Asia Economics Weekly What will Korea's election mean for its economy? A presidential election will take place in Korea on Wednesday. Despite the political differences between the two frontrunners, their economic policies have much in common. As such, we think the... 17th December 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Has Vietnam's monetary loosening cycle come to an end? Vietnam’s central bank has been the most aggressive rate-cutter in Asia this year, slashing its policy rate by a cumulative 500bp to 10%. Although inflation has picked up in recent months, we think... 10th December 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Asian currencies undervalued, but still set to weaken Most currencies in Asia look undervalued. However, it would be wrong to conclude that Asia’s currencies are set for rapid appreciation. In 2013, we think an escalation in the euro-zone crisis will... 3rd December 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly ASEAN to outperform over the next decade A combination of favourable demographics, rising investment rates and an improving business environment mean growth in ASEAN should accelerate over the next decade. In contrast, growth in the rest of... 26th November 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Low unemployment no support to domestic demand Unemployment rates across Asia remain very low, but household spending has weakened all the same in response to flat or falling wages. The apparent health of Asia’s job markets should not be a reason... 19th November 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly What should we make of Korea’s strengthening currency? The Korean won has been one of Asia’s strongest-performing currencies this year, which has prompted speculation of a shift in Korea’s exchange rate policy and worries that currency appreciation is... 12th November 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Consensus too hawkish on Asia’s policy rate outlook All four central banks which announce their policy rate decisions this week are likely to signal that global worries are a key downside risk for local growth. Only in Australia do we expect a rate cut... 5th November 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Should we worry about Asia's current account trends? Most Asian economies have either seen their current account surpluses decline or their deficits increase in recent quarters, which has raised fears that the region is vulnerable to a balance of... 29th October 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Have Asia’s exports turned a corner? The September trade data reported so far in Asia were generally much better than the consensus had expected. Nonetheless, we think a sustained rebound in Asia’s exports is unlikely anytime soon. 22nd October 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Singapore to loosen monetary policy next year The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) left its policy settings unchanged on Friday, as inflation fears outweighed concerns over growth. However, we think inflation worries will dissipate over the... 15th October 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Pakistan’s central bank aiming to rekindle investment In a bid to revive investment, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) cut its policy rate for the second successive meeting on Friday. The SBP is likely to loosen monetary policy further, even at the risk... 8th October 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Property prices in Asia - an update Last year we identified Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore and Taiwan as places where property markets were showing signs of overheating. This Weekly examines how property prices in the region have fared... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Asian equities to continue to underperform A third round of quantitative easing in the US and policy actions in other major economies have boosted risk appetite and lifted equities in Asia. But the region’s equity markets are still on course... 21st September 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Three scenarios for Vietnam's crisis-hit economy High-profile arrests related to one of Vietnam’s biggest banks have brought problems in the country’s banking sector to the fore. This week’s lead article considers three scenarios for how Vietnam’s... 17th September 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Asia’s policymakers ready to act again All five central banks which announce their policy rate decisions this week are likely to signal that global worries are a key downside risk for local growth. Only in Korea do we expect a policy rate... 7th September 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Asia's consumers far from immune to global problems We expect global demand to stay weak in coming quarters and for labour markets and consumer confidence in Asia to soften as a result. Central banks in the region are likely to ease further, which... 31st August 2012 · 1 min read
