Japan's core machinery orders fell more than expected in November, data showed on Thursday, underscoring uncertainty about the economic outlook. Core orders, a highly volatile data series regarded as a leading indicator of capital spending in the coming six to nine months, fell 4.9% in November from the previous month, Cabinet Office data showed. That compared with a 0.8% contraction expected by economists in a Reuters poll. On a year-on-year basis, core orders, which excludes volatile numbers from shipping and electric utilities, declined 5.0% versus a forecast for 0.2% growth, the Cabinet Office data showed. ... (full story)