Further central bank easing looms in Japan
A plummeting trade deficit and recent statements from its central bank suggest new central bank stimuli by end-April.
Here's more from BBVA:
Exports growth exceeded expectations (5.9% y/y vs. consensus: 0.2%), boosted by auto sales to the US, and resulting in a lower-than-expected trade deficit. Imports grew by 10.5% y/y for the month due to higher oil and gas purchases needed to replace Japan’s dwindling nuclear power supply. Additionally, on Wednesday, Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa expressed the central bank’s intention to continue monetary easing. This increases the likelihood of additional quantitative easing at the BoJ’s next policy meeting on April 27th.