Asia Economics Update India cuts effective policy rate, but also has an eye on inflation India’s central bank has used the scope allowed by continued exchange rate stability to further roll back liquidity tightening measures that were introduced in the summer. However, an increase in the... 29th October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian markets see small rises Following a rollercoaster couple of months, which saw big falls in financial markets in August, followed by a strong rebound in September, equity markets have recorded small gains this month... 28th October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Weaker government spending to weigh on growth in Malaysia With elections over and threats of rating downgrades still casting a shadow, Malaysia’s government opted to tighten fiscal policy in today’s budget. This is a welcome first step to raising the... 25th October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Gradual rate hikes in the Philippines next year The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) kept its main policy rate on hold today, against a backdrop of low inflation and continued strong economic growth. Looking ahead, although the central bank is... 24th October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update No rate changes in Thailand through to mid-2014 The Bank of Thailand kept its policy rate unchanged today at a low of just 2.50% against a backdrop of low inflation and weak growth. Although interest rates hikes are likely to start next year, the... 16th October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Singapore's outlook is upbeat, despite Q3 contraction Today’s GDP data showed that Singapore's economy contracted in Q3. Nevertheless, the outlook remains upbeat. As such, the MAS saw no reason to change its policy stance at its meeting today. We do not... 14th October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Is Thailand’s current account deficit a problem? Thailand’s current account has slipped from surplus into deficit in the last couple of years. We expect the deficit to stabilise over the coming year and think the chances of a balance of payments... 11th October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Where and why do our forecasts differ from the IMF’s? In its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO), the IMF has cut its growth forecasts for most Emerging Asian economies, bringing them more or less into line with our own. However, there are three key... 10th October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update No rate increases in Korea anytime soon The Bank of Korea’s kept interest rates on hold today amid signs that the economy is slowly improving. Looking ahead, low inflationary pressures mean the central bank will be in no hurry to tighten... 10th October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India cuts effective policy rate The decision by India’s central bank to cut the interest rate on its Marginal Standing Facility (MSF), which it describes as a “calibrated withdrawal of exceptional measures”, equates to a further... 7th October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update September PMIs suggest manufacturing may have turned a corner The September PMIs for Emerging Asia show that manufacturing conditions have improved, with the headline number increasing in all six economies. Moreover, a broad-based rise in the new orders... 1st October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia’s central bank still likely to cut again The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept its policy rate on hold at 2.5% today. However, we still expect further loosening over the coming months, and think that rates will remain very low in 2014. 1st October 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update No rush to hike rates in Taiwan Taiwan’s central bank left interest rates on hold today amid signs of a gradual improvement in the economy. Looking ahead, with inflation set to remain subdued, the CBC has scope to keep interest... 26th September 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Vietnam set for slow recovery in wake of banking crisis GDP data released today show that Vietnam’s economy remains weak in the wake of a banking crisis, which has led to a credit crunch. The woes of the financial sector look set to weigh on the economy... 25th September 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Emerging Asia Markets Monitor (Sep.) Asian currencies and equity markets have rebounded strongly over the past month. The biggest gains have been in those countries that were hardest hit by the sell-off in August. Bond yields have fallen... 24th September 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand set for a solid rebound New Zealand’s economy slowed in Q2, as drought hit agricultural and manufacturing production. However, there were encouraging signs of improvement in other areas of the economy, which bodes well for... 19th September 2013 · 1 min read
