GDP

Malaysia’s growth unexpectedly surges to 5.8% on exports

The forecast slowdown reflects weak consumer spending, a continuing housing market slump and declines in investment outside of favoured areas.

China’s growth seen weakening to bottom of official target range

Some economists upgraded their full-year growth forecasts to 8%, prompted by the industry and construction sector’s strong growth.

Vietnam 2026 GDP seen at 7.3%, CPI at 4.8%: Bloomberg survey

Without targeted acceleration, Vietnam’s full-year growth could reach only 8.7%, or fall closer to the World Bank’s more moderate 6.8% forecast.

Four wild cards stand between Vietnam and its 11.9% H2 growth target

The boost ​to growth from lower imports was partially offset by a sharp downgrade to consumer ⁠spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the economy.

US first-quarter GDP revised sharply higher; but consumer spending nearly stalls

As much as 90% of the crude oil supply of South-east Asian economies is imported from the Middle East, with much of it shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.

‘Very low chance’ that US-Iran deal reverts energy flows to South-east Asia through Hormuz: Bloomberg Economics

Profits from current production rose at a US$40.4 billion rate in the first quarter, a sharp slowdown from the US$246.9 billion growth pace in the fourth quarter.

US Q1 GDP growth revised lower to 1.6% pace

Growth was supported by a surge in exports and private consumption expenditure.

Hong Kong Q1 GDP expands 5.9% y/y

The prospects of energy shortages and usage restrictions may mean reorientation away from economic growth is happening out of necessity.
THE BOTTOM LINE

Is this the moment we change the way we think about economic growth?

Aramco's oil field in Saudi Arabia. The country's oil sector expanded 2.3% in Q1 2026, down from 10.8% the previous quarter.

Saudi economic growth slows as Iran war hits oil exports