Asia Pacific new orders near survey high as geopolitics tops finance professionals’ risk list

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Asia Pacific’s forward-looking New Orders Index improved for a second consecutive quarter in Q3, approaching its highest level in the survey’s history, according to the latest Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS) from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA (Institute of Management Accountants). The region’s Capital Expenditure and Employment indices also rose to around their historical averages.

Confidence among Asia Pacific accountants fell significantly, reversing almost three-fifths of its sharp Q2 increase, although it remained slightly above its long-term average. Globally, confidence declined only marginally. Renewed Middle East tensions and rebounding energy prices may have contributed to the decline, but resilient US and global economies, alongside strong US investment in artificial intelligence (AI), which is driving Asia Pacific exports, support a constructive outlook.