Export growth is likely to slow in 2026 amid mixed global conditions and pressure on commodity prices, Kenanga Investment Bank said.
South Korea
South Korea will release March trade data on Wednesday, with export growth likely to accelerate on strong semiconductor shipments.
Economists in a Wall Street Journal poll expect exports to rise 42.9% on year, after a revised 28.7% increase in February. Imports are seen up 19.6%, resulting in a $19.4 billion trade surplus, wider than February's revised $15.38 billion.
Higher prices for chips and oil products, along with an extra working day, likely supported trade in March, Citigroup economist Jin-Wook Kim said.
Inflation data is due Thursday, with price pressures rising. ANZ economist Krystal Tan expects inflation to stay near 3% for much of 2026, citing higher oil prices and shipping costs linked to the Middle East conflict. Inflation matched the central bank's 2% target for a second straight month in February, before the conflict intensified.
Any references to days are in local times.
Write to Jessica Fleetham at jessica.fleetham@wsj.com and Jihye Lee at jihye.lee@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
03-29-26 1714ET
