Bank Negara Malaysia in focus
WITH a light data calendar ahead, focus turns to Bank Negara Malaysia as it releases a series of key reports offering deeper insights into the country’s economic, monetary and financial conditions.
The central bank is set to release its 2025 annual report, Economic & Monetary Review 2025 and Financial Stability Review for the second half of 2025, alongside the detailed disclosure of international reserves as at end-February 2026 and the monthly highlights and statistics for February 2026.
Analysts said the data will also include the latest growth outlook for 2026, providing clearer signals on the economy’s trajectory amid heightened conflict in the Middle East.
Other data due this week include the S&P global manufacturing purchasing managers’ index or PMI.
Manufacturing PMI
ASIA’s manufacturing PMI data this week will provide a gauge of regional demand and supply conditions amid the Middle East conflict.
According to Bloomberg estimates, China’s official March manufacturing PMI is expected to rise to 50.2 from 49 in February, while the non-manufacturing PMI is seen at 50 from 49.5.
Meanwhile, China’s March RatingDog manufacturing PMI is projected at 52.5, up from 52.1 in February while the services PMI is expected to ease to 53.7 from 56.7.
ING expects China’s manufacturing PMI to return to 50 in March from 49 in February, while South Korea’s manufacturing PMI is likely to fall below the 50 threshold.
Inflation news
INDONESIA and South Korea are expected to release their inflation data this week, offering further insight into regional price pressures.
According to Bloomberg estimates, Indonesia’s March consumer price index (CPI) is projected at 3.59% year-on-year (y-o-y), easing from 4.76% in February.
South Korea’s inflation data is expected to show headline CPI rising 0.6% month-on-month (m-o-m) and 2.4% y-o-y, compared with 0.3% m-o-m and 2% y-o-y in February, while core inflation is seen moderating to around 2.1% to 2.2% y-o-y from 2.3% in February.
