Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s trade balance recorded a deficit of HKD 89.1 billion in March, widening from the previous deficit of HKD 64.2 billion.
Hong Kong’s consumer prices were unchanged on a monthly basis in March, with CPI at 0.0%, down from a 0.5% increase in the previous period.

On an annual basis, inflation remained stable at 1.7% year-over-year, indicating steady but moderate price pressures.
Hong Kong’s manufacturing sector fell back into contraction in March.

The S&P Global Manufacturing PMI dropped to 49.3 from 53.3 previously, moving below the key 50 threshold.
Hong Kong’s trade balance showed a significantly larger deficit in February, coming in at HKD -64.2 billion compared to a previous deficit of HKD -14.1 billion.
Hong Kong unemployment rate improves slightly in February

Hong Kong’s unemployment rate edged down to 3.8% in February from 3.9% in the previous period, indicating a modest improvement in labor market conditions.
Hong Kong’s industrial production increased 5.7% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, slightly accelerating from 5.4% growth in the previous period, indicating continued expansion in the manufacturing sector.
Hong Kong’s manufacturing sector expanded at a faster pace in February, according to the latest S&P Global PMI data.

Actual: 53.3
Previous: 52.3
Hong Kong’s trade deficit narrowed to HKD 14.1 billion in January from HKD 63.3 billion previously, indicating a significant improvement in external trade conditions at the start of the year.
Hong Kong Q4 GDP came in fully in line with expectations.

YoY growth: 3.8% (consensus 3.8%, previous 3.7%)
QoQ growth: 1.0% (consensus 1.0%, previous 0.9%)
Hong Kong’s unemployment rate edged up to 3.9% in January, compared with 3.8% previously.