Week Ahead for FX, Bonds: Fed Minutes in Focus as -2-

Taiwan is due to release September inflation and trade data. Annual consumer-price inflation likely remained above 2%, supported by a rebound in global energy prices and resilient domestic demand. Economists say that the earlier arrival of the Mid-Autumn Festival this year also likely boosted food and services prices.

Exports, led by technology hardware makers, likely remained robust in September, with economists estimating growth of 40% to 59.7% from a year earlier. However, DBS economists caution that the global artificial-intelligence boom faces growing headwinds from central-bank rate increases, higher bond yields and rising financing costs.

Southeast Asia

Inflation data from the Philippines and Thailand are due Tuesday, followed by Malaysia's annual budget on Friday.

Philippine inflation likely accelerated to 7.0% in September from 6.1% in August as oil prices surged, ANZ Research's Kausani Basak said. The central bank forecasts inflation of 6.4%-7.4%, citing weather-related food-price increases.

Thai inflation likely rose to 3.2% from 2.53%, driven by energy and food prices, DBS economists said. They expect the Bank of Thailand to view the pickup as largely supply-driven and hold rates steady for the rest of 2026.

Malaysia's 2027 budget comes amid speculation about an early election and higher oil prices.

Cost-of-living measures and continued project spending could keep expenditure elevated, while revenue gains will likely rely on better tax administration than major reforms, OCBC economist Lavanya Venkateswaran said.

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

October 02, 2026 12:05 ET (16:05 GMT)