The Week Ahead: Asia, week to 4 October 2026
The week in Asia's economy: 54 stories across economies, markets, banking and industry, and the threads that carry into next week.
Economies: the week just gone
US Job Growth Misses Forecasts at 29,000, Unemployment Rises to 4.2%: September's nonfarm payrolls fell short of consensus economist estimates, with annual wage increases slowing to 3%, the lowest since 2021, easing inflation concerns.
Singapore Manufacturing PMI Rises to 51.7 in September: Driven by strong AI-related demand, the Republic's manufacturing activity expanded for a 14th consecutive month, showing increased orders and production.
Japan's Finance Minister: Government clarifies Takaichi's policy stance: Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama stated the government began adjusting its messaging in late August to address market concerns about reflationary policies.
Telangana Approves ₹2,500 Crore Annual DA for State Workers: The state cabinet confirmed the release of two Dearness Allowance instalments for employees and pensioners, adding to its recurring expenditure.
India's EPFO Campaign Offers Provident Fund Coverage to Past Workers: The Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2026, active until October 31, allows businesses to regularise provident fund benefits for staff previously outside the formal system.
Markets: the week just gone
Ryde Group faces US fraud lawsuit, Cayman Islands shareholder petition: Singapore-based ride-hailing firm Ryde Group, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, is defending a US class action alleging a pump-and-dump scheme and a Cayman Islands shareholder petition for a buyout of 6.9 million shares.
Saigon Gold Drops 0.42% as Vietnam Prices Fall: Saigon Gold Jewelry Company reported its gold bar price declined 0.42% to VND143.5 million per tael on Saturday.
Indian Equities Begin October with Eight-Week Losing Streak: The Nifty and Sensex indices recorded their longest weekly decline in a quarter-century as October began, recalling past market volatility during the month.
Vietnam's State Bank Hikes Reference Rate as Dong Slides: The State Bank of Vietnam increased its official exchange rate by 0.05% to VND25,636 after the dong slid against the US dollar earlier this week, with Vietcombank selling at VND26,190.
US Treasury Yields Climb as Jobs Report Tempers Fed Hike Bets: US 10-year Treasury yields rose to 5.281% on Friday, 2 October 2026, after September's nonfarm payrolls added a lower-than-expected 29,000 jobs.
Banking & Fintech: the week just gone
OCBC boosts 365 card cashback to 6%, simplifies tiers: Singapore's OCBC will raise cashback rates for everyday spending categories like dining and groceries from 1 November 2026, standardising its minimum spend requirement.
Ping An Bank adopts AI rules, setting China banking benchmark: The Shenzhen-listed lender's board approved new management measures for artificial intelligence, a first among mainland institutions, following regulatory pressure for oversight.
Fiserv Partners Trulioo for Global Business Verification: The collaboration aims to streamline client onboarding and underwriting processes, reducing manual effort and ensuring consistent risk decisions across diverse markets.
South Korea's FSC Mandates Bank Security Checks After Cyberattacks: The Financial Services Commission on Friday, October 2, directed all banks and credit card firms to review IT systems following data breaches at Shinhan Bank and KB Kookmin Bank affecting thousands of customers.
Trust Bank turns profitable in 3.5 years, CEO cites tech and referrals: Singapore's digital bank, a joint venture of Standard Chartered and FairPrice Group, reported $135 million in income for FY2025, achieving profitability earlier this year.
Industries: the week just gone
FAA Clears Boeing 737 Max Software Glitch for Safety: The US Federal Aviation Administration's decision on 3 October smooths the path for the long-delayed 737 Max 10, a crucial model for Boeing's finances with over 1,500 orders.
Thakral Corporation divests Osaka office building for JPY4.12 billion: The Singapore-listed firm sold Utsubo East Building at a 16% premium over its carrying value, expecting to free up $21 million in cash from the transaction.
Singapore's Bee Cheng Hiang hit by AI data breach, 95,000 emails exposed: Singapore's Personal Data Protection Commission found an employee used an AI tool to generate marketing code, exposing over 95,000 customer email addresses.
Wuhan joins major Chinese cities in completed home sales push: The central Chinese hub is the fourth major city to transition towards selling only finished properties, focusing on housing supply rather than boosting buyer demand.
China AI microdrama producers pivot to quality amid saturation: Chinese AI microdrama creators are shifting focus from low-cost production to unique content, as over 90% of 430,000 new microdramas launched this year were AI-generated.
Wealth: the week just gone
India's 'No-Cost EMI' for iPhone 18 Pro Carries Hidden Fees, Debt Risks: Indian consumers considering "no-cost" equated monthly instalments for an Apple iPhone 18 Pro face undisclosed processing fees and potential loss of upfront discounts, according to financial analysis.
AI Boom Concentrates Wealth, Challenges Diversification: A surge in artificial intelligence as an investment theme is heightening concentration risk across public equities, fixed income, and real assets, according to The Business Times.
The threads above are the ones still running into next week: rate decisions pending, deals filed but not closed, data due. A dated calendar of Asian releases and central-bank meetings joins this edition once the desk licenses a data feed; until then we will not print dates we cannot verify.
This article is journalism, not investment advice; consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Market data is indicative, may be delayed, and should be verified with your broker or exchange before use.
Comments.
Comments are moderated. We remove what is unlawful, abusive or off-topic, and and you remain responsible for what you post.
Reader comments open soon. Until then, corrections and responses go to our newsroom, and we publish what we get wrong on Corrections.