MONEY MASTER

Manufacturing activity across Asia remained in  expansion territory in March , but signs of  slowing momentum are emerging  as rising energy prices from the Middle East conflict begin to weigh on the region. Growth Holds, but Momentum Weakens S&P Global data showed that several economies, including  South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand , recorded improved factory activity. Thailand led the region with a  PMI of 54.1 Malaysia returned to  expansion after a prior contraction South Korea also showed  strong improvement However, the broader  ASEAN Manufacturing PMI slipped to 51.8 , down from  February’s 53.8 , marking the  slowest pace of expansion since September . While still above the  50-point threshold , the data highlights a  clear loss of growth momentum . War-Driven Energy Shock Weighs on Industry The slowdown comes as the  US-Israel conflict with Iran disrupts energy markets , particularly via the  Strait of ...

Japanese equities opened lower on Friday, tracking the overnight decline on Wall Street, as fresh inflation data increased expectations that the Bank of Japan may move ahead with a rate hike in December. The  Nikkei 225  fell  1.1% , dropping  572.7 points  to open at  49,251.26 , with traders reducing risk exposure amid rising price pressures and shifting global sentiment. Adding to market caution, the Japanese government is preparing a  ¥17.7 trillion stimulus package , Bloomberg reported on Thursday, aimed at supporting households and businesses as the economy adjusts to sustained inflation and the likelihood of higher borrowing costs. A more positive note came from  S&P Global’s flash PMI , which showed Japan’s private-sector output hitting a  three-month high , supported by firm business confidence. However, the report also highlighted accelerating cost pressures, keeping inflation concerns in focus. Geopolitical tensions added anoth...

President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff war may be reshaping global trade in ways that everyday investors can’t ignore. According to research by  S&P Global , the pressure is accelerating China’s pivot toward the  Global South  — a group of developing economies across  Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa . China’s Trade Shift Is Already Underway Over the past decade,  China’s exports to Global South nations have doubled , far outpacing growth to the US (+28%) and Western Europe (+58%). The momentum has only strengthened since Trump’s first term, as Chinese companies search for new markets amid a slowing domestic economy and higher US tariffs. Today, China’s trade with its 20 largest Global South partners equals about  20% of those countries’ GDP , making Beijing a central force in their economies. Sectors and Companies to Watch Chinese firms are building new  manufacturing hubs  abroad, with a focus on: Electric vehicles...

Credit Watch Fitch Ratings  cut  Intel’s credit rating by one notch  from  BBB+ to BBB  on Monday, assigning a  negative outlook , as competitive pressure and execution risks cloud the chipmaker's recovery path. 🔻  Intel now sits just two notches above junk status. “Credit metrics remain weak… stronger markets and product execution are needed within 12–14 months,” — Fitch What’s Weighing on Intel? Demand Struggles : Soft PC and enterprise server markets Rising Competition : AMD & Qualcomm  (PC CPUs) Broadcom, NXP  (semiconductors) Execution Risks : Uncertainty in product ramp-up success Leverage Concerns : Need for  net debt reduction Despite these,  Fitch acknowledged Intel’s leadership  in traditional PCs and servers but flagged its  weaker financial structure  relative to similarly rated peers.  Liquidity Snapshot (as of Jun 28) Cash & Equivalents : US$21.2B Undrawn Credit Lines : US$7B revolver US$5B...

Key Takeaway: China’s manufacturing sector showed signs of stabilization in June, driven by improved domestic demand following the  temporary US-China tariff truce . The latest  Caixin PMI print of 50.4  beat expectations and marked the first return to expansion territory in three months. What You Need to Know: Caixin Manufacturing PMI (June): Actual:  50.4 Forecast:  49.3 Prior:  48.3 First post-truce reading; signals moderate recovery in private manufacturing activity. Survey Details: Conducted by  Caixin and S&P Global , this index focuses on  small- and medium-sized, export-driven firms . Contrasts with the  official PMI , which remains below 50, reflecting persistent caution in larger SOEs. Macro Context: In  mid-May , Beijing and Washington agreed to a  90-day reduction in tariffs , reviving trade flows. Supply chains showed improvement, while domestic demand picked up — though  external demand remains weak . Economis...