Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka holds rates, but further tightening still likely The central bank in Sri Lanka (CBSL) today left interest rates on hold despite a continued acceleration in credit growth, high inflation and a weak currency. We think another interest rate hike is... 30th August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Easing likely to resume in Indonesia soon Bank Indonesia (BI) left its new policy rate, the seven-day reverse repo, on hold today at 5.25%, but with growth struggling and inflationary pressures low, a rate cut is likely sooner rather than... 19th August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Interest rates to stay low in the Philippines With the economy in good shape and inflation under control, today’s decision by the central bank inthe Philippines (BSP) to keep its main policy rate on hold at 3.0% came as no surprise. Looking ahead... 11th August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea’s rate pause to continue The Bank of Korea (BoK) today left its policy rate unchanged at a record low of 1.25%. With fiscal stimulus in the pipeline, we think it will take another downturn in the growth outlook to convince... 11th August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand holds policy rate, but cut likely soon The Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) decision to keep its policy rate unchanged at 1.5% today came as no surprise. However, with price pressures benign and growth likely to slow later this year, we think a... 3rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian markets set the pace in July Financial markets in the region have generally got off to a good start to H2. While we remain upbeat about the prospects for Asian equities, we expect Asian currencies to weaken a little against the... 29th July 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka’s tightening cycle has further to go The central bank in Sri Lanka (CBSL) today raised its deposit and lending rates by 50bp each in whatwas Indrajit Coomaraswamy’s first monetary policy meeting as governor. With credit growing at... 28th July 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia leaves rates on hold, but further easing likely Bank Indonesia (BI) left interest rates on hold today, but further loosening is likely sooner rather than later. We think the shift to a new policy rate, which formally comes into effect next month... 21st July 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea in wait-and-see mode Following its move last month to cut rates in response to rising downside risks to growth, the Bank of Korea (BoK) today left its policy rate unchanged at a record low of 1.25%. We think it will take... 14th July 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia jumps on easing bandwagon Malaysia's central bank (BNM) today unexpectedly lowered its policy rate by 25bp to 3.0%, adding to the list of Asian central banks that have cut rates this year. But with growth still on track to... 13th July 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Terrorism poses a threat to Bangladesh’s long-term prospects The recent terror attack in Bangladesh is unlikely to have a big impact on the economy in the short-term. However, long-term prospects would take a significant dent if a more dangerous security... 5th July 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update What next for monetary policy in Taiwan? With the economy struggling badly and inflationary pressures very low, Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) today cuts its discount rate by a further 12.5 basis points to 1.375%. Given the poor outlook for... 30th June 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka steady for now but raising rates soon With its currency flat today amid broader EM volatility and its governor on the way out, the central bank in Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to keep policy rates unchanged. But credit growth is soaring... 24th June 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian economies and markets should shrug off Brexit With the region’s trade ties to the UK relatively weak, the direct economic implications for Emerging Asia of the UK’s vote to leave the EU should be small. Equities and currencies have weakened, but... 24th June 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: interest rates to remain low for some time yet With the economy growing strongly but inflationary pressures under control, today’s decision by the central bank in the Philippines (BSP) to keep its main policy rate on hold at 3.0% came as no... 23rd June 2016 · 1 min read
