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Asia

Market Chatter: Taiwan's CPC to Hold Gas, Diesel Prices Steady

Taiwanese state-run CPC will keep gasoline and diesel prices unchanged this week, marking the third straight week of stable pricing amid volatile global oil markets, Focus Taiwan reported.From Monday through April 26, retail fuel prices will remain at NT$32.4, NT$33.9, and NT$35.9 per liter for 92, 95, and 98-octane gasoline, respectively, while diesel stays at NT$31 per liter.The company said it will absorb part of the cost to keep domestic fuel prices below regional levels and help contain inflation pressures, the news outlet said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Taiwan Weighted
International

Asia Week Ahead: Inflation; Trade Data; and Central Bank Decisions

The week ahead in Asia is packed with releases covering trade, inflation, and central bank updates which could offer markets fresh clues on how the region is navigating the conflict in the Middle East.Monday begins with trade data from New Zealand and Malaysia, as well as the release of China's loan prime rates.Attention then turns Tuesday to New Zealand's first-quarter inflation report, followed by Bank Indonesia's interest rate decision and Japan's March trade figures on Wednesday.Thursday brings another key central bank decision from the Philippines, as well as first-quarter GDP data from South Korea. Flash PMI reports from India, Japan and Australia will also be closely watched.Friday rounds off the week with Japan's March inflation data, as well as Thailand's trade report.Here's what to watch in the week ahead.MONDAY, April 20The week kicked off with the release of trade data from New Zealand and Malaysia.New Zealand recorded a goods trade surplus of NZ$698 million in March, compared with a deficit of NZ$364.7 million in February.Goods exports rose 7.3% to NZ$7.94 billion, while imports rose 9.6% to NZ$7.25 billion.Malaysia's total trade in goods rose 9.3% annually to 273 billion ringgit in March, driven by growth in both exports and imports.Exports increased 8.3% year on year to 148.8 billion ringgit, while imports rose 10.4% to 124.2 billion ringgit.China kept its loan prime rate or LPR, which is the benchmark for new loans, unchanged after posting a better-than-expected economy amid the Middle East conflict.The People's Bank of China held the one-year LPR at 3% and the LPR of five years or more at 3.5%.Economists at ING said the central bank may keep the rates on hold until conditions warrant monetary policy support. The People's Bank of China has maintained the one-year and five-year LPR since May 2025.TUESDAY, April 21New Zealand is due to report its first quarter inflation data.The country's consumer price index is anticipated to rise by 0.8% quarter on quarter and 2.9% year on year, BofA Securities estimated, slightly below the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's revised April forecast of 3%.Headline inflation is driven by soaring fuel prices in March due to the Middle East conflict, with petrol prices surging nearly 19% and diesel by nearly 43% month on month, according to the firm's research.Taiwan will release its export orders data. According to ING, the city state could see a rebound in orders to around 48.1% year on year from 23.8% previously.WEDNESDAY, April 22Indonesia's central bank will meet for its interest rate decision.ING said it expects Bank Indonesia to keep its policy rate at 4.75% despite inflation running above the central bank's 2.5% target. At 3.5%, inflation is still well below the roughly 5% peak in 2022 that triggered aggressive rate hikes, and with growth softening, the central bank is likely to remain on hold, according to ING.Japan's March trade figures will also be in the news. ING said it expects strong Japanese export growth in March thanks to demand for semiconductors and IT products, pushing the country's trade surplus to 1 trillion yen from 44.3 billion yen in the month prior.Elsewhere, South Korea reports producer price inflation data for March.THURSDAY, April 23Another interest rate decision, this time in the Philippines.The island nation's economy is one of the most susceptible to oil shocks in the region, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' upcoming decision is "likely to be close" amid the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East, ING said in a preview.Still, the firm said its base case is for the central bank to maintain rates at 4.25%.South Korea's advance estimates for GDP growth for the first quarter will also capture headlines.Most analysts expect a rebound in growth after the economy contracted in the previous quarter, the Wall Street Journal reported.Barclays economist Bumki Son said the economy is likely to show a growth of 1.2% on a quarterly basis and 3% on a yearly basis thanks to stronger exports and a recovery in private consumption and facility investment, the WSJ reported.A consumer confidence report is also due in South Korea.Hong Kong and Singapore will announce Inflation data for March.Singapore's March print will capture the initial impact of the energy shock from the Middle East conflict, the WSJ reported, citing DBS economists. According to Trading Economics, the rate of price increase could quick to 1.5% year on year from the 1.2% witnessed in February.In Hong Kong, Trading Economics expects inflation to rise marginally to 1.8% on the year from the 1.7% recorded in February.Hong Kong will also release unemployment data the same day.A number of macro releases are expected in Taiwan, covering March retail sales, industrial production, and unemployment.Similar to its export orders, ING said it expects Taiwan's industrial production to rebound to 25.7% year on year from the 17.8% growth recorded in the month prior.On the activity front, S&P Global releases its flash PMI reports covering manufacturing, services, and composite activity in India, Japan, and Australia.FRIDAY, April 24Markets will await March inflation data from Japan.Core inflation, which excludes fresh food but includes energy, is expected to cool to a rate of 1.8% year on year from the 2% witnessed in February, according to a consensus compiled by Trading Economics.According to ING, efforts by Japan's government to stabilize gasoline prices should keep both headline and core inflation rates below 2%.March inflation data will also be due in Macao, which also reports unemployment rate the same day.Trading Economics estimates that March inflation could clock in at 1.2% year on year, modestly higher than the 1.16% witnessed in February.Unemployment, meanwhile, is expected to rise to 1.8% from 1.7% in the month prior, Trading Economics estimated.In Thailand, trade figures for March will be due.Trading Economics expects the country the post a trade deficit of $2 billion for the month, a reversal from the $2 billion surplus in February.A pair of reports covering business and consumer confidence in the first quarter will be due in the Philippines.A business confidence report covering the second quarter will similarly be made available in Hong Kong.

