The week has started off quietly in Asia, but China has delivered some positive surprises. Industrial output and retail sales in January and February exceeded expectations, with a 7% year-on-year jump in output and signs that factory growth is picking up globally. This has raised hopes for a strong start to the week. A number
Economy
Low-income Americans are set to bear the brunt of reductions in housing and social safety net programs as a result of recent legislative changes. Efforts to provide affordable dwellings for low-income families and address lead-paint contamination in aging structures have suffered funding setbacks, leaving many vulnerable individuals at risk. Lawmakers in Congress are currently debating
In a bid to capitalize on Japan’s flourishing investment and tourism market, Patience Capital Group (PCG) announced plans to expand its $1.42 billion luxury ski project in northern Japan. The Singapore-based investor is in discussions to reopen its fund to accommodate new investors looking to seize opportunities before potential policy changes by the Bank of
The Bank of Japan is expected to abandon its negative interest rate policy in the coming months, according to a survey of economists conducted by Reuters. The majority of economists surveyed believe that the central bank will make this move in April, marking a significant shift in its policy stance. However, there is a growing
New Zealand’s Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, recently announced that the country will be facing “significantly slower” economic growth in the upcoming years due to various factors affecting productivity growth. This update comes after the unexpected contraction of New Zealand’s economy in the third quarter, prompting a reevaluation of growth projections by Treasury officials. The downward
Fitch, a leading rating agency, has recently revised its estimate for India’s economic growth for the current fiscal year and the next. The agency now anticipates a real GDP growth of 7.0% in fiscal 2025, representing a 50 basis points increase from its previous forecast in December. This upward revision is based on the strong
Keystone Investors, an Asian hedge fund that originated from Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, is making headlines with its decision to suspend subscriptions in April. This move comes after experiencing an impressive 160% increase in assets since its launch in 2022. The Singapore-based equity fund has surpassed $2 billion in assets under management following a recent round
Asian shares reached seven-month highs on Wednesday, driven by the record peaks on Wall Street. Despite slightly higher-than-expected U.S. inflation, investors remained optimistic, believing that it would not hinder the anticipated interest rate cuts by the middle of the year. The news that China urged banks to boost financial support for developer China Vanke gave
The currency markets are currently filled with uncertainty as the dollar holds steady amid expectations for key U.S. inflation data, while the yen strengthens due to speculation that the Bank of Japan may exit negative interest rates soon. The euro has retreated from a two-month high, while sterling remains below a recent peak. These currency
As central banks around the world adjust their monetary policies, the foreign exchange market is experiencing contrasting movements. The Bank of Japan’s potential exit from negative interest rates is strengthening the yen against the dollar, while expectations of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve are weighing on the greenback. Yen Strengthens Against the Dollar