Pantheon Publications
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Duncan Wrigley 
- The BoK left the policy rate unchanged yesterday, citing household-debt worries.
- The Bank is probably also seeking to avoid upsetting the US with a rate cut which could weaken the KRW.
- A likely government housing-supply plan and Fed rate cut in September should allow a BoK rate cut in Q4.
 
China's industrial profits still falling in July
 
- Tier-one cities are leading another round of targeted residential property market easing in China.
- The goal is stabilisation, however, rather than returning to solid growth, so expect an L-shaped recovery.
- Industrial profits barely improved in July amid excess supply; manufacturing profits are rising though.
 
In one line: Japan's slowing headline inflation won't shift BoJ's worries about rising food inflation
 
Japan's slowing headline inflation won't shift BoJ's worries about rising food inflation
 
- Japan’s headline inflation slowed, despite a modest uptick in food inflation.
- The agriculture ministry has revised its diagnosis of the causes of red-hot rice prices; no easy fix is in sight.
- Stubbornly elevated food inflation strengthens the case for the BoJ to resume rate hikes in October.
 
In one line: China's LPRs on hold, despite July's weakening demand data
 
China's LPRs on hold, despite weakening demand data
 
- The PBoC on Monday gave no hint of imminent easing, despite July’s underwhelming activity data.
- China is likely to go slow on further policy support, so it has options if trade talks with the US hit a wall.
- The property market is worsening again, putting developer finances under pressure.
 
In one line: lacklustre broad credit growth, excluding government bonds
 
In one line: China's weakening investment and retail sales data raise worries for H2 demand outlook
 
- China’s July activity data point to a worrying slowdown in domestic demand, notably investment.
- Industrial and services output maintained growth, however, above the 5% target for official GDP growth.
- More targeted stimulus will be needed in the coming months, especially if and when export growth sinks.
 
- China’s broad credit growth edged up in July, only thanks to rapid government-bond issuance.
- Credit demand elsewhere appears lacklustre, with net long-term corporate loan repayments.
- Subsidies for consumer and services firm loans are helpful but unlikely to be a game-changer.
 
- China’s monthly export momentum slowed for a second straight month as the US reprieve expiry nears.
- Easing of the seasonally adjusted rate likely reflects fading stockpiling and transshipment demand in July.
- Shipments of pharma and rare earth surged after the ‘London consensus’ and ahead of Section 232 tariffs.
 
- China’s consumer sentiment is near historic lows, weighed down by property- and job-market worries. 
- Employment sentiment is nearly as feeble as at the global financial crisis low point.
- More people expect broad inflation than deflation, which is largely confined to producer prices.
 
In one line: Buoyant Caixin services PMI points to pockets of strength, such as tourism
 
In one line: China’s manufacturing sector rocked by trade uncertainty
 
Caixin PMI reports falling export orders
Korean exports hold up thanks to front-loading, but domestic demand sags
 
- China’s July manufacturing PMIs were buffeted by headwinds from trade risk and bad weather.
- But sentiment improved slightly, showing business confidence in new products and markets.
- The dipping construction PMI partly reflects a downshift in local-government fiscal stimulus.
 
In one line: China's Q2 Politburo meeting downplays trade risks, focuses on domestic issues like price wars