East Asia Econ

The continued fall in interest rates in the real economy shown in yesterday's monetary policy report from the PBC, another strong sentiment survey in Japan, and some thoughts on Korea in light of yesterday's minutes of the October BOK meeting and today's labour market data.

Some strong numbers in Japan today, both the Economy Watchers survey – which provides a good guide to the direction of the cycle – and the current account surplus, which in September was the highest in at least 25 years. Also today, Korean export data for the first ten days of November.

In addition to yesterday's inflation data from China (stronger at the margin), today's update includes the summary of opinions from the BOJ's October meeting, September consumption data for Japan, and September wages for Taiwan.

Today's trade data for October were interesting, being stronger in Taiwan, but weaker in China. Taiwan's trade surplus surged again, but despite the narrowing in China, fx reserves rose in October. Also today, a note delving into an under-explored aspect of China's FAI data.

Today's data releases included Japan wages (messy, but some interesting details), Korea's current account surplus (big, but not helping the KRW), and Taiwan inflation (low compared with ROW, high compared with history). Also, a link to a slide pack summarising my views for the region.

The S&P services PMI for China remained better than the official version, while PBC's liquidity injections eased off in October. In Taiwan, fx reserves fell last month. That is consistent with the weakening of the currency, but contrasts with this year's remarkable growth in exports.

High-frequency data for China through end-October show the stability in upstream prices has persisted. The implication is PPI deflation isn't worsening. In Korea, October CPI inflation ticked up. That's probably temporary, but inflation has remained stickier than I'd expected.

China's S&P PMI softened in October, though still paints a better picture of the industrial sector than suggested by the official survey. Korea's PMI also weakened, and neither that nor the BOK's sentiment survey point to a big coming lift in exports.

Lots of data today, with the usual month-end releases for China, Japan and Korea. Also interesting were the analytical boxes in the BOJ's outlook report. Finally, an update on tariffs after yesterday's China-US talks. The conclusion: with the CNY depreciating, China doesn't look very disadvantaged.

Aside from Trump-Xi, the big event today was the BOJ meeting, though that was much more about continuity than change. In terms of data, Japan released trade data for the first 10 days of October. Korea's JOLTS data for September were weaker than the earlier labour market data had suggested likely.

Lots of sentiment surveys to discuss today: business confidence in Korea (better), consumer confidence in Japan (also better, even though inflation expectations remain high) and Q3 economy-wide surveys for China. Also, some details of China's 15th FYP, with some encouraging language on consumption.

Today's focus is Korea, with consumer confidence and GDP, and yesterday's loan officer survey. Elsewhere, the BOJ has published its own cuts of trade and CPI data. That includes "underlying inflation", though these days the bank itself seems to believe reality is more complicated.

The headlines are dominated by Trump's Asia trip. But there's also been lots of data released: industrial profits in China, services PPI in Japan, and consumer confidence in Taiwan. Export price data for China have also appeared, and echo the stability seen in the data for the rest of the region.

Japan CPI data showed headline near 3% and rising (inflation!), but core near 1% and falling (deflation!). Price data in China, by contrast, are stable, which is at odds with weak FAI. Finally, my updated trade mapper dashboard, which now covers autos and the battery and rare earth supply chains.

China's detailed monetary data for September are important, showing three positive trends. Elsewhere, the BOK didn't change policy, with just hints of becoming more positive. In Taiwan, IP and retail sales data for September continue to show the desynchronisation of the export and domestic cycles.

Lots of data to analyse today: exports in Japan, PPI in Korea, and export orders (released yesterday for Taiwan). Also, a longer piece taking stock of the Korean cycle and thinking about the BOK before tomorrow's monetary policy meeting.

Detailed Q3 GDP data for China don't provide much extra clarity. By contrast, yesterday's speech by Takata of the BOJ was a clear argument of why he thinks the bank needs to hike. In Korea, data for the first 20D of October show strong growth in exports of semiconductors, but not in anything else.

Little sign of change in today's China macro data. So, while areas like consumption aren't as weak as the headlines suggest, in activity data overall there's little sign of stabilisation, let alone recovery. I discussed some of the issues around China, as well as the region, in a podcast last week.

Korea's labour market looks better, though sustainable recovery likely needs stronger business confidence. Other data suggest an end to the sharp price falls for Korean auto exports to the US. Cars are unusual: in neither Korea nor the other economies have overall export prices been as volatile.

Three things important for markets: yesterday's monetary data from China, today's speech by BOJ Board member Naoki Tamura, and TSMC's Q3 earnings report. In addition, Japan released service-sector data and machine orders for August.

A couple of notes on China today, one covering today's inflation release, and the other a slide pack making the case for higher rates. Elsewhere, Taiwan released FDI data for September. Outflows have eased in recent months, but the clear shift away from investing in China is persisting.

An update on pensions in Japan, which are being cut in real terms. Also, wage growth in Taiwan, which is accelerating. The pick-up is mild, but is still important, showing that the near-deflation experience of 2000-2020 isn't being repeated.

China full-month exports for September (still strong), and Korean exports for the first 10 days of October (including only 3.5 working days, so too few to reach strong conclusions). Also, the new monthly summary of PBC liquidity operations, showing steady balance sheet expansion.

Two releases from the BOJ today, one showing PPI inflation remaining firm, and the other, its consumer confidence survey, indicating that the firmness of inflation continues to erode household sentiment. Also today, an update on China's inflation in advance of next week's releases for September.

The only data release today was Taiwan trade for September, which showed exports finally gave back some of the amazing strength seen this year. Also, some charts on how global commodity prices affect the region.