Economic Overview - The overall local GDP in Hong Kong for Q2 2025 increased by 3.1% compared to the same period last year, slightly up from a 3.0% increase in Q1 2025 [1] Service Industry Analysis - The total value added by all service activities rose by 3.4% in Q2 2025, compared to a 2.5% increase in Q1 2025 [1] - The value added by import and export trade, wholesale, and retail industries increased by 6.1% in Q2 2025, up from a 4.2% increase in Q1 2025 [1] - The accommodation and food services sector saw a decline of 1.8% in value added in Q2 2025, consistent with a similar decline in Q1 2025 [1] - The transportation, warehousing, postal, and courier services sector increased by 5.6% in Q2 2025, compared to a 2.6% increase in Q1 2025 [1] - The information and communications sector's value added rose by 1.1% in Q2 2025, remaining stable compared to Q1 2025 [1] Financial and Professional Services - The financial and insurance sector's value added increased by 5.3% in Q2 2025, up from a 4.2% increase in Q1 2025 [2] - The real estate, professional, and business services sector recorded a slight decline of 0.2% in Q2 2025, an improvement from a 0.5% decline in Q1 2025 [2] - The public administration, social, and personal services sector increased by 2.2% in Q2 2025, compared to a 1.7% increase in Q1 2025 [2] Manufacturing and Utilities - The local manufacturing sector's value added rose by 0.9% in Q2 2025, compared to a 0.7% increase in Q1 2025 [2] - The electricity, gas, water supply, and waste management sector saw a 0.2% increase in value added in Q2 2025, recovering from a 1.3% decline in Q1 2025 [2] Construction Industry - The construction sector experienced a decline of 8.7% in value added in Q2 2025, following a 4.9% decline in Q1 2025 [3]

Economic Overview - The latest data indicates that the US economy is facing increasing risks of stagflation, with the services PMI almost stagnating and the manufacturing PMI dropping to a near one-year low, suggesting a complex situation of slowing economic activity and persistent inflation pressures [1][4] Services Sector - In July, the services PMI fell from 50.8 in June to 50.1, significantly below the market expectation of 51.5, indicating that the expansion pace of the services sector has nearly halted [2] - The services price index rose from 67.5 in June to 69.9 in July, approaching levels seen at the end of 2022, reflecting ongoing inflation pressures in the services sector due to tariffs and immigration policies [2] - The employment index decreased from 47.2 to 46.4, indicating a contraction in hiring levels and a weakening job market [2] Manufacturing Sector - The manufacturing PMI declined from 49 in June to 48 in July, falling short of the market expectation of 49.5, further exacerbating the contraction trend [3] - Although the output index showed an acceleration in expansion, the new orders index slightly rebounded but remained in the contraction zone, with employment contraction reaching a near one-year high [3] - The price index decreased from 69.7 to 64.8, indicating a slowdown in inflation pressure, yet it remains significantly above the post-pandemic average [3] Federal Reserve Policy - The PMI data reveals stagflation risks, presenting the Federal Reserve with a challenging policy decision in the third quarter, balancing a weakening job market against rising inflation due to tariffs [4] - Market expectations suggest that the Federal Reserve may maintain interest rates in September but could lower rates in October and December, with year-end policy rates projected to drop to 3.75%-4% [4] - The current economic conditions, characterized by slowing growth and a pressured job market alongside persistent inflation, complicate the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path [4]

Core Insights - The average wage rate in Hong Kong increased by 3.5% year-on-year in March 2025, with approximately 62% of companies reporting wage increases, while 34% experienced declines [1][2] - After adjusting for inflation, the real average wage rate rose by 1.6% in March 2025 [1][2] - The nominal average salary index for employed individuals increased by 3.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, with a real increase of 1.6% after accounting for inflation [1][2] Industry Changes - All selected industry categories recorded year-on-year increases in nominal wage indices ranging from 3.1% to 4.1% in March 2025 [2] - Real wage indices across all selected industries also saw year-on-year increases, varying from 1.1% to 2.1% in March 2025 [2] - The nominal average salary index for all selected industries in the first quarter of 2025 increased between 2.0% and 3.9% year-on-year, while real average salary indices rose between 0.4% and 2.3% [2] Wage Index Data - The nominal wage index for the manufacturing sector was +3.2% in March 2025, with a real increase of +1.2% [3] - The wholesale and retail trade sector recorded a nominal increase of +3.1% and a real increase of +1.1% [3] - The transportation sector saw a nominal increase of +3.5% and a real increase of +1.5% [3] - The accommodation and food services sector had a nominal increase of +3.8% and a real increase of +1.8% [3] - The financial and insurance activities sector recorded a nominal increase of +4.0% and a real increase of +2.0% [3] - The real wage index for professional and business services was +2.1% with a nominal increase of +4.1% [3] - The personal services sector experienced a nominal increase of +3.9% and a real increase of +1.9% [3]

Core Insights - In April 2023, South Korea experienced a simultaneous decline in industrial production, consumption, and investment for the first time since January, indicating a concerning trend in the economy [1] Group 1: Industrial Production - The overall industrial production index for South Korea in April was 113.5, reflecting a month-on-month decrease of 0.8% [1] - Automotive production decreased by 4.2%, marking the first decline since November 2022, attributed to the impact of the 25% tariffs imposed by the U.S. starting April 3 [1] - Semiconductor production also saw a decline of 2.9%, highlighting vulnerabilities in key sectors due to external trade policies [1] Group 2: Domestic Demand Indicators - Service sector production fell by 0.1%, with notable declines in professional, scientific, and technical services by 3.6%, and financial and insurance services by 1.2% [1] - Retail sales decreased by 0.9%, indicating weakening consumer demand [1] Group 3: Investment Trends - Investment in semiconductor manufacturing machinery and other machinery decreased by 4.5%, while overall equipment investment fell by 0.4% [1] - Construction investment also showed a downward trend, with completion value declining by 0.7% for two consecutive months [1]