South Korea Q1 GDP likely to have been subdued

Apr 22, 2015 00:15 am UTC| Commentary

South Korea will release Q1-2015 GDP data on 23 April. Weak growth momentum is expected to have continued in Q1: domestic consumption was likely weak despite lower oil prices.Retail consumption increased by a mere 1.1% in...

Taiwan IP data likely to have slowed due to base effects

Apr 21, 2015 23:16 pm UTC| Commentary

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...

Singapore IP likely contracted again in March

Apr 21, 2015 22:08 pm UTC| Commentary

Singapore will release March industrial production (IP) data on 24 April.Manufacturing momentum was likely poor.Singapores March PMI likelt to be remained in negative territory for the fourth consecutive month at 49.6 due...

Australia's CPI report the highlight today

Apr 21, 2015 21:30 pm UTC| Commentary

For the Australian CPI report, lower fuel prices should help offset unfavourableQ1 seasonals, leaving the expectation for another quarter of slower price growth.RBC Capital Markets says they looks for a headline CPI rate...

TPP agreement gains momentum, but likely to be met with opposition

Apr 21, 2015 17:44 pm UTC| Commentary

Japans prime minister announced that the U.S. and Japan are close to a major agreement regarding the TPP.The TPP is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade agreement 10 years in the making, which would strengthen...

Greek default would not necessarily imply an exit from the currency union

Apr 21, 2015 17:35 pm UTC| Commentary

Suggestions that Greece can default but remain inside the euro-zone overlook the fact that Greece needs both a very large debt write-down and a more competitive currency. Recent comments from euro-zone officials appear to...

Euro-zone consumer confidence may have improved in April

Apr 21, 2015 17:21 pm UTC| Commentary

Euro-zone consumer confidence (15.00 BST) may have improved in April, given continued low oil prices and inflation, as well as steady improvements in the labour market and policy action by the ECB. However, any rise will...