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
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Duncan Wrigley
China’s Q1 GDP growth was boosted by demand stimulus and export front-loading pre-tariff turmoil
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- China’s Q1 growth was already cooling from the Q4 high; hence March’s additional fiscal stimulus.
- Front-loading effects also boosted March exports and industrial output, but this should prove fleeting.
- China will need to stoke domestic demand further, as exports risk hitting a wall in the coming quarters.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- The March CKGSB index reports reviving Chinese business confidence, despite the imminent trade war.
- Funding conditions have improved thanks to policy support, though profits are under pressure.
- Robust government-bond issuance lifted broad credit growth in March; M1’s rise is somewhat encouraging.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
Government bond issuance still taking centre stage, with modest uptick in household loans
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- China acted as the adult in the room on Friday, saying it will not match any further US tariff hikes.
- This is hopefully the escalation off-ramp, paving the way for bilateral talks, probably in several months.
- Still, tariffs will likely remain high, hurting exports, worsening excess supply and so prolonging deflation.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Both the US and China seem to have dug in, making a short-term cessation of trade-war hostilities unlikely.
- More escalation is likely on the cards, but this could be the crisis that prompts China to boost consumption.
- The PBoC has started allowing RMB depreciation as part of the response, but it must tread carefully.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Both China and the US are posturing as the trade war escalates and markets plunge.
- China’s National Team appears to be intervening, with limited success, to soften the A-share market dive.
- The PBoC is likely to cut the RRR soon to boost confidence; government-bond issuance will speed up
Duncan WrigleyChina+
China's foreign reserves excluding valuation effects fell
Japan's real wage decline hurts consumption
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- China’s all-out response on Friday to US tariff hikes is likely intended to get US-China talks going soon.
- We have cut our 2025 Japan GDP forecast by 0.2pp to 0.8%, due to the US tariff hikes announced last week.
- The BoJ is even more likely to hold fast on May 1, waiting for clarity, as Japan presses for lower tariffs.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
China likely to step up fiscal and monetary policy support, allow weaker RMB, in response to hefty US tariff hike;
Caixin services activity rises
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- China will seek to prop up domestic demand in response to the US tariff hikes…
- …But this won’t mitigate the hit to growth fully, so we cut our 2025 GDP growth forecast by 0.4pp, to 4.0%.
- Serious trade talks are likely to get underway soon, but the US is unlikely to roll back the tariff hikes fully.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Korean export growth accelerated in March, but due to post-holiday effects and front-loading or orders.
- The manufacturing PMI slipped in March, despite a robust new export order reading.
- Firms are worried about tariff hikes and political risks, with the impeachment ruling due on Friday.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- China’s official March PMIs showed lasting, though waning, stimulus support for activity.
- The manufacturing index is still above 50, but sentiment slipped ahead of likely US tariff hikes today.
- Construction new orders dived, raising questions about local-government investment activity.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
China's manufacturing PMI nudges up, but sentiment ebbs
Duncan WrigleyChina+
China's manufacturing PMI nudges up, but sentiment ebbs; construction order slump is worrying
Duncan WrigleyChina+
Tokyo inflation picks up, but the BoJ's immediate focus will be on US auto tariffs
Duncan WrigleyChina+
Tokyo inflation picks up, but the BoJ's immediate focus will be on US auto tariffs
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Tokyo inflation rose in March, due to higher goods and se vices inflation despite cooling fresh food inflation.
- April inflation is likely to jump after energy subsidies expire, while non-perishable food inflation rises.
- Still, the BoJ, focusing on the impact of higher US auto tariffs, is likely to keep the policy rate steady on May 1.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
- Korean consumer sentiment faltered again in March, due to worries about growth and job prospects.
- Business sentiment is faring better, at least in the tech sector; profitability is still under pressure, however.
- WDA 20-day exports rebounded in March, thanks to chip exports reviving after the Lunar New Year holiday.
Duncan WrigleyChina+
PBoC prioritising RMB defence over rate cuts, after decent activity data in the first two months
Duncan WrigleyChina+
