Weak South Korea exports may keep rates on hold

Asia’s fourth-largest economy contracted last quarter for the first time in 2-1/2 years, hurt by a slowdown in global demand for its exports and high household debt. — Bloomberg

SEOUL: South Korean exports tumbled for the first 20 days of March and producer inflation eased last month, data shows, reinforcing expectations the central bank will not raise interest rates further amid current market turbulence.

Asia’s fourth-largest economy contracted last quarter for the first time in 2-1/2 years, hurt by a slowdown in global demand for its exports and high household debt.