Japanese manufacturing sector PMI fell in September for first time in 15 months and at 49.5, down from 50.1 in August, the seasonally adjusted headline Nomura/JMMA Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell below the neutral 50.0 threshold in September, pointing to the first month-on-month deterioration in Japanese manufacturing sector operating conditions since June 2009. Meanwhile, government data Thursday showed that industrial output fell in August for the third straight month  –  down 0.3% from the previous month, following a 0.2% dip in July, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.

IBEC, the employers’ lobby group, said today that any expectations of Irish pay rises before 2013 were unrealistic and said it was advising employers not to entertain any claims for pay increases in 2011 or 2012, given that wage levels remain significantly out of line with many of our key trading partners.

Expectations of customer service are rising across Asia as consumers grow richer, are better informed and travel more. But businesses, although aware of rising expectations, are failing to meet demands. These are among the findings of Greater expectations: Keeping pace with customer service demands in Asia Pacific, a new report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, commissioned by DHL. The report is based on two wide-ranging surveys conducted in 10 markets across Asia: one of over 300 senior executives and another of over 700 consumers.

Markets news on stocks, currencies and oil; Irish Central Bank Commission members appointed; UK mortgage approvals fell in August; France introduces tough 2011 budget.

Markets news on stocks, currencies and oil; Irish Central Bank Commission members appointed; UK mortgage approvals fell in August; France introduces tough 2011 budget.

The real-estate bust has taken down hundreds of banks and property companies, but most executives have dodged personal financial hits. Bruce Elieff could become a high-profile exception.

The European Commission today adopted a legislative package containing the most comprehensive reinforcement of economic governance in the EU and the Eurozone since the launch of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The new power would give the Commission the authority to impose sanctions on Eurozone governments for budget deficit breaches that could only be reversed by a super majority of EU countries.

The government took further steps to curb stubbornly high property prices, ordering banks nationwide to halt lending for third and subsequent home purchases and raising down-payment requirements for first-time buyers.

Sekisui House has teamed up with Newland Real Estate to acquire nearly 500 acres outside Houston, an indication that land prices have fallen low enough to catch the eye of foreign investors.

On a seasonally adjusted basis there was a monthly dip of 5,400 in the Irish Live Register in September 2010. The number of persons on the Live Register now stands at 442,417 which represents an annual increase of 22,563 (+5.4%) in the unadjusted series. This compares with an increase of 30,198 (+6.9%) in the year to August 2010.