Stocks in Asia surge on hope that China would launch more stimulus measures to support the slowing economy. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged to work to give the economy a strong start to achieve 2019 economic targets. There is no detail on the plan so far.
Li was quoted by State TV saying “we should strive for a good start in the first quarter to create conditions for completing the key full-year development targets and tasks.” And, “our country’s development environment is becoming more complex this year, there are more difficulties and challenges and the downward pressure on the economy is increasing,”
It’s reported that the Chinese government is planning to lower growth target to 6-6.5%, down from expected 6.6% in 2018.
US CPI slowed to 8.2% yoy in Sep, but core CPI rose to 6.6% yoy
US CPI rose 0.4% mom in September, above expectation of 0.2% mom. Core CPI (all item less food and energy) rose 0.6% mom, above expectation of 0.5% mom. Energy index dropped -2.1% mom, with gasoline down 4.9%. Food index rose 0.8% mom.
For the 12 months ending September, CPI slowed from 8.3% yoy to 8.2% yoy, above expectation of 8.1% yoy. Core CPI, on the other hand, accelerated from 6.3% yoy to 6.6% yoy, above expectation of 6.5% yoy. Energy index slowed from 23.8% yoy to 19.8% yoy. Food index was up 11.2% yoy.
Full release here.