Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea on hold, but extended hiking cycle ahead After leaving rates on hold today, the Bank of Korea gave strong signals of its intent to hike again in November. And given the Bank’s hawkish comments, we are adding another rate hike into our... 12th October 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea still on for another hike in 2021 Korean consumer prices saw another strong m/m rise last month, and while we don’t think this is a major cause for concern it still adds weight to our view that the central bank will hike rates again... 6th October 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Vietnam: Is the worst over? With cases of COVID-19 in Vietnam falling sharply and the government easing restrictions, factories are starting to reopen, and the latest data suggest the worst is now over for the country’s... 5th October 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: rates to stay low for an extended period The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left interest rates on hold today at 0.5%, and we have taken out the rate cut we originally had pencilled in for this year. However, rate hikes are still a long way off. 29th September 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Supply shortages to persist Taiwan export orders dipped back again in August, suggesting that demand for Asian electronics goods may have peaked. However, with demand still running well ahead of supply, shortages are likely to... 24th September 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan central bank in little rush to tighten policy Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) today left interest rates unchanged at 1.125%, and we think policymakers will be in little rush to start tightening policy despite the strong economy. 23rd September 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: hikes a long way off The fact that the central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left its main policy rate on hold at 2.00% today, despite the very weak state of the economy, suggests further easing is unlikely. While we are... 23rd September 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update External strains unlikely to ease as tourism slump drags on Countries across Emerging Asia are making renewed efforts to reopen their borders to boost flagging tourism sectors. However, ongoing travel restrictions and the spread of the more infectious Delta... 22nd September 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia will be in no rush to tighten Bank Indonesia today left its policy rate unchanged at 3.5% and signalled that it is likely to leave rates on hold for a prolonged period of time. With the economy rebounding on the back of a fall in... 21st September 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan: further rate hikes likely The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) today raised interest rates by 25bp and made clear further tightening is likely as the central bank shifts its focus away from supporting the recovery and towards... 20th September 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Can Sri Lanka avoid default? Falling foreign exchange reserves, a declining currency and a high level of foreign currency debt mean the risk of a sovereign default in Sri Lanka is growing. While the country should be able to... 16th September 2021 · 5 mins read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia: rates on hold until 2023 Malaysia’s central bank (BNM) left interest rates unchanged at 1.75%, and won’t be in any rush to adjust rates soon. Although the economy should start to rebound now that virus restrictions are being... 9th September 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Singapore struggling to live with COVID Singapore’s decision to reimpose some restrictions despite the country’s rapid vaccine rollout raises questions about its long-term strategy of living with COVID-19. The government’s caution will hold... 8th September 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea to continue tightening into 2022 We were among the first forecasters to call that the Bank of Korea (BoK) would begin tightening monetary policy this year and it duly delivered today, raising the policy rate by 25bps to 0.75%. Given... 26th August 2021 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update Shortages to remain a drag on global manufacturing There are growing signs that global demand for Asian consumer goods has peaked. Despite this, supply shortages look set to persist for some time amid growing evidence that surging virus cases across... 20th August 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia: major challenges await new PM Malaysia’s new prime minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, takes over an economy poised to rebound strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic. But the new government looks ill-equipped to deal with the many long... 20th August 2021 · 4 mins read
