Taiwan is scheduled to release April industrial production (IP) data on 25 May. April IP growth likely slowed to 1.2% y/y from 6.49% in March - marking the softest y/y gain since early 2014 on weak external demand.
Total exports may have declined more than the market expected, by 11.7% y/y in April, mainly on flagging mainland China demand, while weak global oil prices likely had a negative impact on certain exports, such as minerals and chemical materials, expects Stnadard Chartered.
Furthermore, total capital goods imports - deemed a key measure of producers' confidence - likely stayed in negative growth for the third consecutive month. If the trend persists in H2-2015, this may indicate a worrying shift lower in manufacturing confidence, added Stnadard Chartered.
