Data-packed week ahead amid more trade tension

THE coming week of Sept 3 to 7 is set to look anything but dull, with key Singapore data, regional central banks' policy announcements and the storm clouds of additional tariffs in the US-China trade war keeping investors and analysts busy.

Asian equity markets had mostly been led higher initially in the week before, guided by the relief rally in the US after an early breakthrough in the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) re-negotiation as well as tech-sector buoyancy, said IG's market strategist Pan Jingyi in a note to investors. However, most Asian markets ended the week lower.

"Although most regional indices held on to week-to-date gains when last checked, the weight from the concerns would likely remain key going into the fresh week," she wrote.