Weak Industrial Output Bodes Ill for Japan

TOKYO—Painting a dismal picture of the outlook for the world's third-largest economy, weak industrial production figures release by Japan suggest an overseas slowdown may be choking the nation's exports.

China's official PMI seen hitting 9-month low in August

BEIJING: China's official manufacturing managers' index (PMI) may have eased to a 9-month low of 50 in August, supporting the case for fresh easing measures by the central bank as the world's second-largest economy struggles against stiff global headwinds.

A Youthful Populace Helps Make the Philippines an Economic Bright Spot in Asia

MANILA — In the upscale business district of Manila, a midweek crowd spills out into the street.The New York-themed Borough restaurant is pulsating to the beat of a Bon Jovi song, while young, hip Filipinos take shots of tequila from a passing tray and sing in unison.

Moody's Gives South Korea a Vote of Confidence

BEIJING — South Korea’s sovereign debt rating was raised by Moody’s Investors Service on Monday to a level on par with Japan’s in recognition of a strengthened resilience to crises.

India sets up investment panel as FDI slumps 78% in June

India's government on Friday set up a panel to suggest ways to improve the climate for doing business in the country as figures showed foreign direct investment in India slid by 78 percent in June.

Japan hints at South Korean bond buying freeze

Japan hinted Friday it could freeze its plan to buy South Korean government bonds as a deepening diplomatic rift over disputed islands threatened to spill over into economic ties.

Vietnam markets lose $4 bn after bankers' arrests

Vietnam's stock markets have lost nearly $4.0 billion in value after two top bankers were arrested this week in a widening police probe into the banking sector, state media said Friday.

World Stocks Rise on Hopes of US, China Stimulus

Stock markets rose Thursday on hopes that more help for the global economy is on the way, after minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve showed policy makers favor further stimulus and poor manufacturing data out of China fueled speculation that Beijing will take more action to boost its economy.

China cut red tape to quicken investment

BEIJING: China has cleaned up red tape to quicken investment in the real economy by small firms and the private sector, and allowed the southern province of Guangdong to go ahead with a pilot scheme to further reduce government interference in the economy, the State Council said on Wednesday.

Indian economy to grow 6.7%: govt panel

India's economy will grow 6.7 percent in the current fiscal year, an advisory panel to the prime minister forecast on Friday, saying that an ongoing slowdown was of "great concern".

Singapore exports rise in July amid boost from Asia

Sinagpore's non-oil exports jumped in July as robust demand from Asia helped offset a decline in shipments to Western economies.

Indonesia aims to tighten deficit in 2013 budget

Indonesia's president vowed Thursday to slash the nation's budget deficit to 1.6 percent in 2013, unveiling a draft spending plan to maintain the economy's resilience to uncertain global conditions.

South Korea jails Hanwha head Kim Seung-youn

A South Korean court has sentenced Kim Seung-youn, chairman of the Hanwha group, to four years in prison for embezzlement.

China's Wen says economy still under pressure

(Reuters) - China's economy faces big headwinds though cooling inflation is giving the government more leeway to maneuver monetary policy, Premier Wen Jiabao was quoted by state media as saying on Wednesday.

China signals strong support for decaying North Korea economy

BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Tuesday promised to help major firms invest in impoverished neighbor North Korea, signaling strong support for the North's untried young leader just as he is believed to be planning reforms to his country's broken economy.

Japan Growth May Slow to Half Previous Pace as Exports Wane

Japan’s economy probably grew last quarter at half the pace of the previous three months, a slowdown analysts predict is deepening as Europe’s debt crisis and the yen’s gains erode exports.

India PM sees better GDP growth amid rising downgrades

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expects a better performance from the economy this fiscal year even as private economists cut growth forecasts for Asia's third largest economy, citing a drought and policy gridlock.

Hong Kong's economy shrinks in 2nd quarter: official

Hong Kong's economy shrank 0.1 percent in the second quarter due to weak exports amid slowing growth in the global economy, the government said Friday.

Chinese inflation hits fresh 2-1/2 year low

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Prices continued to decline in China last month, clearing the way for the country to ramp up its stimulus efforts.

Markets ease ahead of Chinese data

LONDON (AP) — Markets gave up some recent gains Wednesday after more downbeat European economic news and ahead of a raft of Chinese data that will shed light on the state of the world's second-largest economy.

Vietnam to Ease Rules to Lure Stock Investors: Southeast Asia

Vietnam (VNINDEX) plans to ease rules on equity trading and accelerate initial public offerings of state-owned companies this year to attract investors to a market that’s valued about 15 times less than Singapore’s.

Indonesia Surprises With Surge in Economy

JAKARTA — Indonesia’s economic growth surprisingly picked up in the second quarter of this year, fueled by easy credit and strong domestic demand, a sign that Southeast Asia remained resilient amid the global slowdown.

China to speed-up fine tuning of monetary policy

China's central bank has pledged to intensify its monetary policy fine-tuning in the second half of this year and improve credit policy to bolster the real economy.

Drought delivers fresh blow to reeling Indian economy

MUMBAI (Reuters) - A summer drought makes a bad situation worse for an Indian economy already crippled by a sharp slowdown in growth, persistent inflation and a politically hamstrung government.

Japan Widens Inquiry Into Insider Trading

TOKYO — A government investigation into insider trading in Japan has extended onto the trading floors of some of the largest Wall Street companies, including Goldman Sachs, UBS and Deutsche Bank.

China central bank vows to ensure steady credit growth

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's central bank on Thursday pledged to guarantee steady expansion in money supply and credit to cushion the world's second-largest economy against stiff global headwinds.

South Korea inflation at 1.5% moderating to 12-year low

Inflation in South Korea has moderated to a 12-year low, paving the pay for authorities to boost growth as exports and manufacturing data disappoints.

Taiwan's growth is downgraded as its economy contracts

Taiwan's economy contracted in the three months to the end of June, as the global slowdown weighed on export-dependent countries.