- 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 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+
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 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+
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 officials are downplaying the risks linked to the continued struggles of the property sector.
- But the new-housing market showed little sign of reviving in the first two months of 2024.
- Piecemeal policy support is unlikely to bring about a near-term recovery in new-home sales.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
China’s industrial profits bounce in February, owing to base effects
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
In one line: China lending rates unchanged in March as per market consensus
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- China’s industrial profits soared, on the low base last year when the country emerged from zero-Covid.
- Capital equipment and consumption goods manufacturing make up most of the profit improvement.
- We expect a firmer recovery after the implementation of the action plans to upgrade consumption.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
In one line: The BoJ scraps negative rates and YCC policies in March, hinting at no further tightening unless inflation spikes.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
In one line: The BoJ scraps negative rates and YCC policies in March, hinting at no further tightening unless inflation spikes.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
- The BoJ raised interest rates for the first time in 17 years, while ending YCC and risky asset purchases.
- At the press conference, Governor Ueda’s rhetoric on the future path of the policy rate was neutral.
- Japan’s monetary policy should stay accommodative unless significant inflationary pressures mount.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+
PBoC stands pat on MLF rate; draining cash from banking system first time since end 2022.
Kelvin Lam (Senior China+ Economist)China+