Taiwan IP data likely to have slowed due to base effects

Taiwan is scheduled to release March industrial production (IP) data on 23 April. Weak export sales data during February-March and softer global oil prices likely impacted production output negatively in March. 

Residential and real estate construction activity is expected to have been dampened by the government's efforts to curb speculation in the residential property market. 

On the positive side, activity in the local retail trade and services sector likely remained robust, partly due to rising tourist arrivals, which supported IP activity. 

"We expect IP to have expanded by 2.0% y/y, the slowest annual gain since late 2013, partly due to base effects", says Standard Chartered.