The Philippines’s headline CPI likely eased slightly to 1.6% on year in November, ANZ Research economists wrote. Continued rice price deflation should keep food inflation contained, while a modest rise in electricity tariffs is expected to lift utilities inflation marginally, they said.
Taiwan
Taiwan is scheduled to release consumer inflation data for November, which will be watched for signs that price pressures on the island remain subdued.
Though inflation picked up in October, it touched a four-year low in September and has been on a general downward trend over the past months, staying below the 2% level closely watched by the central bank.
The central bank expects full-year inflation to come in at 1.75%, down from 2.18% in 2024.
The government expects a cooler print too, having recently revised its 2025 CPI forecast to 1.67% from 1.76%. At the same time, it raised growth forecasts for the year amid easing trade tensions and strong export growth in the face of tariffs.
If November's CPI print signals a benign backdrop, that could shape market expectations of when the central bank will decide to start lowering interest rates.
Economists at ING expect CPI to moderate to 1.3% on year. But though inflation has remained below 2% since May, they reckon the central bank will remain on hold at its last meeting of the year in December amid stronger-than-expected economic growth.
South Korea
South Korea is scheduled to release trade and inflation data on Monday and Tuesday.
Export growth from Asia's fourth largest economy likely picked up in November amid brisk semiconductor demand. A Wall Street Journal poll of seven economists forecasts a 6.7% on-year increase in overseas shipments, up from a revised 3.5% rise in October.
Imports likely rose 2.9% on year, resulting in an estimated $8 billion trade surplus in November, compared with October's revised $6 billion surplus, the poll showed.
Semiconductors likely led export growth, with shipments of autos and car parts to the U.S. also rebounding after a U.S. tariff cut to 15% from 25% on most Korean goods, including vehicles, said Citi Research economist Jin-Wook Kim.
Headline inflation in November likely stayed above the central bank's 2.0% target for a third consecutive month. A WSJ poll of nine economists forecasts a 2.4% on-year CPI increase, unchanged from October.
Higher fuel costs likely added to inflationary pressure, amid rising oil-import prices and a weaker won, the economists say. On a monthly basis, CPI likely edged down 0.2% in November after a 0.3% gain in October, the poll showed. The Bank of Korea recently raised its 2025 inflation forecast to 2.1% from 2.0%.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is set to release October retail data on Monday. Investors will be watching for clues about consumer demand in Asia's financial hub.
Retail sales returned to growth in September after a prolonged slump, though sentiment is expected to be dented after a fire this week that killed at least 94 people in Hong Kong.
Any references to days are in local times.
Write to Jessica Fleetham at jessica.fleetham@wsj.com and Jihye Lee at jihye.lee@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 30, 2025 16:14 ET (21:14 GMT)
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