Good MornING Asia - 3 January 2019

First trading day of 2019 shows the USD firming sharply, but equities mixed and bond yields dropping - at least the yield curve is steepening

In this bundle

Opinion

By Robert Carnell

First trading day of 2019…

First trading day of 2019 shows the USD firming sharply, but equities mixed and bond yields dropping - at least the yield curve is steepening

ASEAN morning bytes

General market tone: Risk-off. Fears of a slowing global economy sapped risk appetite overnight with the malaise seen to be carried over to Thursday.

China

China: PMIs show shrinking domestic demand

The Caixin PMI (like the official PMI), fell below 50 in December, which means manufacturing activities are contracting. Even more eye-catching was that…

Singapore

Singapore GDP ends 2018 on a weaker note

Annualized growth of 1.6%QoQ in the final quarter of 2018 means full-year GDP growth should reach 3.2%YoY, though 2019 GDP more likely to end in a…

Indonesia

Indonesia: Inflation falls below midpoint of central bank target

December inflation came in at 3.13%, a slowdown from the November reading of 3.23% but faster than expectations with food prices boosting the headline number

Philippines

Philippines: Inflation to close 2018 below 6%

Index heavyweights food and energy items to pull inflation lower, with the December print seen at 5.5%.