Asia Economics Update India’s consumers still far from healthy Rising consumer confidence in India suggests that the long-running slump in consumption may soon come to an end. However, any recovery in household spending is likely to be muted as consumers continue... 29th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand’s rate hiking cycle has a long way to go The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) raised its policy rate by 25bp to 3.0% today, and made it clear in its statement that more rate hikes are on the way. Although the RBNZ’s own forecasts have not... 24th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Steady recovery to continue in Korea Korea’s economy recorded another quarter of solid growth in the first quarter of the year thanks to a rebound in investment and continued recovery in export demand. Looking ahead, the economy should... 24th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand to keep policy rate on hold Following a 25bp cut to its policy rate last month, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) adopted a wait-and-see approach today and kept the benchmark rate unchanged. With demand still fragile, we expect... 23rd April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian inflation will prove stubborn from here Indian inflation ticked up in March, ending a downward trend that had raised some hopes that the central bank might be winning its battle with price pressures. There are a number of reasons to think... 15th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Exports cannot offset Thailand’s domestic demand weakness With domestic demand struggling under the weight of the ongoing political unrest, exports have become the main beacon of hope for Thailand’s economy this year. However, we doubt the export sector can... 15th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Singapore's economy set for solid growth in 2014 Today’s GDP data showed that Singapore's economy barely expanded in Q1. Recovering global demand should, nevertheless, ensure solid growth over the rest of 2014. As such, the MAS saw no reason to... 14th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian manufacturing struggling for momentum Weak industrial output in February has dented hopes of a manufacturing-led rebound in India's economy. With prospects for domestic demand looking downbeat, India's economic recovery will remain slow... 14th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Bank of Korea governor in no rush to tighten policy The Bank of Korea (BoK) left interest rates on hold today for the eleventh consecutive month in what was Lee Ju-yeol’s first meeting as new governor. As a former deputy governor with 35 years of... 10th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Isolated incident won't derail Malaysia-China economic ties The disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 a month ago has raised concerns about the prospects for Malaysia's tourism sector and the country's relationship with China. But while the tourism... 9th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia to keep rates unchanged this year Bank Indonesia (BI) left interest rates on hold today and is unlikely to change its stance any time soon. Falling inflation and fading external vulnerabilities suggest further rate hikes are no longer... 8th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian rates set to remain at a standstill The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) left interest rates unchanged today, and we suspect that its rate hiking cycle is at an end. However, tackling inflation is still the RBI's main priority, which means... 1st April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Manufacturing recovery intact, but to stay slow-going The March PMIs for Emerging Asia were a mixed bag, reinforcing our view that Asia's manufacturing recovery is likely to remain bumpy. 1st April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australian rates to stay on hold for a while yet The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held its cash rate at 2.5% today, amid signs that the non-mining economy continues to improve. Policy loosening remains off the agenda for now, but we still think... 1st April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update A mixed month for Asian currencies After a solid bounce across the board in February, the performance of most Asian currencies and equity markets was muted over the past month. That said, investors were still showing improved appetite... 31st March 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update The Philippines holds policy rate, but first hike not far off Although the central bank in the Philippines (BSP) opted to keep the overnight rate on hold at a record low of just 3.5% at its meeting today, it hiked its reserve requirement ratio by 1pp, suggesting... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
