India Economics Update RBI pauses, but isn’t done yet The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) unexpectedly kept rates on hold today, but flagged several upside risks to the inflation outlook in its accompanying statement and explicitly shifted to a more hawkish... 5th October 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Strong FDI inflows boosting external position India’s current account deficit remained at a sustainable level in Q2, confounding the fears that some had expressed of a sharp widening. What’s more, the deficit is now being financed primarily by... 10th September 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Inflation Monitor (Aug.) Headline consumer price inflation is likely to have eased in August, in large part due to another fall in food inflation. But more important from the policy perspective, core inflation is likely to... 5th September 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Policymakers comfortable with weaker rupee The rupee’s slide against the US dollar this year has been met with frenzied commentary in some quarters. But policymakers look comfortable with the weaker rupee. In particular, the RBI appears to... 28th August 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Economic implications of the Kerala floods The flooding in Kerala is among the worst in recent memory, and has already had a devastating human cost. But from an economic perspective at least, the damage should be manageable. 23rd August 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Credibility is key for the RBI The minutes of the Reserve Bank’s August policy meeting – at which interest rates were hiked again – show that the MPC has placed great importance on preserving its recently-acquired credibility. With... 17th August 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Is the trade deficit becoming a cause for concern? The further widening in India’s merchandise trade deficit last month is likely to heighten concerns over the external position, particularly amid the broader deterioration in market sentiment towards... 15th August 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Inflation Monitor (Jul.) Headline consumer price inflation is likely to have dropped in July, in large part due to a fall in food inflation. But core inflation is likely to have remained elevated by the standards of the... 8th August 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update RBI decisive amid inflation rise The RBI opted to tighten policy again today against a backdrop of strong growth and rising inflation. The swiftness with which the central bank has responded to the jump in inflation should prevent... 1st August 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Trade deficit widens as protectionist clouds build The further widening in India’s trade deficit last month, coupled with the growing protectionist threat from the US, will inevitably raise concerns. But unlike many other countries in Asia, India’s... 16th July 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Healthcare insurance scheme will have limited impact In principle, Prime Minister Modi’s plan to introduce a health insurance scheme could bring numerous benefits, including from a narrow economic perspective. But the government is allocating very... 11th July 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Inflation Monitor (Jun.) Headline consumer price inflation is likely to have stayed well above target in June, due in large part to core inflation remaining elevated by the standards of the recent past. We think that this... 5th July 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update MPC minutes keep door open for further tightening The minutes of the Reserve Bank of India’s June policy meeting – at which interest rates were hiked – are dominated by concerns about upside risks to inflation and the potential for damage to the... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update External vulnerabilities remain low There was a widening in India’s current account deficit in Q1 over a four-quarter sum, but the bigger picture is that the external shortfall remains at a sustainable level. In addition, FDI inflows... 13th June 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Inflation Monitor (May) Consumer price inflation is likely to have accelerated in May, due in large part to a rise in fuel inflation. Core inflation will also have remained elevated, and this is likely to be the case for... 7th June 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update RBI pulls the trigger The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) decision to hike its repo rate today surprised the consensus, but not us. We think that elevated core inflation will prompt the central bank to raise interest rates... 6th June 2018 · 1 min read