ASX 200Hang Seng^JKSEFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCIKOSPINikkei 225^NZ50^PSEI^SETShanghai Composite^STI^SZSETaiwan Weighted
Asia

Market Chatter: Taiwan's Stock Market Value Hits $4.14 Trillion, Surpassing UK

Taiwan's stock market has surpassed the UK in value, reaching about $4.14 trillion in total market capitalization and ranking as the world's seventh largest, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday, citing its own compiled data of primary market listed firms on the island.The figure topped the UK's market, which was valued at around $4.09 trillion as of Wednesday, the report said.The rally was fueled mainly by a rebound in technology shares as geopolitical tensions eased, helping the Taiex index recover earlier losses and push to a record high. Strong performance from major tech firms, especially those tied to artificial intelligence, led the gains and boosted overall investor sentiment, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Taiwan Weighted
Equities

S&P Global: Oil Shock Could Undermine Asian Pacific Bonds

About one-seventh of Asian Pacific corporate bonds outstanding could come under pressure if the Persian Gulf war and higher oil prices persist, S&P Global reported Thursday."A prolonged oil shock could undermine the credit quality of 15% of rated Asia-Pacific corporates tested under our downside scenario," advised S&P Global. "That's up from 9% under our base case of a quicker end to war."The Asia-Pacific is more exposed to a Middle-East related energy shock than most other regions, and vulnerable to "disruptions to energy and raw material supplies, demand destruction, margin compression, and working capital volatility," advised S&P Global.Nearly 90% of the crude oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz is bound for Asia, and Persian Gulf petroleum accounts for about 40% of Asia-Pacific's energy imports, noted the credit-rating agency.In Asia, industries and enterprises that rely on jet fuel, diesel, and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) "face the highest shortage risk," reported S&P Global.Business sectors most affected include chemicals, downstream oil and gas, airlines, automobile-manufacturing, engineering and construction, and building materials.In terms of nations, South Korea, Japan, and mainland China "have largely mitigated near-term supply disruption," through use of adequate reserves, but "other countries have had to announce various measures to manage a potential energy supply crunch," said S&P Global.Not only corporates, but some sovereign bonds could be affected if high prices persist.The Philippines sovereign credit-rating was reduced to BBB+ "stable" from "positive" last week, due to exposure to oil shocks, said S&P Global.

Hang Seng^JKSEKOSPINikkei 225^PSEI^SETShanghai CompositeTaiwan Weighted
Asia

Market Chatter: Taiwanese Ministry Warns Oil Prices Unlikely to Return to Pre-War Levels Soon

The oil prices in Taiwan are not expected to drop back to pre-conflict levels even if tensions in the Middle East ease in the near term, Taiwan News reported Wednesday, citing the country's Ministry of Economic Affairs.Deputy Economic Affairs Minister Ho Chin-tsang said crude prices will continue to be driven by geopolitical developments and the government will keep monitoring global market conditions. His remarks came as signals of potential renewed talks with Iran from US President Donald Trump raised hopes of some stabilization in oil markets after weeks of volatility.National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien noted that some US think tanks expect the conflict to last four to eight weeks, while recent trends in oil and gas prices indicate initial signs of slowing down, the news outlet said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Taiwan Weighted
Asia

