Japan's exports fell in July for the first time in nearly 2-1/2 years, driven by weak demand for light oil and chip-making equipment and raising concerns about a global recession as the demand in key markets such as China weakens.
Profits at China's industrial firms fell for a seventh consecutive month in July, declining by 6.7% year-on-year, as weak demand and a faltering post-pandemic recovery continue to squeeze companies in the world's second-largest economy.
South Korea's exports are likely to have fallen for the 11th consecutive month in August due to a slower Chinese economy and weakening demand in other regions.
China's factory activity contracted for the fifth consecutive month in August, indicating that the slowdown in the country's economy has not yet reached its lowest point.
Japan's factory output fell more than expected in July, indicating a challenging start to the second half of the year for manufacturers amid concerns about China's growth and the global economy. Output declined 2.0% in July from the previous month, driven by decreased domestic and overseas orders, particularly in the electronic parts and production machinery sectors. However, car production rose 0.6% due to improved supply chain conditions.
China's factory activity contracted for a fifth consecutive month, putting pressure on Beijing to implement more stimulus measures, while evidence of other weakening areas of the economy raises concerns of a renewed slowdown later this year.
German industrial orders fell more than expected in July, declining by 11.7% on a seasonally and calendar adjusted basis, due to a large order in the aerospace sector the previous month, indicating weakness in the global economy and high energy costs.
China's imports and exports experienced a monthly decline in August, with exports falling by 8.8% and imports falling by 7.3%, indicating ongoing challenges despite some slight improvement.
Big Japanese manufacturers and the services sector in Japan are experiencing a decline in confidence, with concerns of a slowdown in China's economy affecting global and domestic growth, according to a Reuters poll. The weak sentiment in the business sector raises doubts about the ability of exports to drive economic recovery amid weak domestic demand. Many companies cited high input costs and weak demand as contributing factors, along with geopolitical risks and tensions between the US and China.
Japan's core machinery orders fell more than expected in July, reflecting manufacturers' reluctance to invest due to sluggish global growth and weakness in China, signaling challenges for the country's economy.
Singapore's annual exports fell for the 11th consecutive month in August, declining by 20.1% as the trade-dependent economy struggles with global headwinds and declining demand, indicating that export stabilization is not yet within reach.
Japan's exports to China declined for the ninth consecutive month in August, dropping 11%, due to weak demand and the suspension of seafood imports following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant incident.
Japan's core inflation slowed for the third consecutive month in September, mainly due to falling fuel costs, providing some relief for the fragile economic recovery; however, factory output remained flat in August, indicating the negative impact of weak global demand and China's economy.
China's factory activity expanded at a slower pace in September, with sluggish external demand weighing on the outlook, although output increased, according to a private-sector survey.
Japan's service sector experienced the slowest expansion in September since the beginning of the year, as shown by a private survey, indicating potential challenges for the country's economic recovery heavily reliant on domestic demand.
South Korea's factory activity contracted for the 15th consecutive month in September, but at the slowest pace in 15 months, indicating hopeful signs for economic recovery.
Most Japanese companies expect a continued slowdown in China's economy until 2025, with many looking to shift production to other markets, according to a Reuters poll, despite recent signs of recovery in China's economic activity.
China's exports decline improved modestly in September, with the pace slower than the previous month, while imports remained largely unchanged, and analysts anticipate more support will be needed as external demand is expected to stay weak.
China's exports and imports declined at a slower pace in September, indicating a gradual stabilization in the economy, although challenges remain in the face of deflationary pressure, a property crisis, global slowdown, and geopolitical tensions.
Japan's factory activity contracted for the fifth consecutive month in October, while the service sector experienced its slowest growth this year, indicating growing uncertainty about the country's economic outlook.
