Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka: rates set to stay on hold after surprise hike The decision by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to hike its main policy rates underlines its concerns about the weakness of the currency. Policy over the months ahead will depend on the political... 14th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Which countries are running out of fiscal firepower? Most governments in Emerging Asia have room to support their economies by loosening fiscal policy further in the event that growth continues to disappoint. However, a few countries, namely Malaysia... 13th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rates set to stay on hold in Malaysia Bank Negara Malaysia today left interest rates unchanged at 3.25% and gave no hint in its accompanying statement that it is in a rush to change its policy stance anytime soon. Whereas the consensus is... 8th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Problems mount for Pakistan as Khan heads off to China Inflation can now be added to the list of problems facing Pakistan after figures published today showed headline inflation rose to a four-year high last month. Meanwhile, the chances of an improvement... 2nd November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further rate hikes still likely in Indonesia Today’s decision by Bank Indonesia (BI) to leave interest rates on hold is unlikely to mark the end of the current tightening cycle. With the rupiah likely to remain under downward pressure over the... 23rd October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update A rate hike in Korea is not a done deal The Bank of Korea (BoK) left interest rates unchanged today, but appeared to leave the door open to a rate hike soon. However, with growth set to slow, trade tensions building and inflation likely to... 18th October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: Elections will not improve long-run outlook Even if a planned election for next year passes smoothly, political uncertainty is likely to remain a drag on Thailand’s growth prospects. 16th October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: strong baht will not stop rate hikes There are good reasons for the Bank of Thailand not to hike interest rates at its next meeting, as it currently appears determined to do. But currency strength is not one of them. 15th October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further policy tightening in Singapore unlikely The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today increased the slope of its nominal effective exchange rate policy band, a decision that amounts to a tightening of its policy stance. But with growth... 12th October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Which countries are manipulating their currencies? The US Treasury is due to report soon which of its major trading partners, if any, have been manipulating their currencies for unfair advantage. Vietnam is currently the only country in Emerging Asia... 11th October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update How would a deal with the IMF help Pakistan As the price for a deal with Pakistan, the IMF is likely to demand a further sharp tightening in fiscal and monetary policy as well as structural reforms aimed at raising more revenue and improving... 9th October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update What does the recent jump in oil prices mean for Asia? The biggest impact of a period of sustained higher oil prices would be in India and the Philippines, whose current account deficits would be pushed even more into the red, putting further downward... 4th October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan hikes rates, tightening cycle not over yet The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) hiked interest rates by a further 100bp on Saturday and made clear in its policy statement that tackling the country’s mounting external imbalances remain its priority... 1st October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan’s central bank in no rush to raise rates Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) decided to keep its policy rate on hold today at 1.375% against a backdrop of strong economic growth and low inflationary pressures. The fairly dovish tone of the CBC’s... 27th September 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update More rate hikes likely in the Philippines Today’s 50bp rate hike in the Philippines comes in response to a further rise in inflation and is unlikely to be the last in the current cycle. We are expecting rates to rise by at least a further... 27th September 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further rate hikes likely in Indonesia Today’s 25 basis point rate hike by Bank Indonesia is unlikely to be the last in the current cycle. With the rupiah set to remain under downward pressure over the coming months, we expect at least two... 27th September 2018 · 1 min read
