China to cap 2015 local government debt at $2.5 trillion: Xinhua

China's parliament approved on Saturday a cabinet plan to cap total outstanding local government debt at 16 trillion yuan ($2.5 trillion) this year, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

South Korea's Park Eyes China-Japan Summit After Kim Showdown

Having defused a military standoff with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, South Korean President Park Geun Hye is looking to improve ties with her other North Asian neighbors.

Japan government downgrades consumer spending, exports as economy stutters

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government lowered its assessment of consumer spending and exports in August, a worrying sign that the economy is seeing just a tepid recovery from a contraction in the April-June quarter.

China Company Bonds Seen Rising on PBOC Interest Rate, Ratio Cut

China’s corporate bonds are set to gain after the central bank eased monetary policy following the worst four-day stock rout since 1996, brokerages and analysts said.

Indian Rupee Climbs Most in 15 Months as Stocks, Bonds Rally

India’s rupee gained the most in more than a year as an emerging-market selloff abated and policy makers in India said the economy is sound enough to lure investors.

Emerging economies let currencies slide to stay competitive

The world's emerging economies are allowing their currencies to slide in a quest to remain competitive, following China's devaluation of the yuan and the dollar's strength in anticipation of US rate hikes.

Kazakh PM Sees Oil-Nation Currency Pegs Axed as Crude Falls

Currency pegs in crude-producing nations are set to topple as the world enters a “new era” of low oil prices, according to the prime minister of Kazakhstan, which rattled markets this week with a surprise decision to abandon control of its exchange rate.

Malaysia’s Reserves Extend Slump as Global Currency Rout Deepens

Malaysia’s foreign-exchange reserves extended their decline beyond $100 billion in a sign the central bank is still trying to slow Asia’s worst currency loss amid the drag from an emerging-market sell off.

India Wholesale Inflation at Record Low Adds Easing Pressure

India’s wholesale prices dropped more than estimated, in line with retail inflation, adding pressure on central bank Governor Raghuram Rajan to cut interest rates.

Singapore Says It’s Watching Housing Market Amid ‘Correction’

Singapore is closely watching the domestic housing market that’s in a correction phase amid the longest decline in 13 years, according to Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Japan economy seen shrinking in Q2 in setback for "Abenomics"

TOKYO, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Japan's economy likely shrank in April-June as exports slumped and consumers cut back on spending, a Reuters poll showed, boding ill for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy drive to lift the economy out of decades of deflation.

China lets yuan fall further, fuels fears of 'currency war'

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's currency fell to a four-year low on Wednesday, slumping for a second day, after a central bank devaluation on Tuesday, and government sources believe the yuan may be allowed to slide even further to help the country's exporters.

Alibaba Is Planning Its Comeback From the World’s Biggest Wipeout of Market Value

It took less than a year for Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to turn from a stock-market darling into the biggest source of shareholder losses worldwide.

Taiwan’s Bond Yields Fall to Two-Year Low on Easing Speculation

Taiwan’s bonds rose, pushing the 10-year yield to its lowest level since 2013, on speculation the central bank will cut interest rates to revive the economy.

Japan's nuclear regulator says no repeat of Fukushima under new safety rules - media

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's nuclear regulator said an accident on the scale of the 2011 Fukushima disaster would not occur under new safety rules imposed on reactors such as Kyushu Electric Power's Sendai No.1, set to be the first to restart since Fukushima, Japan's Nikkei business daily reported on Saturday.

China’s Secret Gold Hoarding Strategy

China’s recent stock market gyrations have some analysts now calling China the biggest bubble in history. But those who write off China because of market volatility are missing a more important long-term trend of Chinese geopolitical and monetary ascendancy.

Indonesia’s Economic Risk Persists as Growth Slides Further

Indonesia’s growth slowed for a second straight quarter, underlining the challenge for President Joko Widodo as he struggles to revitalize an economy expanding at the weakest pace since 2009.

