Asia Economics Update Inflation set to rise, but central banks in no hurry to hike rates Inflation looks set to rise in most of Emerging Asia over the coming year, but probably not by enough to worry policy makers, who will look to keep interest rates low to support growth. 10th June 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update What to make of Korea’s rate cut and restructuring plans The Bank of Korea (BoK) unexpectedly lowered its policy rate to a new record low of 1.25% today, marking its first cut since last June. The decision came a day after plans were unveiled for the... 9th June 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian currencies slide on Fed fears Asian currencies fell back in May following signals from the Federal Reserve that interest rates in the US are likely to be raised this summer. 31st May 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka keeps rates on hold, but hikes likely soon The central bank in Sri Lanka (CBSL) today held its deposit and lending rates at 6.5% and 8.0%,respectively, for the third straight month. However, we think it is only a matter of time before it... 20th May 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia opens door to further easing Malaysia and Indonesia both left their main policy rates on hold at scheduled meetings today. But while Malaysia’s central bank (BNM) gave little sign that it was about to shift monetary policy... 19th May 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: shift to interest rate corridor not a game changer The Philippines central bank’s (BSP’s) shift towards an interest rate corridor system does not amount to a change in its monetary policy stance. With inflation set to stay low, we think monetary... 16th May 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korea likely to loosen monetary policy soon The Bank of Korea (BoK) today left its policy rate unchanged at a record low of 1.50%, but with growth still sluggish and government pressure for monetary policy easing rising, we think it is only a... 13th May 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Low inflation means rates will remain low in the Philippines With the economy growing at a decent pace 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 4.0% came as... 12th May 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s rate pause to continue The Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) decision to keep its policy rate unchanged at 1.50% today came as no surprise. With the economy exiting deflation and growth still on track to come in around 3% in 2016... 11th May 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Where next for the Philippines? Rodrigo Duterte, the mayor of the fourth largest city in the Philippines, looks to have won today’s presidential election by a comfortable margin. Given how little has been said on the campaign trail... 9th May 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Growth in Sri Lanka to slow despite IMF deal The IMF today announced that it has reached a staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka on a three-year US$1.5bn loan. The deal should help Sri Lanka avoid a balance of payments crisis and stabilise... 29th April 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysian ringgit rebound continues Most currencies and equity markets are up so far this month. The Malaysian ringgit has continued to rebound strongly, but political uncertainty ahead of presidential elections in the Philippines is... 28th April 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka holds rates, but hikes likely soon The central bank in Sri Lanka (CBSL) today held its deposit and lending rates at 6.5% and 8.0%, respectively. But with credit growing rapidly and core inflation high, we expect rate hikes to come back... 26th April 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update No cuts in Indonesia likely until new policy rate comes into force With Bank Indonesia (BI) having announced on Friday that it is planning to replace its main policy rate because the current rate has little influence over commercial banks’ lending rates, a fourth... 21st April 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Monetary policy loosening in Korea more likely than not The Bank of Korea (BoK) today left its policy rate unchanged at a record low of 1.50% , b ut with the economy still in a fragile state, monetary policy loosening looks to be on the cards in the coming... 19th April 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update More than meets the eye to new Bank Indonesia policy rate Bank Indonesia today unveiled some adjustments to its policy regime which it hopes will prompt commercial banks to lower their lending rates. If the moves are a success, they should lead to an... 15th April 2016 · 1 min read
