In one line: The BoK stays put as inflation remains elevated, no surprise to the market.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- Japan’s exports grew solidly in March, thanks to burgeoning Chinese demand and a weaker JPY.
- Demand from the US and EU slowed, car-related shipments fell sharply, but chip exports soared.
- The export recovery will be safeguarded by the ICT upturn, while capital goods demand should improve.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- China’s Q1 GDP growth picked up, thanks to robust industrial output and consumer services spending.
- But a marked fall in industrial capacity utilisation points to burgeoning oversupply issues...
- …Fiscal stimulus should boost demand to mitigate the oversupply, eventually; meanwhile, PPI deflation.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
Chinese GDP beats expectations, despite an uneven recovery and looming oversupply issues
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- The PBoC left the MLF rate unchanged yesterday, likely wary of currency pressure.
- Social financing growth slowed in March, due to soft domestic demand and lower bond issuance.
- Government-bond issuance is likely to pick up in Q2, the key plank of short-term growth support.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
The PBoC keeps the MLF rate on hold, despite slowing credit growth
Duncan WrigleyChina+
The PBoC keeps the MLF rate on hold, despite slowing credit growth
Duncan WrigleyChina+
Disappointing credit data point to undercooked domestic demand, despite fiscal stimulus
Duncan WrigleyChina+
China consumer prices slow as producer deflation deepens
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
In one line: Producer price deflation deepens further, thanks to excess capacity
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- China’s inflation data point to lacklustre domestic demand post-New Year, while supply rose.
- Core CPI dropped sharply to half its long-run average; industry is still facing deflationary pressure.
- The US economy is steaming ahead, giving the PBoC
a dilemma: lower rates or keep RMB stable.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- China’s GDP growth should increase slightly in Q1 quarter-to-quarter, but severe imbalances persist.
- A robust industrial sector contrasts with plunging new-property sales and flat consumption activity.
- Policy support for consumer goods trade-ins and equipment upgrades should be incrementally helpful.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
In one line: China forex reserves rose more than expected in March, thanks to stronger trade surplus and bond inflows.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
Japan's broad wage growth still lacklustre
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Japan’s Tankan for large manufacturers deteriorated for the first time in a year.
- The silver lining is optimism for the non-manufacturing sector, storming to its highest since 1991.
- Nothing in the survey will surprise the BoJ, and we expect interest rates to reach 0.20% by end-2024.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
PMIs point to services sector buoyancy in China and Japan
Duncan WrigleyChina+
In one line: Japan’s Tokyo inflation ticks up in March, thanks to a smaller fall in energy prices
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
In one line: Manufacturing activity expands for the first time in 6 months
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
Chinese manufacturing demand improves after the Lunar New Year holiday
Duncan WrigleyChina+
Korean exports propelled by resurgent semiconductor shipments
Duncan WrigleyChina+