By Gina Lee
Investing.com – S&P Global Ratings warned in a report that unemployment rates could rise well over 3 percentage points as the number of jobs shrinks.
The People’s Bank of China cut its one-year rate to 3.85% and its five-year rate to 4.65%, its second cut in 2020.
Japan attempts to pass an increased economic stimulus package, and New Zealand reported a better-than-expected consumer price index.
Asia Pacific
A S&P Global Ratings report warned that unemployment rates in Asia-Pacific could soar well over 3 percentage point as social distancing measures slashes job creation.
“Surging unemployment in Asia-Pacific would mean a shallower recovery once the pandemic is contained and, in some economies, credit stress for leveraged households. Historical data show that jobs lost are not easily won back,” Shaun Roache, S&P Global Ratings Asia-Pacific chief economist, said.
China’s central bank cut its one-year rate to 3.85% from 4.05%. The People’s Bank of China also cut its five-year rate to 4.65% from 4.75%.
This is the second time this year that the PBOC has cut its rate so far this year.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aims to pass a JPY 117.1 trillion ($1.088 trillion) economic stimulus package.
The package was boosted from JPY 108.2 trillion by expanding cash payouts.
New Zealand announced a quarter on quarter consumer price index of 0.8% for the first quarter of 2020. This exceeded analyst forecasts of 0.4% prepared by Investing.com.
The country will also announce whether to extend or loosen its lockdown later in the day.