The Week Ahead: Asia, week to 16 August 2026

Economies: the week just gone

Filipino Workers Satisfied With Pay, Still Eye Higher Wages, Relocation: A Jobstreet by SEEK survey reveals that while a majority of Filipino workers are satisfied with their current salaries, a significant portion still finds their earnings insufficient for living costs, driving a desire for greater compensation or international relocation.

Singapore PM Wong to Detail Family Support, Economic Outlook at NDR: Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will outline new government support for families and child-raising costs on 23 August. He also affirmed Singapore's economic resilience, citing strong growth in the first half of the year and stable labour markets. The government is reviewing family support and investing in AI and skills development.

Japan's June Current Account Deficit Breaks 17-Month Surplus Run: Japan's finance ministry reported its first current account deficit in 17 months for June. The 92.3 billion yen shortfall was driven by increased dividend payouts to foreign investors and higher oil import costs, contrasting with analyst forecasts for a surplus.

Karnataka Bandh Today: Banks Open Amid Water Dispute; India Faces August Holiday Disruptions: Karnataka observes a statewide strike today, August 13, 2026, over a water dispute. Banks and essential services will operate normally. Other Indian states face multiple bank closures throughout August.

India's Women Cash Transfers Reshape Household Spending: India's direct cash transfer schemes for women, active in over 15 states, demonstrate broader household financial effects beyond direct recipients, new research reveals.

Markets: the week just gone

Global Investors Shift Capital to Taiwan Equities, Away From Korea: Global investors are moving capital into Taiwanese equities and out of South Korean shares. This follows July's AI-related stock rout, with Taiwan showing steadier earnings prospects and greater diversification.

Prabhudas Lilladher's Parekh Sees Flat India Open, Names Three Stocks: Vaishali Parekh of Prabhudas Lilladher anticipates a flat opening for India's stock market on Thursday, 13 August 2026. This outlook stems from the Gift Nifty index oscillating near its prior day's close. Parekh also provided key support and resistance levels for the Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty indices.

SGX Profit Jumps 25 Percent as Singapore IPOs Burn Investors in FY2026: The Singapore Exchange (SGX) reported a 25 percent adjusted net profit increase for FY2026. This strong internal performance contrasts sharply with a struggling local equities market, where recent initial public offerings (IPOs) have led to immediate trading losses for investors.

US Dollar Gains on Gulf Tensions; Yen Weakens Ahead of BoJ Hike: The US dollar strengthened on Wednesday as Gulf tensions raised oil prices, increasing safe-haven demand. Markets await US inflation data for Federal Reserve policy clues. The yen softened despite intervention, with a Bank of Japan rate hike expected next month.

Manipal Health IPO Rises 13% on Debut; KKR Acquires Medicover India: India's private healthcare market shows significant activity. Manipal Health Enterprises debuted strongly, raising INR92.75 billion. KKR also acquired Medicover Hospitals India for €1.2 billion.

Banking & Fintech: the week just gone

India's Irdai Pitches Public Register for Insurance Seller Accountability: India's insurance regulator, Irdai, proposes a public register to identify individual policy sellers, aiming for greater accountability in mis-selling. However, an analyst suggests this approach overlooks systemic incentive issues.

FIS Launches Digital One Commercial to Unify APAC Bank Operations: Financial technology firm FIS has launched its Digital One Commercial banking platform across Asia-Pacific. This system allows banks to serve diverse business clients without replacing core technology, integrating multiple financial services.

Thailand Central Bank Steps Up Non-Bank Financial Scrutiny: Thailand's central bank will increase oversight of non-bank lending and payment services. This aims to protect consumers and prevent illicit financial transactions, Governor Vitai Ratanakorn stated.

Singapore Digital Banks: GLDB, Trust Bank Reach Profitability: Two of Singapore's five digital banks, GLDB and Trust Bank, achieved profitability in FY2025 and early 2026, according to the 2026 Singapore Digital Banking Report. Their success stems from distinct client-focused strategies.

HSBC Names Tsang, Zhang Co-CEOs for Insurance After Moncreiffe Exit: HSBC has reorganised its global insurance division, appointing two Asia-based executives as co-CEOs. This follows the unexpected resignation of former global insurance chief Edward Moncreiffe.

Industries: the week just gone

Singapore's City Plaza Seeks S$970 Million in Third Collective Sale Attempt: City Plaza owners in Singapore are pursuing a S$970 million collective sale. The Geylang site could be rezoned for residential use, and no additional buyer's stamp duty (ABSD) applies to the acquisition.

LinkCom July Revenue Dips Amid Component Shortages, Client Delays: Taiwanese magnetic components producer LinkCom Manufacturing reported lower July revenue compared to a year earlier. Tight supplies of key parts and client-requested schedule adjustments drove the decline.

Lucio and Susan Co Become Philippines' Fourth-Richest with Puregold Retail Empire: Lucio and Susan Co, founders of Puregold Price Club, now rank as the Philippines' fourth-richest individuals. Their US$3.3 billion net worth comes from a retail empire and diversified investments.

Zoom Expands AI Workplace Software in Singapore Amid Rising Office Returns: Zoom broadens its Singapore offerings beyond video calls, introducing AI-powered workplace tools. This shift responds to more employees returning to physical offices across the city-state.

Greenfiltec Posts H1 Loss Despite Revenue Growth: Taiwanese airborne molecular contamination (AMC) filter maker Greenfiltec recorded a NT$140 million net loss in first-half 2026. Revenue rose 18.35% to NT$311 million, but surging activated carbon costs offset gains from higher-end filter shipments.

Wealth: the week just gone

Bombay High Court Upholds Property Revocation for Neglectful Son: India's Bombay High Court affirmed a tribunal's order. A son must vacate properties gifted by his parents. He failed to provide elder care, breaching gift deed conditions.

HDFC Mid Cap Fund AUM Crosses ₹1 Lakh Crore; Investors Weigh Size: HDFC Mid Cap Fund's assets under management (AUM) reached ₹1 lakh crore this year, prompting investor debate on whether large funds can sustain returns. Wealth managers advise assessing fund management quality and specific metrics beyond AUM alone.

Hong Kong Affluent Prioritise Travel Over Property Ownership: Wealthy Hong Kong residents now rank travel above real estate as a life goal, allocating more spending to experiences rather than property acquisition, a Standard Chartered study reveals.

India Weighs UPI Fee for Mutual Funds; Investors Face Potential Costs: India's government may introduce a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions for mutual funds. This could increase costs for investors, with the impact varying by investment type and payment method.