Philippines Trade Data Due On Wednesday

(RTTNews) - The Philippines will on Wednesday release January figures for imports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

Imports are expected to fall 15.6 percent on year after tumbling 25.8 percent in December. The result is a projected trade deficit of $220 million - down from a $603 million surplus in the previous month.

Also, the central bank in the Philippines will wrap up its monetary policy meeting and announce its decision on interest rates; the bank is expected to keep its benchmark lending rate unchanged at 4.00 percent.

Australia will provide February figures for skilled vacancies; in January, vacancies were up 0.4 percent on month.

The central bank in Thailand will conclude its monetary policy meeting and give its decision on interest rates. The bank is widely tipped to keep its benchmark lending rate steady at 1.50 percent.

Malaysia will release February numbers for consumer prices, with forecasts suggesting a decline of 0.4 percent on month and an increase of 3.9 percent on year. That follows the 0.3 percent monthly decline and the 3.5 percent yearly gain in January.

Singapore will provide February data for consumer prices, with analysts looking for an increase of 0.3 percent on month and a decline of 0.4 percent on year. That follows the 0.2 percent contraction and the 0.6 percent fall on year in January.

Taiwan will see February numbers for industrial output, with forecasts suggesting a decline of 5.3 percent on year following the 5.65 percent contraction in January.