Taiwan's industrial production growth rebounded strongly at the end of the first quarter, while retail sales increased for the second straight month. Industrial production surged 28.68 percent year-on-year in March, much faster than the 16.63 percent growth in February. Retail sales climbed 3.2 percent yearly in March, though slower than the 7.7 percent rebound in February.
Hong Kong's consumer price inflation held steady in March after rising to a 9-month high in the prior month. The consumer price index, or CPI, climbed 1.7 percent year-over-year in March, the same as in February. Food inflation remained steady at 0.9 percent, while utility costs grew at a faster pace of 3.9 percent versus a 3.5 percent increase in February.
Singapore's consumer price inflation accelerated in March to the highest level in one-and-a-half years amid higher private transport costs. The consumer price index, or CPI, climbed 1.8 percent year-over-year in March, faster than February's increase of 1.2 percent. MAS core inflation increased to 1.7 percent in March from 1.4 percent in February.
India's private sector growth accelerated in April after receded in March due to the Middle East war. The HSBC flash composite output index climbed to 58.3 in April from 57.0 in March. A score above 50 indicates expansion in the sector. The upturn in business activity was supported by capacity expansion, better demand conditions, rising intakes of new work, and tech investment.
Japan's private sector growth moderated in April as the slower rise in services activity offset a rebound in manufacturing output, flash survey data from S&P Global showed Thursday. The flash composite output index fell to 52.4 in April from 53.0 in March. Overall private sector activity expanded...
South Korea's gross domestic product was up a seasonally adjusted 1.7 percent on quarter in the first quarter of 2026, the Bank of Korea said in Thursday's preliminary reading. That beat forecasts for an increase of 0.9 percent following the 0.2 percent contraction in the previous three months. Real...
The manufacturing sector in Australia bounced back up into expansion territory, the latest survey from S&P Global showed on Thursday with a manufacturing PMI score of 51.0. That's up from 49.8 in March and it moves above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Total...
South Korea will on Thursday release preliminary Q1 figures for gross domestic product, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. GDP is expected to rise 0.9 percent on quarter and 2.7 percent on year after slipping 0.2 percent on quarter and expanding 1.6 percent on year in the three...
Japan posted a merchandise trade surplus of 666.977 billion yen in March, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday. That was well shy of forecasts for 1.106 trillion yen following the 44.3 billion yen surplus in February. Exports were up 11.7 percent on year at 11.003 trillion yen, exceeding expectations...
Producer prices in South Korea were up 1.6 percent on month in March, the Bank of Korea said on Wednesday - accelerating sharply from 0.6 percent in February. Individually, prices for agricultural, forestry and marine products tumbled 3.3 percent on month, while manufacturing products spiked 3.5 percent,...
Japan will on Wednesday release March figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Imports are expected to rise 7.1 percent on year, easing from 10.3 percent in February. Exports are called higher by an annual 11.0 percent, up from 4.0...
Taiwan's export orders grew at the quickest pace in over sixteen years in March amid strong AI demand. Export orders surged 65.9 percent year-over-year in March, much faster than the 23.8 percent rise in February. Orders for information and communication products grew 120.9 percent from last year, primarily driven by strong demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing services.
New Zealand will on Tuesday release Q1 numbers for consumer prices, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In the previous three months, inflation was up 0.6 percent on quarter and 3.1 percent on year. Taiwan will see March data for export orders; in February, export orders...
The Malaysian foreign trade surplus decreased somewhat in March from a year ago as imports grew faster than exports. The trade surplus dropped to MYR 24.5 billion in March from MYR 24.8 billion in the same month last year. Exports climbed 8.3 percent year-on-year in March, and imports logged a double-digit growth of 10.4 percent.
Japan's tertiary activity index decreased in February after recovering in the previous month. The seasonally adjusted tertiary activity index fell 0.4 percent on a monthly basis, reversing a 2.0 percent increase in January, which was the first increase in three months. Retail trade, wholesale trade, utilities, transport and postal activities, and business-related services saw declines.
April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.