KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) — CIMB Treasury and Markets Research has revised its second-half 2026 (2H 2026) gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to 4.1 per cent and raised its full-year 2026 projection to 4.8 per cent from 4.3 per cent, tracking a stronger outturn in the second quarter (2Q) of 2026. The research house said the revision was driven primarily by the electrical and electronics (E&E) manufacturing outlook, which it now expects to expand 15.4 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in 2026. “Even so, we continue to expect overall growth to moderate to 4.1 per cent in 2H 2026 (1H […]

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s stronger-than-expected second quarter (2Q) economic growth has prompted Public Investment Bank Bhd (PublicInvest) to raise its 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to 5.4 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) from 4.6 per cent. In a note today, PublicInvest said this follows the six per cent y-o-y expansion in 2Q 2026, which lifted the first half of 2026’s (1H 2026) growth to 5.7 per cent y-o-y. It said the 2.5 per cent quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted expansion also points to firmer sequential momentum entering 2H 2026. “We now expect growth to remain relatively firm at around […]

Ministry of Finance Chief Economist Dr Shmuel Abramson reduced Israel's 2026 GDP growth forecast from 5.2% to 4.7%.

IMF lowers Pakistan’s GDP growth forecast to 3%, citing slow exports and reliance on remittances and foreign aid.

: The Reserve Bank of India has revised its GDP growth forecast for 2024-25 to 6.6%, down from 7.2%. Governor Shaktikanta Das explains the decision, highlighting the slowdown in industrial growth and ...

Investing.com -- Japan’s Cabinet Office plans to reduce its fiscal 2025 gross domestic product real growth rate forecast from the approximately 1.2% projected in January, according to a Tuesday report by the Nikkei business daily. The downward revision will account for the impact of U.S. tariff policies on the Japanese economy, though the new forecast figure was not specified in the report. Despite the growth outlook reduction, Japan’s government indicated that its primary budget surplus for fiscal year 2026, which begins in April next year, will exceed its January projection of about 2.2 trillion yen ($14.94 billion). The improved budget outlook is attributed to increased tax revenue, though the government did not provide a specific new estimate. For the current fiscal year ending in March 2026, the Japanese government still projects a deficit, but it is expected to be narrower than the 4.5 trillion yen deficit forecast published in January, according to the Nikkei report. This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C. With valuations skyrocketing in 2024, many investors are uneasy putting more money into stocks. Unsure where to invest next? Get access to our proven portfolios and discover high-potential opportunities. In 2024 alone, ProPicks AI identified 2 stocks that surged over 150%, 4 additional stocks that leaped over 30%, and 3 more that climbed over 25%. That's an impressive track record. With portfolios tailored for Dow stocks, S&P stocks, Tech stocks, and Mid Cap stocks, you can explore various wealth-building strategies.

Investing.com-- China’s economy showed unexpected resilience in the first half of 2025, prompting ANZ analysts to raise their full-year growth forecast while cautioning that deflation and external headwinds remain key risks. The upgrade comes after stronger-than-expected exports and domestic consumption helped offset persistent weakness in the property sector, ANZ analysts said in a note. ANZ now expects China’s real GDP to grow 5.1% in 2025, up from a previous estimate of 4.2%, citing a robust first-half expansion of 5.3%. Exports during the first six months surged 5.9% year-on-year, contributing 1.7 percentage points to growth, while retail sales climbed 5.2%, aided by rebounding tourism, analysts noted. However, nominal GDP growth of just 3.9% underscores lingering deflationary pressures, with CPI and PPI remaining in negative territory, they said. The property downturn continues to weigh, though ANZ notes its drag has lessened, with new home sales declining just 5.2% in H1, a marked improvement from a 17.6% drop in 2024. ANZ anticipates a 20bp interest rate cut and sustained fiscal stimulus, with over 10 trillion yuan in unused budget deficit capacity. For 2026, ANZ revised GDP growth up to 4.8%, citing gradual rebalancing toward consumption. Yet structural challenges persist, analysts added, warning that supply-side reforms alone may not revive demand. The report highlighted the Politburo’s July meeting as a potential catalyst for clearer policy direction. With valuations skyrocketing in 2024, many investors are uneasy putting more money into stocks. Unsure where to invest next? Get access to our proven portfolios and discover high-potential opportunities. In 2024 alone, ProPicks AI identified 2 stocks that surged over 150%, 4 additional stocks that leaped over 30%, and 3 more that climbed over 25%. That's an impressive track record. With portfolios tailored for Dow stocks, S&P stocks, Tech stocks, and Mid Cap stocks, you can explore various wealth-building strategies.

