Asia Economics Update Singapore tackles the inflation risk The currency war has yet to pull in Singapore. Data released today showed a large q/q annualised drop in Q3 GDP but the big surprise was the decision of the Monetary Authority of Singapore to tighten... 14th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update North Korea; probably the worst top job in the world Public appearances in recent days have confirmed that Kim Jong-eun, the youngest son of Kim Jong-iI, has become North Korea’s new leader-in-waiting. It is good news for the region that a leadership... 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update What lies ahead for the Aussie dollar? The Australian dollar is close to hitting parity against the US dollar, a level last reached in mid-1982. Interest rate differentials will probably remain the main driver of where the exchange rate... 12th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Currency war in Emerging Asia; we are still not there yet We expect more intervention and FX reserves accumulation in Emerging Asia as well as further regulatory controls to curb capital inflow. However, the regional approach will most probably remain a... 11th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update The Philippines is in no rush to lift policy rates As expected, the Philippines’ central bank (BSP) kept its key policy rate on hold at 4.0% today. The upswing will probably stay strong while inflation risks will climb next year. But currency... 7th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia's monetary policy tightening to resume soon The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) unexpectedly held its cash rate at 4.5% today. Nonetheless, the RBA did state that rate hikes are likely if the economy develops in line with its main-case... 5th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia on hold but not for much longer As expected, Bank Indonesia (BI) today held the policy rate steady at 6.5%. Monetary conditions have actually tightened in recent months given that rupiah appreciation has more than offset the fall in... 5th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Can high growth in India survive the state sector problems? India got there just in time and yesterday’s opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games proved to be a big success. Nevertheless, the poor preparation for the Games does highlight the growing... 4th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asia's industrial slowdown to level out soon Manufacturing PMIs for emerging Asia and Australia declined further in September. Factory output across the region will continue to adjust as the global upswing stays on a weak track. Nevertheless... 1st October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Domestic demand leading Thailand's growth Today’s batch of August data highlight the continued slowdown in manufacturing, which is heavily focused on exports production. The easing in this area is not over but domestic demand is well-placed... 30th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan's tightening cycle has probably run its course Following today’s expected rate hike, the outlook for monetary policy in Taiwan depends largely on what happens to property prices. We think there is a good chance rates will return to being on hold. 30th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan continues to make the right moves Pakistan’s central bank (SBP) today lifted its discount rate by 50bp to 13.5%, as was expected. Rates will probably be increased again later this year but 14% should be the peak. 29th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Vietnam should compromise on growth and target stability September data and Q3 GDP published over the last few days show that the economy in Vietnam is picking up speed. This contrasts with just about everywhere else in ASEAN where growth is losing rather... 27th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand's GDP growth to stay on a weak track New Zealand’s Q2 GDP data, released today, were poor. Reconstruction work following then earthquake will lift growth over the next 12 months but high headline figures will hide an underlying trend... 23rd September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka set for rapid growth in 2010-11 Data released today showed that Sri Lanka’s economy expanded at a faster pace in Q2 than in Q1. Domestic demand should hold strong and offset the fading support from exports. The central bank (CBSL)... 16th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India's Reserve Bank set to tighten further The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today raised the repo rate by 25bp, which was in line with expectations. It lifted the reverse repo rate by 50bp as well, which surprised the consensus but matched our... 16th September 2010 · 1 min read
