Philippines' March exports feared to contract 7.5%

How will overall export growth be affected?

According to DBS, March export numbers are due tomorrow and the data will be closely watched for any rebound in the electronics sector.

Overall outbound shipments have been subpar of late and exports fell by 6.7% MoM (a drop of 15.6% YoY) in February.

Here's more from DBS:

The rebound in electronics demand did not materialize and electronic exports were down by an average of 34% YoY in the first two months of the year.

To be sure, several indicators point to a turnaround in electronics demand. These include an increase in new orders for US computers and electronics (in March), a third consecutive month where the US semiconductor book-to-bill ratio stayed above 1 (ending March), a sharp rebound in Taiwan’s electronics new export orders (in March) and a third consecutive month (ending April) where Singapore’s electronics PMI signaled expansion.

The more pertinent question lies with whether the electronics industry in the country is facing structural issues, especially considering Filipino electronics export performance compared to peers in the region.

We expect exports to post a contraction of 7.5% YoY in March. Assuming a moderate recovery takes place in the coming months, overall export growth for 2013 is likely to be in the low-to-mid single digits.

The people you want to reach are already in this room.

Every quarter, SBR lands on the desks of the founders, CFOs, and directors running Asia's most consequential companies. Every day, they open our newsletter and read our website. It's a room that took twenty years to build — and it's the one most of our partners are trying to get into.

The good news is that the door is open. We work with companies on thought leadership articles, sponsored content, industry summits across Southeast Asia, regional awards programmes, podcasts, and media placements in print and digital. The shape of the right partnership depends on what you're trying to do, which is why we'd rather start with a conversation than send a rate card.

If you have something this room should know about, tell us. We'll tell you honestly whether we can help, and how.

No rate cards until we understand the brief. It's a better use of everyone's time.

Book a meeting

| Or download the media kit (PDF)

240,000 senior readers quarterly in print Top 1,700 Singapore companies reached

7 markets across Southeast Asia