Chief Economist's Note Whatever happened to the China “growth miracle”? Last week’s disappointing China economic releases were greeted by the usual calls for more stimulus to boost near-term growth. These are part of a long-standing tradition for when data undershoot... 22nd May 2023
Japan Economics Update Services inflation set to fall as input cost pressures ease Most of the recent acceleration in services inflation reflects pass-through of higher goods prices. While firms have become more willing to pass on higher input costs, we still think that sluggish... 22nd May 2023 · 3 mins read
Japan Data Response Japan Machinery Orders (Mar. 2023) We already know that business investment rose despite a plunge in capital goods shipments last quarter. As such, we wouldn’t read too much into the fall in machinery orders in March. The bigger... 22nd May 2023 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly Vietnam friend-shoring boost, Thai election muddle Decoupling between China and the US is presenting opportunities for countries that are able to adapt their economies to shifting global supply chains. So far, the main beneficiary of these shifts has... 19th May 2023 · 9 mins read
China Economics Weekly Monetary easing back on the cards In its latest policy report, the PBOC argued that the recovery has exceeded expectations and that the recent drop in inflation isn’t a major concern. Nonetheless, it still struck a dovish tone... 19th May 2023 · 5 mins read
India Economics Weekly Karnataka election, trade data, banking risks The loss for PM Modi’s BJP in the state election in Karnataka may persuade the ruling national party to slow the pace of labour reforms and other politically contentious measures elsewhere as next... 19th May 2023 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly Australia’s productivity problem persists The latest data suggest that Australia’s productivity will continue to languish in the near term. The resulting surge in unit labour cost growth will keep services inflation stubbornly high... 19th May 2023 · 6 mins read
Japan Economics Weekly Recession and higher prices to sink spending in H2 Stubborn price pressures and a recession in the second half mean real disposable incomes are set to continue shrinking through year-end. With the savings rate now barely higher than it was pre... 19th May 2023 · 5 mins read
Japan Data Response Japan Consumer Prices (Apr. 2023) Underlying inflation pushed past 4.0% for the first time in 40 years partly due to a spike in food inflation. Meanwhile, services inflation set a fresh 30-year high, largely reflecting higher goods... 19th May 2023 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: an end to the tightening cycle The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) today left interest rates unchanged (at 6.25%) but stated it was ready to resume its tightening cycle later in the year. However, with inflation falling back... 18th May 2023 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response Australia Labour Market (Apr. 2023) The weakness in April’s jobs data suggest that the labour demand is starting to cool. Admittedly, there continue to be some pockets of resilience in the labour market. However, with wage growth... 18th May 2023 · 2 mins read
Japan Data Response Japan External Trade (Apr. 2023) The trade deficit narrowed in April as export values rose faster than import values, largely reflecting the faster fall in import prices. Export climate readings suggest export volumes will continue... 18th May 2023 · 2 mins read
