Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Japan manufacturers’ mood soured in August to its lowest since 2013 when the central bank embarked on aggressive monetary easing, a Reuters poll showed Friday. The drop in Tankan index reflects the problems caused due to surging yen, bringing to limelight the massive challenge that policymakers are facing in terms of rejuvenating growth.
The Reuters Tankan, which tracks the Bank of Japan's quarterly tankan survey, found the service sector's mood rose for the first time in five months, a sign of fragility rather than strength in private consumption that constitutes about 60 percent of the economy.
The sentiment index for manufacturers fell to 1 from 3 in July, hurt by manufacturing industries including cars, food, machinery and electronics. It was seen bouncing to 6 in November. The sentiment indexes subtract the percentage of companies saying conditions are poor from those saying conditions are good. A positive number means optimists outnumber pessimists.
The service-sector index rose to 18 from 15 in July, reflecting gains in retailers, real estate and other services. The index was seen rising further to 19 in November. The monthly poll of 533 big and mid-sized firms on August 1-16, of which 275 responded, was taken just as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled new economic stimulus early this month, which appeared to have little impact on Japanese business morale.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan last month unveiled a modest means of stimulus measures via purchases of risky assets and it remains under pressure to do more in September, when it conducts a comprehensive review of the effects of its stimulus program.
