Asia Economics Update Malaysia policy rate on hold, cut likely in November The dovish statement which accompanied today’s decision by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to leave its policy rate on hold at 3.00% suggests that the central bank is leaving the door open to further... 12th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Crisis still has potential to spill beyond Hong Kong Yesterday’s announcement by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam that the government will withdraw the controversial extradition bill that sparked the current political crisis has raised hopes that... 5th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea on hold, but more cuts likely The Bank of Korea sounded more bearish on the outlook for the economy even as it left rates on hold today. As such, we continue to expect more easing this year, with another 25bps cut in October. 30th August 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka cuts, but more loosening unlikely The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) cut rates today, but given our view that the rupee will come under pressure again this year, we think this will probably mark the last cut in 2019. 23rd August 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update BI cuts rates again, but further easing to be gradual Despite the recent weakness of the rupiah, Bank Indonesia (BI) today cut its benchmark interest rate for the second consecutive month to 5.50% and hinted that further easing is on the horizon. But the... 22nd August 2019 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update The worst is now over, but growth to remain weak For all the bad news on the global economy recently, it looks as if GDP growth across Emerging Asia held broadly stable last quarter. Although growth is likely to remain fairly weak over the coming... 21st August 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Singapore: MAS to wait until October to ease An official from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today confirmed that it is not considering an unscheduled policy adjustment, but given the poor outlook for the economy loosening in October... 13th August 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: BSP cuts, one more likely this year Today’s 25bp cut from the central bank in the Philippines (BSP) came as no surprise, and with inflation set to fall back further and growth only likely to stage a moderate recovery over the coming... 8th August 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Time to worry about the crisis in Kashmir? The fall in Pakistan’s stock market today is the first sign that investors are starting to become concerned about the escalating crisis in Kashmir. The most likely outcome is that tensions are dialled... 7th August 2019 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update Surprise rate cut in Thailand, more loosening to follow Weak growth and a strong currency were the main factors behind today’s surprise rate cut in Thailand. With the economy likely to slow further and the currency likely to continue to strengthen over the... 7th August 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update What does the fall in the renminbi mean for Asia? Currencies from the rest of Asia have fallen back sharply following today’s drop in the renminbi to below 7.0 against the US dollar, and are likely to weaken further over the coming months. While... 5th August 2019 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update Trade dispute makes rate cut in Korea more likely Japan’s decision to remove Korea from its list of trusted trading partners looks set to cause significant short-term disruption to Korea’s economy, and is likely to prompt the Bank of Korea (BoK) to... 2nd August 2019 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update BI cuts rates, but easing cycle likely to be short Bank Indonesia (BI) today cut its benchmark interest rate from 6.0% to 5.75% and hinted that further easing is on the horizon. But the uncertain outlook for the currency means that this is unlikely to... 18th July 2019 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea signals further rate cuts ahead The Bank of Korea (BoK) today cut interest rates by 25bp to 1.50% and signalled that further easing is on the way. Given the poor outlook for growth and the change in sentiment by the central bank, we... 18th July 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update What will the second quarter growth figures show? Early indicators suggest that GDP growth slowed sharply across Emerging Asia in the second quarter. Although most countries should stage a gradual recovery over the coming year, growth is likely to... 17th July 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan: further rate hikes needed to combat inflation Pakistan’s central bank (SBP) today raised its benchmark interest rates by a further 100bp amid continued concerns about high inflation and the country’s current account deficit. With inflation set to... 16th July 2019 · 3 mins read
