Asia Economics Update Pressure for rate cuts is easing in Thailand The Bank of Thailand (BoT) unsurprisingly kept its policy rate on hold at 2.0% today amid signs that the worst effects of the political crisis on the economy are probably over. Provided the economy... 18th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka's growth to stay above 7% Sri Lanka’s economy started 2014 on a strong note, and looks set to remain among Asia’s fastest growing economies this year. Unfavourable weather conditions are a potential risk, but the strengthening... 16th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian wholesale inflation spikes, but should ease ahead Today’s data show that wholesale price inflation in India increased sharply in May, denting the optimism stemming from the decrease in consumer price inflation in the same month. 16th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian industry moving tentatively in the right direction Today’s figures on Indian industry were the most positive in many months. These data are volatile though and don’t yet provide convincing evidence that the sector has finally turned a corner... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan’s security concerns not the only constraint on growth Although recent political violence in Pakistan has once again put the country’s poor security situation under the spotlight, it is far from the only problem the country faces. We expect growth in... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
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
