Asia Economics Update Low inflation and strong won to keep Korean rates on hold The Bank of Korea (BoK) kept interest rates on hold today, as was expected given the reasonable economic outlook and subdued inflation. We think rates will be kept on hold for a while yet, with the... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update More rate hikes to come in New Zealand The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) raised its policy rate by 25bp for the third straight meeting today, as it continued the process of returning rates to more normal levels. We doubt that a... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia's financial stability risks can be kept in check The rapid rise in household debt levels coupled with strong house price growth is a key medium-term threat to Malaysia. With the economy now in good shape, the central bank (BNM) has scope to act pre... 11th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Three scenarios for how Asia’s credit binge will end We have been arguing for some time that Emerging Asia’s credit binge is unsustainable. While we don’t think an Asia-wide financial crisis is likely, the countries that have seen the biggest build-up... 10th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Can the junta save the Thai economy? Since assuming power, the army has made spurring the flagging Thai economy one of its top priorities. Public spending should receive a boost, but private sector expenditure is likely to remain subdued... 5th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia’s economy to slow after strong Q1 performance Australia’s economy posted strong growth in Q1, on the back of a surge in net exports. However, it is still far too early to say that the mining slowdown has been successfully navigated. Indeed, the... 4th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rate cuts unlikely any time soon in India The central bank left interest rates unchanged today, as expected. Looking ahead, rate cuts are unlikely any time soon despite subpar economic growth as consumer price inflation remains high. 3rd June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia set for an extended period of low rates The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left its policy rate unchanged at 2.5% today, and once again said that it does not expect to make any changes in the near term. Given that the economy is likely to... 3rd June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update May PMIs point to slow-going recovery The May PMIs for Emerging Asia were a mixed bag. However, solid new orders suggest Asia's manufacturing sectors should at least continue grinding out steady growth. 2nd June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Emerging Asia Markets Monitor (May) The election of Narendra Modi in India has provided a boost to the rupee and the Indian stock market. In contrast, the military coup in Thailand and anti-China protests in Vietnam have weighed on... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India's economy devoid of momentum as Modi takes charge Today’s GDP data confirm that India’s economic growth was very subdued at the start of the year. There will be a temptation to see this as essentially old news given how much the landscape has changed... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippines economy likely to rebound from Q1 slowdown GDP growth in the Philippines slowed in Q1, but the breakdown of the data was more encouraging than the headline numbers. The outlook remains upbeat. We expect a rebound over the coming quarters... 29th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India’s current account deficit likely to widen, but gradually India’s current account deficit fell to its lowest level in five years last quarter. Looking ahead, the deficit looks set to widen as imports are likely to rise on the back of an economic recovery and... 27th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand's political crisis won't hurt the rest of the region Thailand's protracted political crisis has damaged the domestic economy, but there are few signs of contagion to the rest of the region. Some of its neighbours may even stand to benefit. 26th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thai coup restores short-term stability at long-term cost Thailand’s coup should reduce uncertainty in the near term and so may well be welcomed by financial markets. But it brings lasting resolution of the political conflict no closer and further undermines... 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Will India’s central bank stand in the way of a stronger rupee? With India’s economy set to benefit from the stability provided by the first single-party majority government since the 1980s, an influx of foreign investment should push the rupee higher against the... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read