By Priya Raman
Economist by training. Covers central banks, inflation, jobs data and the policy decisions that shape the cycle.
Malaysia's Producer Prices Surge 7.8% in May, KLCI Edges Lower
Malaysia's producer price index rose 7.8% year-over-year in May, topping forecasts and accelerating from April. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI
UK Mortgage Approvals Slump to Lowest Since December 2023 as Borrowing Costs Bite
UK mortgage approvals dropped to 56,205 in May, the lowest since December 2023, missing economists' expectations. Consumer credit growth als
Singapore Producer Prices Jump 30.8% in May on AI Chip Demand and Higher Oil Costs
Singapore's producer prices surged 30.8% in May from a year ago, fueled by AI-related electronics and higher oil costs. Month-on-month, pric
BNZ Predicts RBNZ July Rate Hike Despite Falling Oil Prices
BNZ Research forecasts a 0.25% rate hike from the RBNZ in July, citing data alignment with forecasts. Falling oil prices could reduce inflat
PBOC Debuts Overnight Reverse Repo Tool to Smooth Short-Term Rate Volatility
The People's Bank of China added a new overnight reverse repo tool, offering 300 billion yuan in its first operation without disclosing a ra
Palm Oil Futures Rise for Second Day as Crude Oil and Rival Edible Oils Strengthen
Malaysian palm oil futures rose for a second straight session, buoyed by gains in rival edible oils and higher crude oil prices. The rally r
Williams Nears $5.5 Billion Deal for Momentum Midstream to Boost Gulf Coast Gas Capacity
Williams Companies is reportedly close to a $5.5 billion acquisition of Momentum Midstream. The deal would add pipeline capacity from the Ha
UK Firms Turn Cautious as CBI Outlook Hits Lowest Since December 2025
UK businesses are growing more cautious about the next quarter, with a key CBI survey showing expected output falling to -28. Meanwhile, job
June Jobs Report Arrives Early: What Investors Should Watch for Fed Clues
The June US jobs report arrives Thursday, a day early due to the Independence Day holiday. After May's blockbuster 172,000 job gain—double e
China Factory Profits Rise 21.1% in May, But AI Boom Masks Auto Slump
China's factory profits rose 21.1% in May, but the gains were uneven. AI-linked electronics surged 103.9%, while automakers saw profits drop
Oil Slides as Tanker Traffic Through Strait of Hormuz Eases Supply Fears
Oil prices dropped sharply as tankers kept moving through the Strait of Hormuz, easing fears of a blockade. Brent settled at $71.99, down 4.
US Consumer Sentiment Edges Up in June, Inflation Expectations Cool
US consumers felt slightly less gloomy in June, with the Michigan sentiment index rising to 49.5. One-year inflation expectations fell to 4.