Singapore slashes 2019 growth forecast stoking recession fears

Singapore slashed its full-year economic growth forecast on Tuesday as global conditions were seen worsening and data confirmed the slowest growth rate in a decade amid mounting fears of recession in the city-state.

The government cut its forecast range for gross domestic product in Singapore - often seen as a bellwether for global growth because international trade dwarfs its domestic economy - to zero to 1 per cent from its previous 1.5 per cent-2.5 per cent projection.

Singapore's downgrade adds to concerns globally about the effect of increasing protectionism on exports and production. The deterioration in the global outlook has pushed central banks to cut interest rates and consider unconventional stimulus to shield their economies.

“GDP growth in many of Singapore's key final demand markets in the second half of 2019 is expected to slow from, or remain similar to, that recorded in the first half,” the trade ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The ministry flagged a host of growing economic risks including Hong Kong's political situation, the Japan-Korea trade dispute, the Sino-U.S. tariff war, slowing growth in China and Brexit.

Final second quarter GDP data on Tuesday showed a 3.3 per cent on-quarter contraction on a seasonally-adjusted annualised basis. That was slightly smaller than the 3.4 per cent decline seen in the government's advance estimate but deeper than a 2.9 per cent fall predicted in a Reuters poll and a sharp contrast to the robust 3.8 per cent first quarter expansion, which was driven by brisk construction activity.

Tuesday's data also confirmed annual GDP expanded 0.1 per cent in April-June from a year earlier, its slowest rate in a decade, and lower than poll expectations of 0.2 per cent and the first quarter's 1.1 per cent.

Singapore's benchmark stock index fell 1.2 per cent to a two-month low in early trade, underperforming other bourses in the region.

A central bank official said after the data that it was not considering an off-cycle policy meeting. The next of its scheduled semi-annual meetings is in October, when it is widely expected to ease policy.

Singapore has been hit hard by the Sino-U.S. trade war, which has disrupted world supply chains in a blow to business investment and corporate profits.

Also on Tuesday, Singapore cut its full-year forecast for non-oil domestic exports to a 9 per cent contraction from an 8 per cent fall previously. That comes after a 26.9 per cent drop in electronics exports in the second quarter year-on-year.

“With trade tensions between the U.S.-China unlikely to abate anytime soon, we expect exports and trade-related services to push the economy into technical recession in Q3,” said Sian Fenner, lead Asia economist at Oxford Economics.

New Zealand, India and Thailand all cut interest rates last week, signalling major concerns about the outlook for economic growth. Last month, the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time since 2008.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in an annual speech last week that the government stood ready to stimulate the economy.

“It feels like the storm is coming if you look at the whole macro economic fundamentals softening,” said Selena Ling, head of treasury and strategy at OCBC Bank.

“All the downside risks are piling up on one side,” Ling added, pointing to the myriad of global risks flagged in the trade ministry statement.

A faltering economy is expected to crimp growth at Singapore's three local listed banks, which have so far benefited from improved margins, steady interest rates and loan growth.

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