthly decline so far this year and the steepest drop since December 2019, reflecting broad-based weakness in business investment. Orders from manufacturers dropped 14.9% (vs 5.1% in April), while non-manufacturing orders fell 9.3% (vs 6.7%). Among manufacturers, the steepest declines came from shipbuilding (-80.5%), information and communication electronics (-23.6%), and business-oriented machinery (-14.3%). In the non-manufacturing sector, orders weakened notably in real estate (-69.3%), transport and postal (-23.3%), and goods leasing (-18.6%). On an annual basis, machinery orders fell 1.5%, swinging from April's 15.6% surge and missing estimates for a 12.9% gain and pointing to the fastest drop in six months.

Japan’s core machinery orders surged 19.1% month-on-month to ¥1,052.5 billion in December 2025, rebounding from an 11% drop in November and marking the strongest growth on record amid solid factory investment. That also bear market expectations for a 4.5% increase, driven by one-off large bookings from refineries and nuclear fuel producers. The rebound was led by a 25.1% jump in manufacturing orders to ¥498.3 billion, while non-manufacturing orders advanced 8.2% to ¥533.1 billion. By industry, the largest increases were recorded in petroleum & coal products (499.9%), non-ferrous metals (207.1%), other non-manufacturing (83.5%), real estate (67.3%), and business-oriented machinery (67.1%). On a year-on-year basis, private-sector orders climbed 16.8% in December, reversing a 6.4% contraction in November and surpassing forecasts for a 3.9% rise. Core machinery orders are widely regarded as a volatile yet important leading indicator of capital expenditure over the next six to nine months.

Japan’s core machinery orders, which exclude volatile sectors such as ships and electric power, jumped 7% month-over-month to ¥992.9 billion in October 2025, accelerating from a 4.2% gain in September and defying market expectations for a 2.3% decline. The October reading was also the highest since March. The gain was driven by a sharp rebound in the non-manufacturing sector, where orders surged 28.8% to ¥551.7 billion. In contrast, manufacturing orders fell 13.3% to ¥446.5 billion. By industry, the strongest increases were recorded in information services (103.4%), goods leasing (984.7%), transportation and postal activities (47.9%), telecommunications (44.8%), and textile mill products (35.9%). On a year-on-year basis, private-sector orders increased 12.5% in October, up from an 11.6% gain in September and well above forecasts of 3.6%. Core machinery orders are widely viewed as a key, albeit volatile, leading indicator of capital expenditure over the next six to nine months.

Japan’s core machinery orders, which exclude volatile sectors such as ships and electric power, jumped 4.2% month-over-month to ¥927.8 billion in September 2025, reversing from a 0.9% fall in August and exceeding market expectations for a 2.5% gain. The increase was led by the manufacturing sector, which jumped 23.3% to ¥515.2 billion, while non-manufacturing orders fell 8.7% to ¥428.3 billion. By industry, the largest advances came from chemical and chemical products (388.9%), pulp, paper and paper products (84.5%), other transport equipment (40.7%), mining and quarrying of stone and gravel (40.4%), and general-purpose and production machinery (29.7%). On an annual basis, private-sector orders grew 11.6% in September, accelerating from a 1.6% gain in August and beating forecasts of 5.4%. Core machinery orders are seen as a key yet volatile leading indicator of capital expenditure over the coming six to nine months.

Japan’s core machinery orders—which exclude volatile sectors such as ships and electric power—fell 0.9% month-over-month to ¥8890 billion in August 2025, improving from a sharp 4.6% drop in July but missing market expectations for a 0.4% gain. The decline was led by the non-manufacturing sector, which tumbled 6.4% to ¥469 billion, while manufacturing orders lost 2.4% to ¥418 billion. By industry, the steepest contractions were recorded in goods leasing (-55.2%), chemical & chemical products (-48.9%), pulp, paper & paper products (-45.2%), other transport equipment (-38.2%) and other non-manufacturing (-21.1%). On an annual basis, private-sector orders rose 1.6% in August, easing from a 4.9% gain in July and coming in way below forecasts of 4.8%. Core machinery orders are seen as a key yet volatile leading indicator of capital expenditure over the coming six to nine months.

Japan’s core machinery orders—which exclude volatile sectors such as ships and electric power—fell 4.6% month-over-month to ¥898 billion in July 2025, reversing a 3% increase in June and coming in well below expectations for a 1.7% decline. The drop was led by the non-manufacturing sector, which slipped 3.9% to ¥501.1 billion, while manufacturing orders rose 3.9% to ¥428.4 billion. By industry, the steepest contractions were recorded in non-ferrous metals (-53.5%), real estate (-44%), mining and quarrying (-21.2%) and finance and insurance (-16.7%). Year-on-year, private-sector orders rose 4.9%, easing from June’s 7.6% growth and missing forecasts of 5.4%. Core machinery orders are seen as a key yet volatile leading indicator of capital expenditure over the coming six to nine months.

