The non-oil private sector economy in the UAE expanded at the weakest pace in more than five years amid inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints caused by the Middle East war. The purchasing managers' index for the non-oil private sector economy dropped to 52.1 in April from 52.9 in March. Nonetheless, a score above 50 indicates expansion in the sector.
The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its key interest rate by a quarter basis point for the third straight meeting as inflation is expected to remain above the target as the war in the Middle East pushed up fuel prices. The RBA policy board, led by Governor Michele Bullock, decided to lift the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.35 percent in a split vote on Tuesday, in line with economists
Indonesia's economy grew at the fastest pace in more than three years in the first quarter as government stimulus measures supported the nation amid the adverse effects of the war in the Middle East. Gross domestic product logged an annual growth of 5.61 percent in the first quarter, surpassing the 5.39 percent expansion registered in the fourth quarter, Statistics Indonesia said Tuesday.
Hong Kong's economy expanded at a faster pace in the first quarter. Gross domestic product advanced 5.9 percent year-over-year in the first quarter, faster than the 4.0 percent growth in the fourth quarter. The expenditure breakdown showed that private consumption expenditure grew 5.0 percent from last year, and government consumption was 2.9 percent higher.
The Philippines' consumer price inflation accelerated further in April to the highest level in just over three years. The consumer price index surged 7.2 percent on a yearly basis in April, faster than March's increase of 4.1 percent. The annual price growth in food and non-alcoholic beverages accelerated to 6.0 percent from 2.9 percent.
Singapore's retail sales expanded for the second straight month in March. Retail sales climbed 4.8 percent year-on-year in March, though slower than the sharp 8.3 percent rebound in February. Sales of recreational goods alone grew 13.1 percent annually in March, and those of motor vehicles, parts, and accessories were 12.9 percent higher.
Australia's household spending increased at a faster pace in March, driven by higher fuel prices, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Tuesday. Household spending increased 1.6 percent on a monthly basis, faster than the 0.3 percent rise posted in February. A similar faster growth was last seen...
Corrects first para The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its key interest rate by a quarter-point on Tuesday as risks to inflation remain tilted to the upside. The policy board, governed by Michele Bullock, decided to lift the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.35 percent. This decision...
The services sector in Australia swung sharply into expansion territory in April, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Tuesday with a services PMI score of 50.7. That's up from 46.3 in March and it moves above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Sustained...
The Reserve Bank of Australia will wrap up its monetary policy meeting on Tuesday and then announce its decision on interest rates, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The RBA is widely expected to hike its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points, to 4.35 percent from 4.10...
India's factory activity logged the second-weakest growth in four years amid soaring inflationary pressures caused by the impact of the Middle East War. The HSBC manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to 54.7 in April from 53.9 in March. Demand resilience supported sales and production, but that growth was hampered by competitive conditions, the war in the Middle East, and client reluctance
Australia's building approvals logged a double-digit decline in March, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported Monday. The number of dwellings approved decreased 10.5 percent to 17,300 in March. This followed a surge of 31.0 percent in February. The fall in overall dwellings approved reflect...
Australia will on Monday release March figures for building approvals, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In February, approvals were up 29.7 percent on year and 10.8 percent on month. Australia also will see April results for the inflation gauge from the Melbourne Institute...
The manufacturing sector in Japan continued to expand in April, and at a faster pace, the latest survey from Jibun Bank revealed on Friday with a manufacturing PMI score of 55.1. That's up from 51.6 in March and it moves further above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. April...
South Korea posted a merchandise trade surplus of $23.77 billion in April, the Customs Office said on Friday. That exceeded expectations for a surplus of $23.00 billion following the $26.24 billion surplus in March. Exports surged 48.0 percent on year, again topping forecasts for an increase of...
May 01, 2026 15:54 ET Central banks dominated the economics news flow this week with almost all major ones announcing their latest policy decisions and many boosted expectations for a rate hike in June. In other news, several countries released the preliminary data for first quarter economic growth. In the U.S., comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell were also in focus as his term ends this month.