By Marcela Ayres BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil’s central bank projected on Thursday that inflation will hover near the official goal by the end of 2027, as it trimmed its estimates for this year and next in its quarterly monetary policy report. After projecting earlier this month annual inflation at 3.6% for 2026, the relevant horizon for current policy decisions, policymakers unveiled a 3.2% forecast for the fourth quarter of 2027, the final period covered by the report. The bank targets inflation at 3%, with a tolerance band of 1.5 percentage points in either direction. Last week, it raised interest rates by 25 basis points to a near two-decade high of 15%, signaling a "very prolonged pause" in its action to curb consumer prices. Despite an aggressive tightening cycle launched in September that has lifted the benchmark Selic rate by 450 basis points, Latin America’s largest economy remains resilient. In the report, the central bank raised its 2025 GDP growth forecast to 2.1% from 1.9% in March, citing stronger than expected labor market conditions early in the second quarter and some boost to consumption and activity from recent changes to payroll-deductible loans for private sector workers. Still, policymakers stressed they maintained expectations for a slowdown in economic activity over the current quarter and the second half of the year. "This expected moderation stems from the continuation of a restrictive monetary policy, limited slack in production factors, prospects of slower global growth, and a decline in the agricultural boost seen in the first quarter," they said. "Among the factors pushing inflation higher are stronger-than-expected economic activity, while downward pressures include currency appreciation and falling oil prices," policymakers wrote.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Economists have lowered their forecasts for Singapore’s growth and inflation this year and are expecting a further easing of monetary policy next month, a survey of forecasters by the Monetary Authority of Singapore showed on Wednesday. Geopolitical tensions were seen as the biggest downside risks for the economy, while milder-than-expected or an easing of trade tensions was the most cited upside risk, the responses from 20 economists for the June quarter survey found. The median forecast for growth was cut to 1.7% from 2.6% in the March quarter survey. In April, the government lowered its forecast for 2025 growth to 0% to 2%, citing the impact of U.S. tariffs. Almost three in five respondents expect the central bank to further ease monetary policy settings at a review next month, the survey found. The MAS loosened monetary policy in January and April on the back of expected slower inflation and growth this year. The median forecasts for headline inflation and core inflation for 2025 were lowered to 0.9% and 0.8% respectively, the survey showed. At its April policy review, the MAS forecast lowered its forecast for core inflation to 0.5% to 1.5% in 2025. In March, the annual core inflation rate was 0.5%, the lowest rate in more than three years. The survey was sent out to respondents on May 22, the same day final first-quarter GDP data was released.

Investing.com-- Citi slashed its outlook for Japanese economic growth in 2025, citing the impact of increased U.S. trade tariffs, with the Bank of Japan also no longer expected to raise interest rates this year. Citi said it expects Japan’s gross domestic product to grow 0.9% in 2025, down from prior forecasts of 1.4%, while 2026 GDP is expected at 0.8%, down from a prior forecast of 1.1%. Citi said that it now expects the BOJ to only hike interest rates by March 2026, compared to prior expectations for a June 2025 cut, although the BOJ’s terminal rate is expected to remain at 1.5%. The investment bank cited heightened economic ructions from U.S. President Donald Trump’s increased trade tariffs. While Trump’s 24% tariff on Japan was postponed by 90 days, his 10% universal tariff, coupled with a 25% automobile tariff and “exceptionally high” tariffs on China set the stage for more economic headwinds in the coming months. Japan will be directly affected by a drop in export demand, Citi said. But pressure on the global economy, especially China, and an ensuing slowdown in capital spending will also dampen growth. Still, Citi said it did not expect a Japanese recession, with personal consumption expected to remain strong on another round of bumper spring wage hikes. Citi also still expects Japanese core consumer price index inflation to rise 2.5% in 2025. Trump’s tariff plans ramped up uncertainty over the global economy. While the U.S. President postponed his reciprocal tariff plans by 90 days, he proceeded with higher tariffs on China- at a staggering 145%. China retaliated with its own measures, marking the start of a renewed trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Japan has large export exposure to both countries, and is likely to face slowing demand and potential supply chain disruptions as the trade war worsens.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Continued tariff escalation between the United States and China presents a downside risk to a 2025 full-year real GDP forecast of 4.5% for China, Goldman Sachs said in a note. Goldman said an escalating tariff spat between two of the largest economies in the world also points to significant policy easing by Chinese government in the coming months to mitigate impact and stabilise growth. But there is incremental impact on China’s GDP from another 50% tariff that U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened against Chinese goods if it does not withdraw its 34% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, Goldman said in its late Tuesday note.

The Swiss economy derives its growth primarily from breadth rather than depth. Employment trends and net immigration remain the key drivers, according to Raiffeisen's semi-annual economic forecast.