China Economics Update Inflation Monitor (Nov.) Consumer price inflation probably rose further in November, but the upward momentum appears to be fading. Weekly data show that vegetable prices have fallen in each of the last four weeks. Unless... 8th December 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update A look ahead to 2011 The main events for December are the high-level meeting at the end of this week to discuss economic policy for the coming year, and the release of November’s inflation data in a week’s time. 6th December 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Policy normalisation already well advanced Monetary conditions are not particularly loose in China and markets may be overestimating the degree of tightening to come. We expect several increases to the required reserve ratio over the next 12... 2nd December 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Would price controls work? Price controls may appeal to officials eager to be seen to be doing something about rising inflation, but China’s experience with controls has not been encouraging. For markets, they could play either... 16th November 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update How much longer will Hong Kong hold on to its dollar peg? The viability of Hong Kong’s dollar peg is again in question although the evidence linking recent asset price movements to the peg is weaker than many think. In any case, none of the alternatives to... 11th November 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update More tightening on the way Consumer price inflation rose more than expected last month, but it continues to be solely a food price problem. Of more concern is that loan growth has not slowed, despite strong signals from the... 11th November 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Inflation Monitor (Oct.) We think that consumer price inflation peaked in October. With all the recent increase in the headline rate coming from food prices, inflation is only likely to continue rising if there are further... 9th November 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update People's Bank signals intent to "normalise" policy The Q3 monetary policy report published earlier this week is the first formal policy statement from the People’s Bank (PBC) since interest rates were hiked a fortnight ago. In it, the PBC mentions a... 4th November 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Is China changing course? The People’s Bank (PBC) delivered a jolt to global markets when it unexpectedly raised interest rates last week. Never mind that the small increase will have a negligible impact on China’s economy... 25th October 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Growth stabilises, inflation still not a threat Today's data did not show the upsurge in inflation that some had thought might have triggered this week's interest rate hikes. Q3 GDP growth too was in line with initial expectations. Instead, the... 21st October 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update What is behind China's rate hike? With its surprise decision to raise benchmark interest rates, the People’s Bank of China is giving a strong signal to banks to rein in lending after the surge of the last few weeks. The immediate... 19th October 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Rapid renminbi rise will not be sustained China is again responding to foreign pressure with a surge in the renminbi. But a coming slowdown in exports, a desire to limit the predictability of the renminbi’s rise and, possibly, a rebound of... 18th October 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Surge in FX reserves throws spotlight on Chinese intervention The $194bn increase in China’s foreign exchange reserves in the third quarter was one of the biggest on record. There are two immediate implications. 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Looking ahead to the Five-Year Plan The most closely-watched data release this month will be that for third quarter GDP, due on the 21st. But a more momentous event will take place a few days earlier when the Communist Party leadership... 11th October 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update What should we make of the rumoured RRR hike? Reuters is reporting that the required reserve ratio (RRR) for major banks has been raised. The People’s Bank (PBC) has not confirmed the move, but if true the best explanation is that the large banks... 11th October 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Can exporters survive a stronger renminbi? Export margins did not fall when the renminbi was last rising against the dollar and Chinese producers continued to gain global market share. There is no reason to think that China’s export sector is... 7th October 2010 · 1 min read