Japan is on Wednesday scheduled to release January figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.
Imports are expected to add 2.1 percent on year after rising 1.9 percent in December. Exports are called higher by 5.6 percent after falling 5.8 percent in the previous month. The trade balance is expected to reflect a deficit of 1,379.6 billion yen following the downwardly revised 643.3 billion yen shortfall a month earlier.
Japan also will see December results for its all-industry activity index, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 1.6 percent on month after easing 0.3 percent in November.
Australia will provide Q4 figures for its wage cost index, as well as December results for the leading indexes from both Westpac and the Conference Board. Wages are expected to rise 0.8 percent on quarter and 3.4 percent on year after adding 0.7 percent on quarter and 3.7 percent on year in the previous three months. The Westpac index was up 0.6 percent on month in November, while the Conference Board index eased 0.2 percent.
The central bank in Thailand will conclude its monetary policy meeting and then announce its decision on interest rates; the bank is widely expected to keep rates on hold at 2.75 percent.
Malaysia will announce January figures for CPI and Q4 numbers for GDP. Inflation is expected to add 0.3 percent on month and 1.2 percent on year after a flat monthly showing and a 1.2 percent gain in December. GDP is expected to add 2.0 percent on quarter and 5.5 percent on year after rising 3.3 percent on quarter and 5.2 percent on year in Q3.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Economic News
What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.