Japan 4Q GDP grows at 4.6% annual pace

The government announced Monday that real gross product grew at an annual pace of 4.6% in the October-December period. The average forecast was around 3.4%. The figure corresponds to quarterly growth of 1.1% while it was zero growth in the July-September period. While exports, aided by a global recovery, led the expansion that supported manufacturers, the increase of consumer spending may not last as the effect of the stimulus fades.