Japan's consumer sentiment weakened further in April to the lowest level in one year. The seasonally adjusted consumer confidence index dropped to 32.2 in April from 33.3 in March. The sub-index for the overall livelihood continued to decline by 1.5 points to 28.2 in April. Similarly, the index for the willingness to buy durable goods worsened to 23.2 from 26.0.
China's manufacturing activity expanded at a stronger-than-expected pace in April, survey data from S&P Global showed Thursday. The RatingDog factory Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 52.2 from 50.8 in the previous month. Economists had forecast the index to rise marginally to 50.9. The score...
Industrial production in South Korea was up a seasonally adjusted 0.3 percent on month in March, Statistics Korea said on Thursday. That exceeded expectations for an increase of 0.2 percent following the downwardly revised 5.3 percent increase in February (originally 5.4 percent). On a yearly basis,...
Japan is scheduled to release a raft of data on Thursday, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. On tap are March figures for industrial production, retail sales, construction orders and housing starts, as well as April results for its consumer confidence index. In February, industrial...
Australia's consumer prices inflation accelerated at the fastest pace since 2023, driven by increases in housing and transport costs, data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Wednesday. Consumer prices increased 4.6 percent on a yearly basis in March, marking the strongest inflation since September 2023.
Australia will on Wednesday release Q1 figures 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 3.6 percent on year, while the trimmed mean was up 0.9 percent on quarter and 3.4 percent on year...
India's industrial output growth moderated less than expected in March to the lowest level in four months. Industrial production advanced 4.1 percent year-over-year in March, following a downwardly revised 5.1 percent expansion in February. The annual growth in manufacturing output softened to 4.3 percent from 5.9 percent, and electricity production rose at a weaker pace of 0.8 percent.
The Bank of Japan retained its key interest rate in a split vote on Tuesday and upgraded its inflation outlook citing higher global crude oil prices due to the Iran war, and the policy assessment added to expectations for an interest rate hike in the near-term. The BoJ policy board, headed by Kazuo Ueda, voted 6-3 to hold the uncollateralized overnight call rate at around 0.75 percent at the end
Hong Kong's trade deficit increased notably in March from a year ago as imports grew faster than exports. The trade shortfall rose to HK$89.1 billion in March from HK$45.4 billion in the same month last year. In February, the trade balance showed a deficit of HK$64.1 billion. Exports climbed 35.8 percent year-on-year in March, and imports surged by 41.2 percent.
Business sentiment in South Korea improved at the start of the second quarter. The Business Survey Index on business conditions in the manufacturing sector rose to 74.0 in April from 71.0 in February. The expected score was 69. The sub-index for new orders increased somewhat to 85 from 84, while that for production remained stable at 88.0.
The Bank of Japan left its key interest rate unchanged on Tuesday and upgraded its inflation outlook citing higher global crude oil prices. The policy board voted 6-3 majority to hold the uncollateralized overnight call rate at around 0.75 percent. The bank had raised its interest rate by 25 basis...
The Bank of Japan will wrap up its monetary policy meeting on Tuesday and then announce its decision on interest rates, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The BoJ is widely expected to leave its benchmark lending rate unchanged at 0.75 percent. Japan also will see March data...
Singapore's industrial production expanded at an accelerated pace in March. Industrial production advanced 10.1 percent year-on-year in March, much faster than the 3.3 percent rise in February. Moreover, this was the fastest growth since December 2025. Among clusters, electronics output grew the most by 30.0 percent from last year on the back of robust AI-related demand.
Malaysia's producer prices increased for the first time in a year in March. Producer prices rose 1.1 percent year-on-year in March, reversing a 3.4 percent decrease in February. Meanwhile, economists had expected a further fall of 2.7 percent. The price index for the mining sector grew sharply by 26.5 percent from last year, largely due to the surge in costs for the extraction of crude petroleum.
Japan's leading index strengthened more than initially estimated in February to the highest level in three-and-a-half years. The leading index, which measures future economic activity, rose to 113.3 in February from 112.0 in January. The flash reading was 112.4. The coincident index that measures the current economic situation dropped to 116.3, as estimated, from 118.3 in January.
April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.