Pantheon Publications

PM Datanote: BoK Decision, Korea, February

In one line: Bank of Korea hold rates at 2.50%; Adding Fed-style dot plot to anchor market expectations, signals six months hold

PM Datanote: 20-Day Exports, Korea, February

In one line: Korea’s 20-day exports surge in February on semiconductors, despite fewer working days, as DRAM prices soar in Q1

PM Datanote: Exports, Japan, January

In one line: Japan exports spike on Lunar New Year boost, strong momentum unlikely to last.

10 March 2026 China+ Monitor China's low inflation cushions against energy-price shock

• China’s consumer inflation in January-February, at 0.8%, was in line with the previous two months.
• Low inflation and sluggish domestic demand leave ample room to absorb an energy-price surge. 
• Producer inflation continued to improve in February, thanks to oil and non-ferrous metals prices. 

PM Datanote: Preliminary GDP, Japan, Q4

In one line: Japan’s softer than expected GDP outturn reinforces our case for a later than market rate hike.

PM Datanote: Current Account, China, Q4 (Preliminary)

In one line: China’s Q4 current account surplus surges on strong goods exports 

CHINA+ DATA WRAP 11 February 2026: China's PPI reflation remains patchy; CPI falls back on Lunar New Year timing

China's PPI reflation remains patchy; CPI falls back on Lunar New Year timing

PM Datanote: PPI, China, January

In one line: China’s PPI deflation eases further in January, but improvements were patchy.

PM Datanote: Foreign Reserves, China, January

In one line: China’s FX reserves jumped in January on factors beyond valuation effects.

PM Datanote: Foreign Reserves, China, February

In one line: China’s FX reserves rose further in February amid RMB strength, partly driven by exporters repatriating overseas USD proceeds.

5 March 2026 China+ Monitor China NPC and Paris trade talks unfold amid escalating US-Iran conflict

• China’s NPC meeting commences today; we expect a lower growth target and a focus on tech self-reliance…
• …US-China trade representatives will meet in Paris next weekend, ahead of April’s Xi-Trump Beijing summit. 
• The conflict in Iran likely adds 0.1pp to East Asian inflation over a few months, due to logistics issues.

PM Datanote: Exports, Korea, January

In one line: Korea’s export jump exaggerated by LNY timing; semiconductors still underpin growth.

PM Datanote: Non-Manufacturing PMI, China

In one line: Property and construction weakness drags China’s non-manufacturing PMI below 50

PM Datanote: Manufacturing PMI, China

In one line: China’s manufacturing PMI slips, as a larger-than-usual post-December festive and pre-LNY demand pullback exposes weak fundamentals.

PM Datanote: Exports, Korea, February

In one line: Korea exports surge in full-month February on global AI investment boom

27 February 2026 China+ Monitor BoK's dot-plot signals no near-term rate changes as stability risk lingers

• The Bank of Korea stood pat in February, and introduced longer-term forward guidance on rate direction.
• Governor Rhee cited persistent financial stability risk and a stronger growth outlook as reasons to hold.
• The newly introduced Fed-style dot-plot suggests no change in policy rate for at least six months.

February 2026 - China+ Chartbook

• - CHINA'S POLICYMAKERS FOCUS ON LONGER-TERM GOALS
• - PM TAKAICHI LIKELY MORE PRAGMATIC THAN FEARED
• - BOK RELIEF AS KRW PRESSURE EASES, FOR NOW

19 February 2026 China+ Monitor Five China themes in 2026: momentum but no boom in the Year of the Horse

• China’s growth will slow as it matures, with speed giving way to stability and structural adjustment.
• Property remains a drag, with sustained producer and consumer reflation unlikely until the market troughs.
• The PBoC is promoting a stronger RMB, while the temporary US trade truce masks a power rivalry.

12 February 2026 China+ Monitor Long and bumpy reflation path for China's households and producers

• China’s consumer inflation fell sharply due to holiday effects, but monthly momentum has strengthened.
• Producer deflation eased unevenly, driven mostly by non-ferrous metals and ‘experience’-related industries.
• The reflation process still has a long way to go and is likely to be choppy, especially for the PPI.

6 February 2026 China+ Monitor China seizes its moment to unveil financial ambition blueprint

• China has issued key commentary on its financial future, with RMB reserve-currency status in focus.
• Its ambition goes beyond reserve currency, though, to becoming a major financial power too.
• Structural constraints and other deficiencies limit RMB reserve status, despite its progress in global usage.