Japan’s core machinery orders—which exclude volatile items such as ships and electric power—climbed 3% month-over-month to ¥941.2 billion in June 2025, snapping a two-month decline and defying market expectations for a 1% drop. The overall gain masked weakness in the manufacturing sector, where orders fell 8.1% to ¥412.3 billion. Sharp declines were seen in petroleum & coal products (-68.6%), non-ferrous metals (-48%), and iron & steel (-27.4%). By contrast, non-manufacturing orders surged 8.8% to ¥521.4 billion, driven by robust demand in goods leasing (41%) and agriculture, forestry & fishing (12.4%). On a yearly basis, private-sector machinery orders advanced 7.6% in June, picking up from May’s 4.4% increase and beating forecasts of 5%. Core machinery orders are regarded as a key, though volatile, leading indicator of capital spending over the next six to nine months.

Japan’s core machinery orders—which exclude volatile items like ships and electric power—fell 0.6% month-over-month to ¥913.5 billion in May 2025. The decline was significantly smaller than April’s sharp 9.1% drop and better than market expectations for a 1.5% fall. The decrease was driven by the manufacturing sector, where orders slipped 1.8% to ¥448.5 billion. Notable declines were seen in chemical and chemical products (-38.7%), business-oriented machinery (-29.3%), and pulp, paper, and paper products (-18.5%). In contrast, non-manufacturing orders rose 1.8% to ¥479.3 billion, supported by strong gains in mining and quarrying of stone & gravel (91.5%), real estate (76.5%), and finance & insurance (16.7%). Year-over-year, private-sector machinery orders increased 4.4% in May, down from April’s 6.6% gain but still above forecasts of 3.4%. Core machinery orders are viewed as a key, though volatile, leading indicator of capital spending over the next six to nine months.

Japan’s core machinery orders—excluding volatile items such as ships and electric power—fell 9.1% month-over-month to ¥919 billion in April 2025, marking a sharp reversal from March’s 13% surge. This was the weakest reading since April 2020, during the height of the Covid pandemic. The non-manufacturing sector led the decline, with orders plunging 11.8% to ¥470.8 billion. Manufacturing orders also slipped, down 0.6% to ¥456.6 billion. The steepest drops came from other transport equipment (-38.3%), goods leasing (-31.2%), other non-manufacturing (-29.5%), finance and insurance (-23.9%), and automobiles, parts & accessories (-20.3%). On an annual basis, private-sector machinery orders rose 6.6% in April, easing from March’s 8.4% gain but exceeding market expectations of 4%. Core machinery orders are considered a volatile but key leading indicator of capital spending over the next six to nine months.

Japan's core machinery orders, excluding those for ships and electric power companies, jumped 13% month-on-month to ¥1.01 trillion in March 2025, sharply beating market expectations for a 1.6% decline. The latest figure marked the highest level in nearly two decades, fueled by robust demand across both manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. Manufacturing orders climbed 8% to ¥459.3 billion, while non-manufacturing orders rose 9.6% to ¥534 billion. Particularly strong gains were seen in other non-manufacturing (57.6%), other transport equipment (42.9%), automobiles and parts (27.4%), telecommunications (25.6%), and general-purpose and production machinery (17%). On a year-over-year basis, private-sector machinery orders rose 8.4% in March, accelerating from a 1.5% increase in February and defying projections for a 2.4% decline. Core machinery orders are considered a volatile but key leading indicator of capital spending over the next six to nine months.

Japan’s core machinery orders rebounded sharply in February 2025, rising 4.3% month-on-month to ¥894.7 billion, well above market expectations for a 0.8% increase. The figure marked the highest level in a year and a strong recovery from January’s 3.5% decline. Manufacturing orders rose 3% to ¥425.4 billion, while non-manufacturing orders jumped 11.4% to ¥487.3 billion. Notable gains came from sectors such as non-ferrous metals (+144.8%), transportation and postal services (+39.6%), chemicals (+39.6%), textiles (+37.9%), and finance and insurance (+33.8%). On a year-over-year basis, private-sector machinery orders grew 1.5%, easing from January’s 4.4% increase but outperforming forecasts for a 1.4% decline.

Japan’s core machinery orders—excluding those for ships and electric power companies—fell 3.5% month-on-month to 857.9 billion yen in January 2025, significantly worse than market expectations of a 0.5% decline. This marked a sharp acceleration from December’s 0.8% drop and was the steepest decline since late 2023. Orders from the manufacturing sector fell 1.3% to 413 billion yen, while non-manufacturing orders slumped 7.4% to 437.3 billion yen. The largest declines were seen in petroleum & coal products (-71.1%), pulp & paper products (-29.5%), goods leasing (-29.2%), transportation & postal activities (-28.6%), and information services (-24.3%). On an annual basis, private-sector machinery orders rose 4.4% in January, slightly above December’s 4.3% increase but well below the 6.9% market forecast.