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Capital Economics

Capital Economics: A leading independent economic research firm, headquartered in London, UK, with offices globally including New York, Toronto, Sydney, and Singapore. It specialises in providing macroeconomic, financial market, and sectoral analysis, forecasts, and consultancy services. Primarily serving investment banks, wealth managers, corporations, governments, and central banks, Capital Economics is renowned for its award-winning analysis and forecasting accuracy, including the Wolfson Economics Prize. Their overall business focus is to deliver independent economic insight, enabling clients to make informed investment decisions and navigate complex financial landscapes.

Construction workers in California in March. Photo: via AFP

United States

US adds 178,000 jobs in March but Middle East war ‘likely not incorporated’

Gains in a slumping market were about three times the forecast, thought to be linked to construction firms doing more in recent warm weather.

27 minutes agovideocam

Banking & finance

China’s central bank pledges stability in capital markets amid global sell-off

19 Mar 2026 - 9:30PM

US, Israel war on Iran

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

14 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Energy

Iran war threatens prolonged energy shock, slower growth for Asia

Observers say an extended disruption of energy flows could mean persistently higher fuel costs and widening trade deficits for Asian importers.

11 Mar 2026 - 9:45PMvideocam

A man carries a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder in Mumbai on Wednesday. India has implemented several measures to secure energy supplies and manage demand. Photo: EPA

China energy security

As war on Iran escalates, Asia scrambles to deal with global energy fallout

China, Japan and South Korea have all taken steps to reduce impact of supply shortages – but analysts warn of spillover.

11 Mar 2026 - 11:05AMvideocam

China deflation

China’s inflation rises after holiday spending spree. Is 2% target reachable?

The consumer price index rose 0.8 per cent in the first two months of 2026, though analysts remain concerned about long-term deflation risks.

10 Mar 2026 - 5:24PM

Two Sessions 2026

China pivots to ‘investing in people’ strategy as growth engine switches gears

Premier announces changes in spending priorities, aiming to boost consumption, but doubts remain whether resources will match ambitions.

6 Mar 2026 - 1:05PMvideocam

A worker uses machinery at a steel structure firm in China’s Sichuan province. China will raise the average duration of education for the working-age population to 11.7 years by 2030. Photo: Xinhua

Iran

US-Iran strikes: global shipping braces for hit from Strait of Hormuz closure

Various reports indicate that authorities in Tehran have taken control of the vital energy transport route.

1 Mar 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Thailand

Thailand’s economy rebounds despite tourism decline, pandemic

Lagging regional peers since the pandemic, the Thai economy has faced multiple headwinds, including US tariffs, high household debt and a strengthening baht.

16 Feb 2026 - 4:51PM

Bangladesh

Outcry in Bangladesh over politician’s call to curb women in workforce

The proposal has sparked concerns that it would damage the country’s vital garment sector, which is dominated by female workers.

8 Feb 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party, speaking at an interview in his office in Dhaka in 2024. His recent comments on shorter working hours for women have fuelled concerns ahead of the country’s election on February 12. Photo: AFP

India

Why India may ‘gravitate back’ to US bloc after Trump-Modi tariff deal

Analysts doubt that India can buy more than US$500 billion of US products in a short span of time and stop buying Russian oil.

3 Feb 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump hugs India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a news conference in the White House in February last year. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

China widens trade gap with Africa to record US$102 billion amid US pressure

Data points to growing African trade deficit as Trump imposes tariffs, and African demand for manufactured goods and commodity price spikes.

21 Jan 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong property

New World Development secures 65% perpetual bond swap but debt pressure persists

The Hong Kong developer has won backing for a partial exchange of its perpetual bonds, but the distressed builder still faces a hefty debt burden.

18 Nov 2025 - 4:20PM

China exports

China’s exports fall in October as firms wait out trade war reset

Outbound shipments fell short of forecasts, while Beijing and Washington have since paved the way for a de-escalation.

7 Nov 2025 - 6:03PMvideocam

An aerial drone photo shows a cargo ship, assisted by tugboats, berthing at a container terminal of Qingdao Port in east China’s Shandong province on October 20. Photo: Xinhua

Commodities

Explainer | Gold slumps after record highs. Why is Ray Dalio such a big advocate for it?

Despite the billionaire investor’s long-time support for gold, some analysts warn that it is in a bubble.

22 Oct 2025 - 12:43PM

A worker polishes gold bullion bars at the ABC Refinery in Sydney. After a historic rally, the price of gold fell as much as 6.3 per cent at one point on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

Demise of US trade deal AGOA pushes Africa further into China’s orbit

Lapse of African Growth and Opportunity Act deals tariff blow to continent and ‘creates fertile ground’ for Beijing to expand its clout.

7 Oct 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

China inflation

Chinese consumer prices slip back into decline amid deflationary pressures

Weak domestic demand and industrial oversupply continue to weigh on prices as CPI falls 0.4 per cent in August.

10 Sep 2025 - 1:12PM

China-Africa relations

Kenya’s plan to switch debt payments from US dollars to yuan is a ‘win-win’

The move could set a new precedent, reducing Nairobi’s reliance on US currency while meeting Beijing’s goal of increased trade deals in yuan.

5 Sep 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Kenya has announced plans to repay its debt to China in renminbi rather than US dollars, strengthening its economic ties with Beijing. Photo: SCMP

US-China trade war

Some relief, some worry - how did the world react to Trump’s new chip tariffs?

