China+ Publications
Below is a list of our China+ Publications for the last 6 months. If you are looking for reports older than 6 months please email info@pantheonmacro.com, or contact your account rep
Please use the filters on the right to search for a specific date or topic.
Daily Monitor Duncan Wrigley
- China’s structural problems, notably in the property sector, are limiting the efficacy of interest rate cuts.
- But varied public views on the management of bond yields hint at a broader internal policy debate.
- Labour-market issues are compounded by credit constraints for private firms, especially SMEs.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- The BoJ is likely to keep the policy rate unchanged, as Japan hasn’t attained sustainable inflation yet.
- Broad wage growth is likely to lag strong pay rises at large employers, while consumption looks soft.
- But building pressure on JPY will probably force the Bank to strike a more hawkish tone on future rates.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- 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+
- 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+
- 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+
- China’s March official and Caixin manufacturing PMIs were both above 50 for the first time since September.
- A strong industrial sector is generating demand for business services too.
- But the lacklustre labour market and dismal property sector will limit the speed of China’s recovery.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- China’s foreign direct investment seems to have passed its lowest point, hit in late 2023.
- Top policymakers are rolling out the red carpet to tempt foreign CEOs back to China, as it recovers.
- But geopolitical tensions will limit the foreign investment rebound, especially in high-tech sectors.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Japan’s March flash manufacturing PMI points to still-tepid activity, though improving modestly.
- The service sector continues to shine brightly, albeit based narrowly on tourism and finance.
- A jump in service-sector input costs is a worrying sign of persistently elevated inflation.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- China’s lopsided recovery continued in January and February, led by a galloping industrial sector...
- ...Demand is likely mainly coming from exports and fixed asset investment, with consumption still tepid.
- Further price cuts should drive car sales, while new-property developer woes continue.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- BoJ Governor Ueda gave mixed signals at his legislature appearance on Tuesday.
- Japan’s January household spending data were broadly weak, but the incoming wage data are key...
- ...The BoJ is likely to keep rates on hold next week, waiting for more data, leaving the rate hike until April.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- The February services PMIs were both respectable, albeit still below long-term averages...
- ...But weak employment indices highlight the fragility of domestic demand.
- Premier Li yesterday indicated a steady course, with no big stimulus, and outlined targeted measures.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Premier Li is likely to announce targeted support for auto and home appliance consumption at the NPC...
- ...But this should be incremental demand support, rather than a big stimulus.
- China’s recovery will probably remain lacklustre but gradually gain traction in 2024.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Japan’s national prices rise at the slowest rate since Q1 2021, thanks to softer food and energy prices.
- The surge in overseas package-holiday inflation has distorted the outturn away from the consensus.
- BoJ will be more confident to normalise rates but, given Fed’s delayed move, policy will tighten by June.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- The two Japanese flash PMIs point to a flagging recovery, despite long-term optimism.
- A drop in service sector new export orders is a warning sign for the tourism sector.
- January national CPI, due Monday, will likely be sub- 2%, adding to the case for the BoJ to delay a rate rise.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- The PBoC announced no change to the one-year LPR yesterday, in line with market expectations...
- ...But the surprisingly large 25bp cut to the five-year LPR is a clear signal of property-market support.
- China is finally taking bigger steps to boost the ailing property market, but more will likely be needed.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- China’s social financing growth slowed a notch in January, due to less government-bond issuance.
- The jump in January net long-term new household loans is probably a blip; new-home sales are weak.
- The increase in M1 growth is a likely sign of stimulus funds improving business cash flow.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Japanese nominal wage growth rose slightly in December but remains well below earlier highs..
- The continued decline in real wages, albeit easing, is dragging down real household spending.
- Disappointing tourism wages raise questions about the hoped-for transition to demand-push inflation.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- China’s January Caixin manufacturing PMI is still outperforming the official index.
- Rising investment goods output probably anticipates stimulus effects after the Lunar New Year holiday.
- The Caixin services PMI should see a holiday bump, despite consumer caution over costly purchases.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- China’s January official manufacturing PMI points to an encouraging restocking cycle...
- ...Rising output and inventory readings suggest firms expect stimulus to boost domestic demand.
- Targeted funds for property support are arriving, but the recovery will still be protracted.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- The PBoC yesterday announced an RRR cut; we see this as mainly to facilitate government-bond issuance.
- Governor Pan said RRR adjustments would drive down the LPR; a Q1 cut still seems likely.
- The big picture: China is relying on fiscal support to prop up growth, 2024 is likely to see token rate cuts.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
