Asia Economics Update Growth in Malaysia is returning to what is normal Q3 GDP data in Malaysia, released today, were weaker than expected, as was the case with the figures from Thailand. Nevertheless, the big picture is the same in both countries. The expansion is... 22nd November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Better balanced growth on the way in Thailand Today’s Q3 GDP data for Thailand were weak but growth is just adjusting to what is normal and can be sustained. What’s more, most of the slowdown has probably now come through. We expect the economy... 22nd November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update The Philippines' tightening cycle to begin soon The Philippines’ central bank (BSP) kept its key policy rate unchanged at 4.0% today, as expected. The strong peso is doing some of the heavy-lifting for the BSP, but rates will probably need to move... 18th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Slowdown looming for Taiwan The Philippines’ central bank (BSP) kept its key policy rate unchanged at 4.0% today, as expected. The strong peso is doing some of the heavy-lifting for the BSP, but rates will probably need to move... 18th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Inflation concerns suggest Singapore dollar to rise further The upward revisions to Singapore’s Q3 GDP figures, published today, were small. The data will stay wild for some time yet and the economy will expand at a far slower pace in 2011 than will be the... 18th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update More Bank of Korea rate hikes on the way The Bank of Korea (BoK) hiked its policy rate by 25bp to 2.5% today, in a move we had expected but which surprised the Bloomberg consensus. The economy should regain momentum over the next 12 months... 16th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka set to tighten monetary policy in 2011 The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) kept its policy rates on hold at today’s meeting, as expected. Inflation has accelerated but is unlikely to reach a problem-pace any time soon. However, GDP growth... 16th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippines' upgrade as good as it gets for a long time S&P on Friday lifted the Philippines’ sovereign foreign currency debt rating from BB- to BB. The move reflects the strong balance of payments, the implementation of new reforms which will lift trend... 15th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India's upswing set to stay strong Industrial output growth slowed sharply in September while the annual gain in wholesale prices eased a little in October. The Reserve Bank (RBI) has already made it clear that policy rates will almost... 15th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Policy tightening in Malaysia has paused, not finished Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) left policy interest rates unchanged today at 2.75%, as expected. The slowdown in GDP growth probably has further to go but we still anticipate that the upswing will regain... 12th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia's fiscal consolidation remains on track The latest budget projections published today confirm that Australia’s fiscal position is exceptionally strong when compared to other high-income economies. The overall budget will move back into... 9th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Vietnam makes the right move Vietnam’s central bank (SBV) lifted its policy rate by 100bp, to 9%, late on Friday. The adjustment is a step in the right direction but far more has to be done to ensure that inflation slows to the... 8th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Will the G20 agree to current account targets? The G20 Summit in Korea next week (11th – 12th) will be overshadowed by the fall-out from “currency wars”, hampering any attempt at the improved coordination of policies necessary to help rebalance... 5th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia's upswing remains in good shape Data published today show that Indonesia’s GDP growth eased to 5.8% y/y in Q3. The slowdown is due to one-off factors and is not a cause for concern. Economic growth will stay strong in coming... 5th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Capital flows into Asia set to bring stock market bubbles Capital inflows into Emerging Asia stock markets were high in October and will probably stay strong in coming months. This huge challenge will continue to be managed through the combination of more... 4th November 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia will probably hike rates soon It was no surprise that Bank Indonesia (BI) today left the repo rate unchanged at 6.5%. But BI has become more hawkish on the outlook for inflation despite the prospect that the rupiah will appreciate... 4th November 2010 · 1 min read
