South Korea's industrial output grew 2.6% in Q1 2026, led by semiconductors and machinery. Service output rose 4%, with strong retail sales in Incheon and Jeju. Exports from Gyeonggi and South Chungcheong provinces saw significant gains.
China's economy showed signs of weakness in April, with retail sales, industrial output, and investment growth missing expectations. While strong exports provided some buffer, domestic demand remains a concern. The property sector continues to drag on investment, and global factors like the Iran conflict are impacting energy markets and commodity costs.
China's April economic data missed expectations, with retail sales, industrial output, and investment growth slowing. Exports surged due to global stockpiling amid the Iran war, while imports also rose strongly. The US and China agreed to trade deals and investment boards.
South Korea's industrial output, retail sales, and facility investment all rose month-on-month in March, marking the first time since last September all three indicators posted growth. Industrial production edged up 0.3%, retail sales climbed 1.8%, and facility investment increased 1.5%, though semiconductor production fell 8.1% and refined petroleum products dropped 6.3% due to Middle East conflict impact.
South Korea's industrial output, retail sales, and facility investment all rose month-on-month in March, marking the first simultaneous growth in all three indicators since September. Industrial production edged up 0.3%, retail sales climbed 1.8%, and facility investment increased 1.5%. Semiconductor production fell 8.1% despite AI-driven global demand growth, while automobile and transportation equipment sectors drove overall manufacturing gains.
South Korea's key economic indicators showed positive momentum in March, with industrial output rising 0.3 percent, retail sales climbing 1.8 percent, and facility investment increasing 1.5 percent, all month-on-month gains, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
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India's Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) contracted 0.4% year-on-year in March 2026, the weakest performance in nearly two years, reversing from 2.8% growth in February. The decline was driven by sharp drops in fertilisers (-24.6%), crude oil (-5.7%), coal (-4.0%) and electricity (-0.5%). Natural gas (+6.4%), steel and cement provided some support. For the full financial year 2025-26, ICI grew 2.6%, with steel (9.1%) and cement (8.6%) leading cumulative growth.
