“Japan manufacturers gloomy as global slowdown hurts,” said the latest monthly Reuters Tankan survey. The monthly poll, which closely tracks the Bank of Japan's quarterly tankan survey, canvassed 493 big non-financial Japanese firms, of which 244 replied. It was conducted from Feb. 8 to 17, reported Reuters.

The update seems suited after the survey for the manufacturing and services gauges both eased in the last two consecutive months.

That said, Reuters Tankan Manufacturing Index came in as -5.0 for February versus -6.0 in January. On the same line Tankan Non-Manufacturing Index eased to 17 for the said month versus 20.0 prior.

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