India Economics Update Trade deficit to narrow further After reaching a three-year high in October, India’s trade deficit narrowed a touch in November. The shortfall is likely to narrow further over the coming months. Exports should continue to rebound... 18th December 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update External vulnerabilities remain low There was a slight widening in India’s current account deficit in Q3 over a four-quarter sum, but the bigger picture is that the external shortfall remains small. In addition, FDI inflows remain... 14th December 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update What to expect from markets in 2018 Indian financial markets have had a mixed year in 2017. Equities have surged and the rupee has strengthened a touch, but bonds have sold off. Looking ahead to 2018, we think that equities are unlikely... 13th December 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Rise in inflation has further to run We think that consumer price inflation rose again in November, due to an acceleration in both food and fuel inflation. With core price pressures also continuing to build, the Reserve Bank may have to... 8th December 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update RBI on hold, debate may soon shift to tightening The RBI kept its repo rate on hold at 6.00% today, defying calls from prominent members of the government for further rate cuts. In fact, with core price pressures building, we think the debate may... 6th December 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update More needed to develop corporate bond market The development of a corporate bond market in India could reduce local firms’ heavy reliance on bank loans to obtain funding and improve the pricing of risk, which would have knock-on benefits for the... 30th November 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Markets shrug off ratings upgrade Indian markets appear to have taken last week’s ratings upgrade from Moody’s in their stride, with the rupee recording only very small gains against the US dollar and the 10-year bond yield staying... 20th November 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Moody’s highlights positives, overlooks concerns Moody’s has highlighted a number of genuine positive recent developments in India as justifications for a ratings upgrade – though its inclusion of demonetisation among them should raise some eyebrows... 17th November 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Trade deficit unlikely to widen further India’s trade deficit widened to a three-year high in October, but we don’t think this is cause for major concern. Exports should rebound following disruptions related to the GST, while commodity... 15th November 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Inflation will resume accelerating soon We think that consumer price inflation held steady in October as a slight rise in food inflation was offset by a drop in fuel inflation. But with core price pressures building, inflation is likely to... 8th November 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Demonetisation: one year on A year after the Indian government’s surprise announcement that the bulk of the country’s bank notes were being cancelled, it is clear that the negative impact on incomes and output was substantial –... 6th November 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Gujarat election an important bellwether for PM Modi In India’s decentralised political system, state elections such as the upcoming votes in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat can have a direct bearing on economic policy. Arguably more significant though, a... 3rd November 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Bank recapitalisation a rare success in faltering reforms The bank recapitalisation package unveiled last week and the rise in India’s ranking in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business survey announced today have bolstered Mr Modi’s reform credentials. But... 31st October 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Time to switch to a producer price index A recent study from a government-appointed working group has reignited the debate over whether India should switch to a producer price index (PPI) to measure inflation at the early stages of the... 26th October 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Initial thoughts on the recapitalisation package A large-scale recapitalisation plan announced yesterday by the government is the most significant measure yet to deal with India’s banking sector malaise. That said, the package will come at a fiscal... 25th October 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Further rupee weakness likely The Indian rupee has depreciated over the past few weeks, and recently dropped to a six-month low against the US dollar. Looking ahead, the currency could weaken a little more. But India’s reasonably... 23rd October 2017 · 1 min read