China's huge factory sector is struggling

China's factories hit an unexpected speed bump in July, hiking concerns about slower growth in the world's second-largest economy.

China Car Sales Drop Flashes Yellow Light for Its Economy

When China’s economy was booming, motorists became a symbol of the nation’s new spending power. Now, falling car sales may be more a symbol of China’s steady deceleration.

Taiwan Q2 GDP growth unexpectedly slumps to 3-yr low as demand from China cools

TAIPEI, July 31 (Reuters) - Taiwan's economic growth slowed more sharply than expected to a three-year low in the second quarter, hurt by a collapse in exports as a slowdown in major market China chilled demand for its line of key technology products.

Malaysia PM Najib Razak sacks deputy over 1MDB scandal

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak has replaced his deputy amid a continuing financial scandal.

Japan’s Economy Shrank Last Quarter, Top Forecaster Says

The Japanese economy likely contracted last quarter, dragged down by weak consumer spending and a slump in exports, according to a top forecaster.

Russia created a credit rating agency, which is great for Russia because it'll ignore one key type of risk

Sick of getting downgraded, Russia is launching its own new rating company that will be immune to geopolitical risks.

China Answers Japan Oil Rig Concern With Joint-Development Offer

China repeated a call Friday for talks with Japan over joint development of gas and oil resources in contested waters in the East China Sea.

Mers outbreak cuts sharply into S Korea growth

South Korea's economic growth has been hit sharply by both the Mers outbreak and continued weak exports.

After China dumps gold, don't count on India to come to the rescue

MANILA/MUMBAI (Reuters) - Blame poor rains or a lack of weddings, but Indians, for whom gold is the investment of choice, aren't rushing to buy bullion after this week's sharp sell-off.

Hong Kong hopes to be finance hub for China's Silk Road push: Xinhua

Hong Kong could become the financing hub for companies connected with the so-called "One belt, One road" initiative to link Asia to Europe and Africa, the city's financial secretary John Tsang said in an interview with Xinhua, China's state news agency.

India, Brazil And Russia Less Vulnerable To U.S. Fed Hikes

Fitch ratings is taking a cue for the world’s biggest emerging market fund managers in saying this week that the big emerging markets are relatively safe from interest rate increases in the U.S. Fitch expects the Federal Reserve to start raising interest rates this year.

Could China Be the Next Japan?

It's a tale of two economies. On the same day that China surprised with better-than-expected GDP, Japan's central bank was forced to lower its growth outlook.

China May Tip World Into Recession: Morgan Stanley

Forget about all the shoes, toys and other exports. China may soon have another thing to offer the world: a recession.

Asia markets rally as Greek debt deal agreed

Hong Kong (AFP) - Asian markets rose Monday as European leaders said they had agreed a debt deal to keep Greece in the eurozone, while Shanghai advanced for a third straight session after witnessing fierce recent volatility.

14 countries are spiraling towards government debt crises

With its shuttered banks, furious public protests and iconoclastic politicians, the plight of Greece, brought to its knees by a crippling debt burden, has been gripping and heartbreaking in equal measure: a full-blown sovereign debt crisis on the doorstep of some of the wealthiest countries in the world.

India’s Factory Output Misses Estimates as Consumer Goods Fall

India’s factory output rose less than economists estimated, boosting pressure on policy makers to revive investment in Asia’s third-largest economy.

China shares: Regulator takes action after slide

China's regulators are taking fresh steps to try to quell volatility in the country's financial markets. Investors holding stakes of more than 5% are not allowed to sell shares in the next six months.

Japan MOF names Masatsugu Asakawa as top financial diplomat

TOKYO, July 7 (Reuters) - Japan's Ministry of Finance said international policy veteran Masatsugu Asakawa will become the country's top financial diplomat, whose tasks include coordinating with other nations and the IMF as well as arranging currency interventions.

India Rupee Falls Most in a Week as Stocks Drop After Greek Vote

India’s rupee declined the most in a week as the heightened risk of Greece’s exit from the euro spurred volatility and damped demand for emerging-market assets.