IMF Lowers 2026 Growth Outlook for Most Asian Economies Amid Middle East War

The International Monetary Fund has lowered its growth estimates for most Asian economies for 2026, according to a recent release.The organization revised down its growth outlook for emerging Asian economies to 4.9% from a previous prospect of 5% in January, which was before the start of the conflict in the Middle East.Growth for the group will continue to decline to 4.8% in 2027, the IMF said.The organization projects China's economy growing 4.4% this year and 4% next year, while India will post growth of 6.5% for the next two years.Cumulative growth among Southeast Asia's five biggest economies, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, will fall to 3.7% in 2026 from 4.9%, although this will recover to 4.7% next year, the organization said.Individually, Vietnam will post the strongest growth of 7.1%, although this is still lower than the 8% growth last year.The rest of the economies in the group will also see lower growth, with Indonesia at 5%, Malaysia at 4.7%, the Philippines at 4.1%, and Thailand at 1.5%.Among advanced economies in Asia-Pacific, Korea's growth will rise to 1.9% from 1% last year, while that of Australia will remain flat at 2%.Japan's growth will slow down to 0.7% in 2026 and 0.6% in 2027 from 1.2% last year, according to the IMF.Taiwan will see lower expansion of 5.2% from 8.7% in 2025, while Singapore's growth will come to 3.5%, down from 5% last year.Hong Kong will also observe lower growth of 2.4%, compared to 3.5% in 2025.The IMF forecasts global economic growth to weaken to 3.1% this year from 3.4% last year, accounting for the impacts of the continued conflict in the Middle East.

ASX 200^BSE^DSE^HNX^HOSEHang Seng^JKSEFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI^KOSDAQKOSPINikkei 225Nifty 50^PSEI^SETShanghai Composite^STI^SZSETaiwan Weighted^YSX
Asia

Taiwan's Semiconductor Production Equipment Imports Rise 26% in March, Jefferies Says

Taiwan's semiconductor production equipment (SPE) imports grew 26% year over year to $4.86 billion in March, Jefferies said in a Tuesday research note.March import levels significantly improved after a drop in February and hit a new all-time high, exceeding the previous record of $3.85 billion in March 2025, the equity research firm said.Imports from Malaysia reached $874 million, growing 73% year-over-year and also setting a new all-time high, the research firm said.Imports from the US hit $751 million, up 4%, while imports from Japan also grew 4% to $956 million, Jefferies said.For the first quarter, total imports came to $10.56 billion.Advantest, which manufactures System on a Chip (SoC) testers at a Malaysian firm, has a 50% share of Taiwan's SPE imports from Malaysia, Jefferies said.

Taiwan Weighted
International

Taiwan Stabilization Fund Stays on Sidelines Amid Geopolitical Tremors

Taiwan's National Financial Stabilization Fund said it will continue monitoring market conditions but sees no need to intervene at the moment, citing strong domestic fundamentals despite global volatility driven by Middle East tensions, the country's Ministry of Finance said Monday.The fund noted that Taiwan's stock market has remained stable following its withdrawal from the market earlier this year, with the benchmark index rising about 16% since Jan. 12. It recorded a net income of NT$8.05 billion and held stocks worth NT$3.56 billion as of March, with unrealized gains of NT$1.27 billion.The stabilization fund ended its 279-day intervention period in January, during which it was deployed to curb volatility linked to external shocks. Authorities said strong exports, resilient domestic demand and solid corporate earnings continue to support Taiwan's financial stability despite ongoing geopolitical risks.

Taiwan Weighted
Asia

Market Chatter: Taiwan's CPC Diverts Oil Tankers From Hormuz via Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Taiwanese state owned CPC said that four crude oil tankers carrying a combined 8 million barrels are set to begin arriving in Taiwan in early May, after rerouting away from the Strait of Hormuz, Taiwan News reported Monday.CPC Chair Fang Chen-jen said the vessels will instead pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with shipments departing from the Red Sea starting in April. Deputy Economic Affairs Minister Lai Chien-hsin said the government has secured alternative crude sources from spot markets and non-Middle East suppliers as part of contingency planning, according to the report.Officials added that Taiwan's oil reserves exceed 90 days of demand and natural gas stocks are above 11 days, indicating sufficient near-term energy security, the news outlet reported.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Taiwan Weighted
Asia

Market Chatter: Price Stability Takes Priority Over Exports, Taiwan Central Bank Says

Taiwan's central bank prioritizes price stability over export competitiveness when managing foreign exchange intervention, Taiwan News reported Monday, citing central bank's Deputy Governor Yen Tzung-ta.While addressing reporters, Yen said the central bank's efforts to stabilize the Taiwan dollar can help cushion imported inflation pressures linked to rising global oil prices amid the Iran conflict. He noted that while international commodity prices have increased due to the geopolitical tensions, imported inflation in Taiwan remains manageable.Lawmakers warned that a weaker Taiwan dollar could raise import costs and asked if limits should be imposed on foreign investors repatriating funds after selling shares. Deputy Governor Yen said such controls would be difficult under Taiwan's open capital system, noting that existing rules already require funds to stay in the market if not immediately withdrawn.He added that the central bank will continue monitoring developments in the Middle East and global financial conditions, reportedly.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Taiwan Weighted
International

