Asia Economics Update New Zealand's central bank likely to pause early The Reserve Bank (RBNZ) lifted its cash rate by 25bp to 3.0% overnight, as expected. Exports should remain a bright spot but domestic indicators have been softer than anticipated by the RBNZ and will... 29th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India's monetary tightening still has far to go The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased its two key policy rates today, as was expected. The economic upswing looks set to stay strong and high inflation has now developed into a big political... 27th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update The Philippines’ fiscal position is poor but not disastrous Bad news on the budget deficit has trickled through in recent weeks and there is scepticism about the Philippine government’s ability to limit the shortfall to its new (upwardly-revised) target for... 26th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korea’s private sector takes the lead Korea’s GDP growth slowed in Q2 and is likely to stay on a weaker track in coming quarters. The recovery is unlikely to stall and we still expect the Bank of Korea (BoK) to lift its policy rate in... 26th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand rates to rise this week but a pause is close Economic growth in New Zealand will probably fall short of what the Reserve Bank (RBNZ), and the consensus, currently expect. The cash rate is virtually certain to move up this week but the tightening... 26th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asia capital inflows hostage to worries on growth Since May, foreigners have returned to being large net buyers of all the Asian stock markets where flows data are available, with the exceptions of Thailand and the Philippines. We continue to expect... 19th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia goes to the polls early It was announced over the weekend that Australia will hold Federal elections on 21st August. The main campaign issues will be the mining tax, climate change policy, and the stance toward asylum... 19th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippine rates to stay on hold for a while The Philippines’ central bank (BSP) kept policy rates on hold at 4.0% today. This was expected by the consensus although we had thought there might be a hike. The economic upswing should stay on track... 15th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India to hike rates again soon Recent India data show that inflation pressures remain acute and that the economic upswing is still broadly on track. Further monetary tightening is only a matter of time. It is almost certain that... 14th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand plays catch-up The Bank of Thailand (BoT) raised its policy rate by 25bp to 1.5% today, as expected. The social unrest has inflicted little damage on the economy while inflation is set to rise. Today’s move is not a... 14th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Singapore to lead growth in Asia Preliminary Q2 GDP data from Singapore, released today, were stunningly strong yet again. Economic growth will ease during the rest of 2010 but domestic demand should limit the downside. The Singapore... 14th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia shows its confidence in the upswing Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) raised its policy rate today by 25bp, as we had expected. Today’s move shows that the authorities see the local economic upswing as being sustainable and likely to stay... 8th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia's monetary tightening has further to go The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held its cash rate at 4.50% today, as expected. The external risks have increased but the RBA is still upbeat about the local outlook. GDP growth is forecast to... 6th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia set to hike rates later this year Bank Indonesia (BI) left rates at 6.50% today, as expected. The economic upswing will stay strong but the high level of the rupiah is helping to hold down prices. Nevertheless, inflation will probably... 5th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update More India rate hikes on the way Today’s unscheduled Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rate hikes are a sensible and not unwelcome move. India’s economic upswing is strong and price pressures are already uncomfortably high. Further... 2nd July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asia's industrial sector recovery is losing some power Manufacturing PMIs in emerging Asia and Australia moved lower in June. The recent explosive growth in industrial production will inevitably slow in coming months as the boost from inventory re... 1st July 2010 · 1 min read
