East Asia Econ

Welcome

Welcome to EAST ASIA ECON, a research service run from Taipei by Paul Cavey, and specializing in the markets and macro of China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

We cover all the major data releases, as well as providing weekly and monthly summaries. We also devote a lot of time to thematic work, aiming to understand development patterns across the region, and to find common investment themes.

The analysis is founded on an on-the-ground knowledge gained from thirty years experience living, travelling and working in the region. We also have a very strong data infrastructure, built by directly accessing official sources, and made available to subscribers via a comprehensive range of interactive charts and a data app.

We don't think you'll find coverage that is as comprehensive and rounded anywhere else. The articles and charts below give a flavor of the work we are doing. There is a lot more on the home pages of the individual economies.

Signing up here will ensure you receive occassional emails that give you a taste of what we do. If you work in a financial institution and are interested in subscribing to our full service, please get in touch for a trial. Special access is also available for academics.

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Korea – business sentiment worsens again

Korea – business sentiment worsens again

Business sentiment fell again in today's survey, and has now only been worse during the global financial crisis and covid. Exporter sentiment has ticked-down, but the weakness is much more apparent in domestic, non-manufacturing sectors. Further policy easing is ahead.

2 min read

Taiwan – how to cope with the US shock

Taiwan – how to cope with the US shock

Taiwan macro doesn't attract much attention, but its experience matters. Taiwan was most exposed to the 2000s China shock. That it then suffered near-deflation reflected tight fiscal policy, a lesson that needs to be learnt in dealing with the latest shock, this time emanating from the US.

6 min read

Japan – four reason why the JPY hasn't helped exports

Japan – four reason why the JPY hasn't helped exports

Export volumes have ticked up this year, but not by enough to think that JPY weakness is finally boosting sales. That has a silver lining: just as JPY weakness didn't boost real growth, a strengthening currency won't lead to much deterioration. There will, however, be an impact on nominal earnings.

3 min read

China – 5.4% isn't enough

China – 5.4% isn't enough

Since June last year, there has been a real inflection in retail sales and some construction indicators. In Q1, however, real estate remained as weak as ever. Manufacturing FAI is strong, but that has to be at risk from the trade war. Overall, the economy still isn't on a firm footing.

2 min read

China – policies to boost consumption

China – policies to boost consumption

The second of two videos on consumption, an issue that is even more important given the economic damage that will be inflicted on China by the tariffs. It is impossible to imagine Beijing supporting western-style consumerism. But there is still a way for economic policy to boost consumer spending.

1 min read

Korea – cycle worsening, rates to fall

Korea – cycle worsening, rates to fall

The economic environment for Korea is about as bad as it can get. Despite the short-term rebound in house prices, that suggests more rate cuts, starting at this week's meeting, that will ultimately take the policy rate below neutral. The one caveat I have is the stickiness of services inflation.

5 min read

China – import ratio now the lowest since the 1990s

China – import ratio now the lowest since the 1990s

Exports through March were solid, but not so strong as to suggest big front-loading. The real standout is the import ratio dropping to a new post-1990s low. The trade surplus upsets Trump. Equally though, weak imports limit China's appeal as a market for others looking for an alternative to the US.

2 min read

China – recovery in credit growth continues

China – recovery in credit growth continues

Credit and monetary data continue to suggest the monetary squeeze of 2023 and 1H24 has ended. The significance of the rebound is offset by three factors: it isn't incorporating non-government borrowing; mortgage lending isn't rising; and definitional changes to M1.

2 min read

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