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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.

Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Pan Gongsheng, speaks during a press conference on the sideline of the National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 6, 2026. Photo: AP

Banking & finance

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

With worries over the Iran war driving down stock prices, the People’s Bank of China has named market stability as a ‘major task’ in 2026.

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

11 Mar 2026 - 9:45PMvideocam

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

This video grab shows fire erupting at an oil depot in Iran’s capital Tehran after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran starting on February 28. Photo: AFP

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

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

The Strait of Hormuz is the maritime gateway to the Persian Gulf and a vital energy shipping route. Photo: AFP

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

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

Workers load trucks for export to Africa at Yantai port in Shandong province this month. The jump in Africa’s trade deficit with China was driven by a 25.8 per cent surge in Chinese exports, outpacing 5.4 per cent growth in African shipments to China. Photo: AFP

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

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

Kenyan workers at an export processing zone prepare garments for shipping. With the future of a long-standing US trade pact in doubt, African countries are looking to China as they reassess commercial ties. Photo: Reuters

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

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

US President Donald Trump said Washington would be imposed a 100 per cent tariff on all semiconductor and chip imports during a visit from Apple CEO Tim Cook. Photo: Reuters

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

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

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

With worries over the Iran war driving down stock prices, the People’s Bank of China has named market stability as a ‘major task’ in 2026.

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

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?