China hunts for "manipulators" as stocks tumble

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese stocks tumbled again on Friday, taking the week's losses to more than 10 percent, as the securities regulator said it was investigating suspected market manipulation and announced a slew of measures aimed at heading off a full-blown crash.

Japan’s Retail Traders Betting Yen Haven Surge Will Be Fleeting

Japan’s retail investors aren’t buying into the yen’s rally even as the Greek crisis spurs traditional haven flows into the Asian nation’s currency.

China June factory activity shrinks at slower pace, but job cuts mount - HSBC/Markit PMI

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s factory activity contracted for the fourth straight month in June but at a slower pace than in May, a private survey showed on Wednesday, offering signs that the economy may be slowly levelling out but is still in need of more support measures.

Why China Wants a Strong Euro as Greece Teeters

Chinese investment is pouring into Europe. It's one reason why Premier Li Keqiang, during a visit to Brussels this week, called for a strong euro and united Europe as the region grapples with the latest chapter in the Greek debt saga.

China Central Bank cuts interest rates for the 4th time since Nov

China’s central bank on Saturday cut benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.85 percent on Saturday, the fourth cut in recent months.

Toyota chief earned $2.84 million last year after bonus doubles

Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) President Akio Toyoda earned 352 million yen ($2.84 million) in total compensation last year after his bonus doubled to about $2 million, the Japanese company said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday.

China’s New Stock Exchange Might Help Companies but What about Investors?

AIPEI, Taiwan (TheStreet) -- Chinese officials have approved opening a new board to trade stocks of fast-growing and innovative companies, a move to make the most of high share prices but not necessarily one that helps offshore investors.

China, Japan factories slow to respond to stimulus

SYDNEY (Reuters) - China's mammoth manufacturing sector showed some tentative signs of stabilizing in June, according to a non-official survey, without finding the momentum needed for a lasting recovery in the world's second-largest economy.

Japan, China, South Korea consider autumn summit: Nikkei

China, Japan and South Korea are considering holding their first trilateral summit in three years, offering a potential stage for the first one-on-one meeting between Tokyo and Seoul's leaders, the Nikkei business daily reported on Saturday.

Singapore Buyers Desert London as Mortgage Rules Hit Home

Singapore investors are buying fewer mansions in London after mortgage changes in the island nation limit their ability to borrow.

China Builds Trust With Developing Nations While U.S. Spurns Them

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- China is helping other nations to cope with global capital flows, while the U.S. has turned its back on them.

China rushing to escape low-value manufacturing trap

Wu Zongjun used to be the face of China's growth miracle. Twenty years ago, armed with a third-grade education and not much else, he started the Yiwu Lianfa clothing factory, one of the legions of small manufacturers that made China the "Workshop of the World," helping lift 500 million people out of poverty.

India 'the new China' for smartphone makers

Just as China's long-insatiable appetite for smartphones wanes, India promises to be the next hot spot for explosive growth, a new report claims.

Indonesia's trade surplus increases in May

Indonesia's trade surplus grew to $950 million in May, official data showed Monday, as imports slid sharply in Southeast Asia's largest economy.It was the sixth straight month that Indonesia has recorded a trade surplus and the figure was about double that forecast by economists.

U.S. trade deal’s setback causes mixed reaction in Asia

TOKYO — The failure of a package of trade-related measures Friday in the House was a blow to President Obama, but it was also a blow to his ally, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, half a world away.

Kuroda Yen Warning Signals ‘Shock and Awe’ Phase May Be Over

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda’s missive that there’s no reason for the yen to drop further, now that it’s “very” weak, raises a potential hurdle to the additional monetary easing that economists have been projecting.

Indian Bonds Gain on Speculation Debt Redemptions to Aid Demand

Indian sovereign bonds rose, pushing the 10-year yield down from near a six-month high, on speculation funds released by maturing notes will boost demand for existing debt.

