Debt Ceiling Negotiations Conclude Without Agreement between President Biden and House Speaker McCarthy
In a recent round of negotiations, US President Joe Biden and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy engaged in discussions to raise the debt ceiling. The negotiations, which concluded this morning (May 23) in Thai time, were described as constructive by Mr. McCarthy. However, both parties were unable to reach an agreement on raising the debt ceiling.
Japan’s Manufacturing and Service Sectors Show Signs of Recovery
Today’s release of a survey indicates a positive trend in Japan’s economy. The manufacturing activity expanded for the first time in seven months during May, while the service sector experienced a record-high expansion.
Korea’s Consumer Sentiment Index Reaches One-Year High
The Bank of Korea (BOK) announced today that Korea’s Composite Consumer Sentiment Index (CCSI) for May 2023 has reached a one-year high of 98.0, surpassing analysts’ expectations of 93.4. This increase in consumer sentiment reflects positive sentiment in the country’s economic outlook.
US Treasury Warns of Potential Debt Default
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen issued a third warning letter to Congress on May 22, highlighting the increasing likelihood of a government debt default if the $31.4 trillion US debt ceiling is not raised before June 1. This potential default would be unprecedented in history and has significant implications for the country’s financial stability.
TikTok Files Lawsuit Against Montana Over Service Ban
TikTok Inc., a subsidiary of the Chinese company Byte Dance, has filed a lawsuit against the US state of Montana. This comes in response to Montana’s legislation banning TikTok from providing services within the state starting from January 1, 2024.
JPMorgan CEO Expresses Concerns over Banking Sector
During an investor meeting on May 22, JPMorgan Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon highlighted the recent bankruptcies of three US banks and expressed concern over the commercial real estate market. Dimon emphasized that the commercial real estate sector could potentially become another source of problems for the banking industry.
Hong Kong Inflation Exceeds Analysts’ Expectations
In April, Hong Kong experienced a year-on-year inflation increase of 2.1%, surpassing the expected 2% rise projected by analysts in a Reuters poll. This inflation rate also outpaced the 1.7% increase recorded in March, indicating growing price pressures in the region.
South Korea Sees Record High Decrease in Household Debt
The Bank of Korea (BOK) reported on Monday (May 23) that household debt in South Korea witnessed a record high decrease during the first quarter. This decline is attributed to rising interest rates, which have put pressure on loan demand, leading to a decrease in household borrowing.
Cambodia Witnesses Surge in Foreign Tourists
According to a report released today (May 23) by the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia attracted 1.29 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of 2023. This marks a remarkable 709% increase compared to the same period last year, highlighting the country’s growing popularity as a tourist destination.
Eurozone Manufacturing and Services Sectors Experience Downturn
The Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB) released its Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the Eurozone, which includes preliminary data on the manufacturing and services sectors. The PMI dropped to 53.3 in May from 54.1 in April, indicating a slight downturn in economic activity within the region.