Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki warned Thursday that the nation's economy could worsen in the second quarter, due to coronavirus pandemic.
"There are worries that shocks to the real economy and employment may be large in the second quarter," said Hong during a meeting with other ministers.
The gloomy remark was made after the Bank of Korea announced that South Korea's economy declined by 1.4 percent in the first quarter.
The dip marked the economy's sharpest quarterly contraction since the fourth quarter of 2008.
It was actually above market expectations, as the economy was forecasted to contract 1.81 percent in the quarter, according to a survey by Yonhap Infomax.
Private consumption went down by 6.4 percent on-quarter, marking the sharpest decline since plunged 13.8 percent in the first quarter of 1998.
Exports also fell 2 percent from the previous quarter, due to decreases in machinery, motor vehicles and chemical products.
However, facility investment went up by 0.2 percent, and construction investment increased by 1.3 percent.
Imports went down by 4.1 percent, due to decreased imports of motor vehicles and crude oil.
Meanwhile, government spending jumped 0.9 percent.
South Korea will allocate an extra aid package of 90 trillion won to boost the total to 240 trillion won to help coronavirus-hit companies and save jobs.