A 100 per cent tariff on US chip imports received a range of responses, as some firms stand to see little impact while others would be hit harder.

11 Aug 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong property

Is the chill in Hong Kong commercial property actually an ice age?

Landlords have ‘not yet faced reality’ as a ‘negative spiral’ makes recovery ‘improbable within the next decade’, analysts say.

13 Aug 2025 - 11:08PM

US-China trade war

Trump wants China to buy more US goods. Right now, the opposite is happening

China has slowed or halted purchases of a slew of US energy and farm goods in 2025, but shipments could soar again after a US-China trade deal.

29 Jul 2025 - 12:27AMvideocam

US and Chinese officials conduct a first round of trade negotiations in Geneva in May, which led to a temporary “tariff truce” deal. The two sides begin a third round of talks in Stockholm on Monday. Photo: Reuters

China birth rate

‘Milestone’: China launches first national childcare subsidies amid birth crisis

But analysts warn the cash transfers may be too little, too late.

28 Jul 2025 - 7:53PMvideocam

A nurse takes care of a newborn baby at a hospital in Fuyang, in China’s eastern Anhui province on January 17, 2023. Photo: AFP

China economy

Overzealous austerity worsens China’s demand woes

Consumer prices barely rose in June after months of deflation, as overproduction spurs unprofitable competition and excessive frugality among local officials adds to demand challenges.

9 Jul 2025 - 5:00PM

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Capital Economics

US adds 178,000 jobs in March but Middle East war ‘likely not incorporated’

Gains in a slumping market were about three times the forecast, thought to be linked to construction firms doing more in recent warm weather.

China’s central bank pledges stability in capital markets amid global sell-off

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

Iran war threatens prolonged energy shock, slower growth for Asia

Observers say an extended disruption of energy flows could mean persistently higher fuel costs and widening trade deficits for Asian importers.

As war on Iran escalates, Asia scrambles to deal with global energy fallout

China, Japan and South Korea have all taken steps to reduce impact of supply shortages – but analysts warn of spillover.

China’s inflation rises after holiday spending spree. Is 2% target reachable?

The consumer price index rose 0.8 per cent in the first two months of 2026, though analysts remain concerned about long-term deflation risks.

China pivots to ‘investing in people’ strategy as growth engine switches gears

Premier announces changes in spending priorities, aiming to boost consumption, but doubts remain whether resources will match ambitions.

US-Iran strikes: global shipping braces for hit from Strait of Hormuz closure

Various reports indicate that authorities in Tehran have taken control of the vital energy transport route.

Thailand’s economy rebounds despite tourism decline, pandemic

Lagging regional peers since the pandemic, the Thai economy has faced multiple headwinds, including US tariffs, high household debt and a strengthening baht.

Outcry in Bangladesh over politician’s call to curb women in workforce

The proposal has sparked concerns that it would damage the country’s vital garment sector, which is dominated by female workers.

Why India may ‘gravitate back’ to US bloc after Trump-Modi tariff deal

Analysts doubt that India can buy more than US$500 billion of US products in a short span of time and stop buying Russian oil.

China widens trade gap with Africa to record US$102 billion amid US pressure

Data points to growing African trade deficit as Trump imposes tariffs, and African demand for manufactured goods and commodity price spikes.

New World Development secures 65% perpetual bond swap but debt pressure persists

The Hong Kong developer has won backing for a partial exchange of its perpetual bonds, but the distressed builder still faces a hefty debt burden.

China’s exports fall in October as firms wait out trade war reset

Outbound shipments fell short of forecasts, while Beijing and Washington have since paved the way for a de-escalation.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | Gold slumps after record highs. Why is Ray Dalio such a big advocate for it?

Despite the billionaire investor’s long-time support for gold, some analysts warn that it is in a bubble.

Demise of US trade deal AGOA pushes Africa further into China’s orbit

Lapse of African Growth and Opportunity Act deals tariff blow to continent and ‘creates fertile ground’ for Beijing to expand its clout.

Chinese consumer prices slip back into decline amid deflationary pressures

Weak domestic demand and industrial oversupply continue to weigh on prices as CPI falls 0.4 per cent in August.

Kenya’s plan to switch debt payments from US dollars to yuan is a ‘win-win’

The move could set a new precedent, reducing Nairobi’s reliance on US currency while meeting Beijing’s goal of increased trade deals in yuan.

Some relief, some worry - how did the world react to Trump’s new chip tariffs?

A 100 per cent tariff on US chip imports received a range of responses, as some firms stand to see little impact while others would be hit harder.

Is the chill in Hong Kong commercial property actually an ice age?

Landlords have ‘not yet faced reality’ as a ‘negative spiral’ makes recovery ‘improbable within the next decade’, analysts say.

Trump wants China to buy more US goods. Right now, the opposite is happening

China has slowed or halted purchases of a slew of US energy and farm goods in 2025, but shipments could soar again after a US-China trade deal.

‘Milestone’: China launches first national childcare subsidies amid birth crisis

But analysts warn the cash transfers may be too little, too late.

Overzealous austerity worsens China’s demand woes

Consumer prices barely rose in June after months of deflation, as overproduction spurs unprofitable competition and excessive frugality among local officials adds to demand challenges.

Explainer | Gold slumps after record highs. Why is Ray Dalio such a big advocate for it?