MONEY MASTER

Singapore’s consumer prices edged down in July, though annual inflation picked up modestly, signalling continued mixed pressures in the economy. According to the  Department of Statistics , the  Consumer Price Index (CPI) slipped 0.4% month-on-month , but rose  0.6% year-on-year . Categories Driving Inflation Health:  +2.4% YoY, the sharpest rise Transport:  +2.1% YoY Food:  +1.1% YoY Education:  +0.7% YoY Housing & Utilities:  +0.3% YoY Categories in Decline Information & Communication:  -2.6% YoY, biggest fall Clothing & Footwear:  -2.3% YoY Recreation, Sport & Culture:  -1.2% YoY Household Durables & Services:  -0.5% YoY Miscellaneous Goods & Services:  -0.4% YoY The mixed CPI print reflects  resilient demand in essential services  such as healthcare and transport, while discretionary categories including apparel and entertainment continue to see  deflationary trends .

China’s highly anticipated Finance Ministry briefing on Saturday failed to deliver the substantial stimulus that equity investors had hoped for, signaling that market volatility may persist. Despite Finance Minister Lan Fo'an promising more support for the struggling property sector and hinting at increased government borrowing, the absence of a major fiscal stimulus package left traders underwhelmed. Investors were expecting up to 2 trillion yuan ($283 billion) in fresh stimulus, including potential subsidies and consumption vouchers, but the briefing lacked a headline figure . The ministry announced that local governments could issue special bonds to convert unsold homes into subsidized housing, but provided no details on the scale of additional stimulus. Market sentiment turned negative, with Shen Meng , director at Chanson & Co., noting that there is a significant gap between market expectations and what was announced. As a result, investor patience is being tested, ...

China's consumer inflation eased unexpectedly in September , while producer price deflation deepened , increasing pressure on Beijing to implement further stimulus measures to revive weak demand and faltering economic activity. The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.4% year-on-year , the slowest increase in three months, down from 0.6% in August and below economists’ expectations of another 0.6% rise, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) . At the same time, the producer price index (PPI) fell by 2.8% , marking the fastest decline in six months and further intensifying deflationary concerns. China's Finance Minister Lan Foan announced that more “counter-cyclical measures” are expected this year, though no specifics on the size or timing were provided. Analysts and investors are eagerly awaiting the upcoming parliamentary meeting, which may outline detailed fiscal stimulus plans aimed at addressing these deflationary pressures. "China is grappling with p...

China has ramped up stimulus efforts to prevent its economy from slipping into a deflationary spiral , with measures including interest rate cuts, eased home-buying rules, and cash handouts. The People’s Bank of China slashed rates on one-year loans and the government rolled out subsidies to support jobless graduates. These moves are aimed at reviving growth in the world's second-largest economy, but analysts warn this might only be a temporary fix. Globally, here's a roundup of key economic trends and developments: Asia China : Despite the stimulus, China is expected to miss its 2024 growth target as the property slump continues to weigh heavily on economic momentum. The People's Bank of China cut its medium-term lending rate to 2% , marking the largest reduction on record. India : Gold imports surged ahead of the festive season, boosted by tax cuts, signaling strong demand in the world’s second-largest gold consumer. US US Core Inflation : The Federal Reserve's ...