Singapore manufacturing sector likely remained lacklustre in April

The Economic Development Board of Singapore will announce April industrial production numbers on 26 May.

"Manufacturing activity is expected to remain sluggish and likely declined by 1.8%  y/y-the  third  straight  month  of  y/y  contraction. Domestic  PMI  readings  may have  stayed  below  the  50  threshold  for  the  fifth  consecutive  month.  Exports  were likely soft in 4M-2015, with non-oil domestic exports rising only 3.8% y/y", estimates Standard Chartered.

Meanwhile, the electronics sector enjoyed a more favourable base effect, which probably limited the  downside  in  the  April  manufacturing  sector  reading.  Given  weak  external demand, analysts expect industrial production activity to remain weak, going forward.