Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
China's consumer price index (CPI) fell 0.7% in February, marking the steepest decline in 13 months and reversing January’s 0.5% rise. The drop exceeded economist forecasts of a 0.5% decline, reflecting weak domestic demand as households remain cautious amid job and income concerns. Core CPI, which excludes food and fuel, dipped 0.1%, the first decrease since January 2021.
Food prices plummeted 3.3% compared to a 0.4% rise in January, influenced by the timing of Lunar New Year celebrations. On a monthly basis, CPI fell 0.2%, missing expectations of a 0.1% drop. The producer price index (PPI) declined 2.2% year-on-year, marking the 18th consecutive monthly fall.
China's government maintained its 2025 GDP growth target at 5% while lowering the annual inflation target to 2% from 3%. Beijing has pledged stronger measures to boost consumption, including expanding a consumer subsidy program to 300 billion yuan ($41.42 billion) for electric vehicles and home appliances. However, structural issues in welfare and employment continue to weigh on spending.
Economists warn that China’s economy faces persistent deflationary risks. Zhiwei Zhang, president of Pinpoint Asset Management, noted that while sentiment improved in the tech sector, weak domestic demand remains a challenge. Analysts suggest more aggressive fiscal and monetary policies, including interest rate cuts, to stimulate growth.
Meanwhile, global trade tensions and industrial overcapacity are forcing Chinese exporters into price wars, further pressuring the economy. As deflation lingers, concerns grow over China's ability to sustain a steady economic recovery.