Chinese exports fall for a third month

Exports in the world's second largest economy, China, fell for a third consecutive month in May, highlighting slowing demand in the country.

South Korea's annual economic growth beats estimates

Growth in South Korea - Asia's fourth largest economy - marginally beat estimates and expanded 2.5% during the first three months of 2015 compared with a year earlier.

Why Japan Should, or Shouldn’t, Join the China-led AIIB: Q&A

When Japan’s finance minister meets his Chinese counterpart in Beijing on Saturday, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will loom large in the talks.

Bank Indonesia Relaxes FX Rules to Rein in Most-Volatile Rupiah

Bank Indonesia is relaxing rules on derivatives in an attempt to double their role in the onshore foreign-exchange market by 2020 and rein in swings in Asia’s most-volatile currency.

BOJ Shirai warns of risks to price outlook, sees no imminent easing

TSU, Japan (Reuters) - Bank of Japan board member Sayuri Shirai ruled out the chance of an imminent expansion of monetary stimulus, but warned of risks to the price outlook that will keep pressure on the central bank as it seeks to hit an ambitious inflation target.

India cuts interest rates for a third time this year

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cut interest rates for the third time this year to help boost growth in Asia's third largest economy.

Two Years Into the BOJ's Bold Bet: Here's What's Happening

Countless words have been written on the Bank of Japan's aggressive monetary policies under Governor Haruhiko Kuroda.

Philippines growth slows sharply in first quarter

Growth in the Philippine economy slowed in the first quarter of the year to its weakest annual pace since 2011, official figures showed.

Rupee Return Seen Best in Emerging Markets as Growth Beats China

The rupee’s retreat this quarter hasn’t dented forecasts for returns in the high-yielding currency as India overtakes China as the world’s fastest-growing economy.

Chinese local governments agree to settle bills after being sued

A Chinese infrastructure tycoon who is suing local governments for allegedly failing to pay their construction bills said on Monday that he had reached settlement agreements totaling about Rmb700 million ($113 million).

Asian Currencies Post Weekly Loss as Fed Rate Bets Boost Dollar

Asian currencies completed a weekly loss, led by the Singapore dollar and Malaysia’s ringgit, as the U.S. dollar climbed amid speculation the Federal Reserve is on track to raise interest rates this year.

BOJ slightly more upbeat on economy, Kuroda sees no need for more easing

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan offered a slightly more upbeat view of the economy on Friday and its governor shrugged off the need for more monetary stimulus, dismissing market concerns that the recovery is too slow to accelerate inflation toward the bank's target.

China's factory activity contracts for third month

China's manufacturing sector contracted for a third straight month in May as output shrank at the fastest rate in a year, a private survey showed on Thursday.

Aussies Most Confident in 16 Months After Budget, RBA Rate Cut

Australians are the most confident they’ve been since January 2014 after the central bank cut interest rates and the government announced a A$10 billion ($7.9 billion) boost for families and small businesses.

Japan's economy grows faster than expected

Japan's economy staged an encouraging comeback in the first quarter, expanding at its fastest pace in a year, data showed on Wednesday.

Why Russia fears an Iran nuclear deal

Immediately after six world powers, including Russia, reached an interim deal with Iran on curbing its nuclear program, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree lifting a ban on the delivery of S-300 anti-missile rocket systems and Moscow announced the start of an oil-for-goods swap with Iran.

Has Japan Emerged from the Lost Decade(s)?

Let’s look now at Japan’s inflation, one of the prime factors that forced Japan to undertake unprecedented monetary policy measures.

China Shares Fall Most in Asia on Concern IPOs to Drain Funds

Chinese stocks fell, paring a weekly gain, on concern new share sales will lure funds from existing equities and sluggish economic growth will hurt earnings. Energy and utility stocks led losses as nine out of 10 industry groups on the CSI 300 Index slid.

Pacific trade deal or no, Japan eyes US gas riches

The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal could accelerate and expand energy US-Japan energy trade as Japan looks to fill a gap left by a nuclear power ban.