Middle East Escalation Could Cost Asia Up to $299 Billion, UNDP Warns

The ongoing military escalation in the Middle East could inflict economic losses of up to $299 billion across Asia and the Pacific, as higher fuel, freight and input costs ripple through regional economies, UNDP's latest assessment report release Tuesday showed.The report said the shock is weakening household purchasing power, increasing food insecurity, straining public budgets and undermining livelihoods, particularly in countries heavily reliant on imported energy and food, as well as those exposed to Gulf trade routes, labor markets and remittance flows.It estimated that under a 28-day disruption scenario, regional output losses could range between $97 billion and $299 billion, equivalent to 0.3% to 0.8% of GDP, with South Asia facing the most pronounced impact.Around 8.8 million people across 14 countries could fall into poverty, including more than 5 million in Iran, where the poverty rate may rise from 36% to 41.5%, according to the simulations.The report, prepared as of April 9, draws on inputs from 22 UNDP country offices covering 36 countries, alongside modelling and external data. It noted that outcomes will depend heavily on the duration and intensity of the conflict, with risks rising further if disruptions persist.

^BSE^DSE^HNX^HOSEHang Seng^JKSEFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI^KOSDAQKOSPINikkei 225Nifty 50^PSEI^SETShanghai Composite^STI^SZSETaiwan Weighted^YSX
Asia

Market Chatter: CPC, Formosa to Keep Domestic Fuel Prices Unchanged

State-owned CPC Corp., Taiwan, and Formosa Petrochemical (TPE:6505) plan to keep domestic fuel prices unchanged this week despite elevated global crude oil prices, after the government gave directives to stabilize consumer prices and ease cost pressures, Taipei Times reported Monday.The state-run firm also considered subsidy policies in neighboring markets to ensure Taiwan continues to have the lowest retail fuel prices in the region, CPC Chairman Fang Jeng-zen reportedly said.Meanwhile, Formosa Petrochemical said it aligned its pricing with CPC after factoring in global oil trends, exchange rates and domestic competition, the newspaper reported.Effective Monday, gasoline prices remain at NT$32.4, NT$33.9 and NT$35.9 per liter for 92, 95 and 98-octane fuel, respectively, while premium diesel stays at NT$31 at CPC stations and NT$30.8 at Formosa outlets, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Taiwan WeightedTPE:6505
Asia

Market Chatter: Taiwan's Inflation Under Control Despite Global Energy Price Hike

Taiwan's central bank said imported inflation remained under control despite rising global energy prices, Taipei Times reported Monday, citing the central bank's report to the Legislative Yuan.The bank said appreciation of the New Taiwan dollar against the US dollar helped cushion the impact of higher import costs, limiting the rise in import prices in local currency terms even as they increased in US dollar terms, according to the reportHowever, it warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has pushed up crude oil and commodity prices, posing upside risks to global inflation, the report said.Consumer prices in Taiwan rose 1.23% annually in the first quarter, remaining below the central bank's 2% alert threshold, supported by government price stabilization measures. The bank said it would continue to monitor external risks and adjust monetary policy as needed, the newspaper reported.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Taiwan Weighted
Asia

Trump Declares Immediate U.S. Navy Blockade of Hormuz After Iran Talks Fail

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on social media that the U.S. Navy would immediately begin blockading all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz after a failed talk with Tehran.Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday that while the goal is eventually to reach an "all being allowed to go in, all being allowed to go out" arrangement, Iran has prevented this by citing vague concerns about undisclosed mines."Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, 'There may be a mine out there somewhere,' that nobody knows about but them," Trump wrote.Trump further directed the Navy to intercept any vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran while also ordering the destruction of mines allegedly laid by Iran in the strait and warning that any Iranian attack on U.S. or peaceful vessels would result in them being "BLOWN TO HELL."Meanwhile, Reuters News, citing the U.S. Central Command, reported that the blockade of all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports is set to begin at 10 a.m. ET on Monday.The command clarified that freedom of navigation would remain unaffected for ships transiting the strait to non-Iranian ports, with formal notices to be issued to commercial mariners beforehand, the newswire said.

^BSE^HNX^HOSE^Hang Seng^JKSEFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI^KOSDAQKOSPINikkei 225^NSE^PSEI^SETShanghai Composite^STI^SZSETaiwan Weighted
International

Taiwan's Exports, Imports Rise in March

Taiwan's exports rose 61.8% year on year in March to a record $80.2 billion, while imports increased 38.3% on year to a record $58.9 billion, according to preliminary data released by the Ministry of Finance on Friday.Monthly, exports jumped 61% from February, while imports climbed 59.1%, the data showed.For January to March, cumulative exports totaled US$195.7 billion, up 51.1% from the same period a year earlier, while cumulative imports reached $142.8 billion, an increase of 34.8% from a year ago.

Taiwan Weighted

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