Adding money to the low-income card rejected. The government nixed the suggestion to add more money to top up the old one to Bt700-800 per month since it is afraid of being deemed as an association for big players in the commerce industry. (Thairath, 18/10/17)
Industry sector confidence increasing to reach 6-month high. F.T.I reports September Thai Industries Sentiment Index of 86.7, increasing from 85 in August, the second monthly increase and the highest since April 2017, backed by the improving growth outlook in the export sector and recovery in domestic purchasing power. (Matichon, 18/10/17)
September exports roar to record high. Exports rose for a seventh straight month in September, surging 12.2% year-on-year to a record-high US$21.8 billion (722.4 trillion baht), as demand increased in all traditional and emerging markets, says Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn. (Bangkok Post, 20/10/17)
Inflation target left untouched. The Bank of Thailand will maintain its inflation target band of 1-4% for next year on expectations that inflation will fall back to the lower band by mid-2018, says governor Veerathai Santiprabhob. (Bangkok Post, 20/10/17)
Private sectors are hopeful for election in November 2018 and low-income cards. They expect low-income cards and election in November 2018 will be able to boost the money to the economy, supporting the 2018 GDP by 0.5-1%. (Thai Rath, 20/10/17)
China’s producer price index crushes expectations. China’s consumer price index rose 1.6 percent in September from a year ago, meeting expectations, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday. Meanwhile, the producer price index jumped 6.9 percent in September from a year ago, which topped expectations. This was spurred by a year-long drive in construction spending that includes government-led infrastructure investment. (CNBC, 17/10/17)
China reports 6.8% third-quarter GDP growth, meeting expectations. China reported third-quarter growth data Thursday that met expectations, but was a tad lower than the second quarter’s 6.9 percent expansion. The country’s National Bureau of Statistics said its third-quarter GDP growth was 6.8 percent compared to the same period last year, a day after President Xi Jinping made big promises for the country’s economic future during a pivotal leadership meeting. (CNBC, 20/10/17)
China Sept industrial output, retail sales beat expectations, investment growth slows. China’s industrial output rose 6.6 percent in September from a year earlier, faster than expected, while fixed-asset investment expanded 7.5 percent in the first nine months of the year, missing forecasts, data showed on Thursday. (Reuters, 20/10/17)
US weekly jobless claims total 243,000, vs 251,000 expected. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell to more than a one-month low last week as claims in Texas and Florida continued to decline after being boosted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits decreased 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 243,000 for the week ended Oct. 7, the lowest level since late August, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Data for the prior week was revised to show 2,000 fewer applications received than previously reported. (CNBC, 10/9/17)
US retail sales rose 1.6% in Sept, vs 1.7% increase expected. U.S. retail sales were lower than expected in September but recovered from the prior month’s 0.2 percent slide. The Commerce Department said on Friday retail sales rose 1.6 percent, less than the 1.7 percent economists polled by Reuters expected. It was the biggest increase in 2 1/2 years. (CNBC, 10/9/17
