Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Hong Kong will announce March CPI inflation on 21 April. The headline inflation y/y is expected to have eased moderately. Food and housing (accounts for almost 60% of CPI weighting basket) likely stayed high offsetting the effect of lower oil prices.
Despite further mortgage tightening measures from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in February, housing prices in particular have been trending higher.
According to Standard Chartered estimates, the headline inflation is seen at 4.5% y/y from 4.6% prior.
The underlying CPI measure, which excludes distortions from one-off government concessions probably edged lower from previous 2.85%.
On the basis of this, 2015 headline inflation is projected to average an elevated level around 3 - 4%, reflecting still-solid domestic demand and minimal spillover from low oil prices.
USD/HKD is currently trading at 7.75125.
