Asia Economics Update Indonesian politics is back in the way Bank Indonesia (BI) left rates at 6.5% today, as expected. The major new development is that politics is high profile again and threatens to stall the new reforms Indonesia needs to lift its trend... 4th March 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australian policy rates set to rise again in May The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised its cash rate to 4.00% today, as expected. GDP growth is returning to trend and could even be there already, while core inflation is above target. Policy... 2nd March 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Vietnam’s change not as bad as first appears Today’s headlines that Vietnam is moving toward price controls do not mark a shift away from the free market policy adjustments needed to successfully tackle its inflation and balance of payments... 1st March 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand off to a good start in 2010 The momentum built-up by the Thailand economy at the end of 2009 has carried forward into January. Consumption will be strong for a while but it is investment that will lead GDP growth this year... 1st March 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Australia to resume monetary tightening It is a close call, but the Reserve Bank (RBA) is likely to hike rates again at its Tuesday meeting. The no change in early February was always a pause and not the end of monetary tightening... 1st March 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India starts fiscal consolidation, higher rates will be next Q4 GDP growth published today came in far weaker than expected but the slowdown will be short. Today’s FY10-11 budget aims to cut the fiscal deficit, which is good news. Private sector spending is... 26th February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Well placed to face the challenges ahead (Feb 10) The emerging Asia upswing has picked up speed and inflation has increased. More central banks have indicated that monetary policy needs to be tightened and, over the next month, we expect rates to... 25th February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia jumps the queue and should hike next week Today was Malaysia’s turn to report Q4 GDP growth far stronger than the consensus and even our more-bullish-than-most expectations. All the positives will probably stay in place in coming quarters and... 24th February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Singapore budget targets productivity growth The 2010 budget, published today, focused on structural reforms to enhance the already-high flexibility of Singapore’s economy. Global and regional conditions will become more challenging during the... 22nd February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s recovery will be impressive in coming quarters Today’s Thai Q4 GDP data were stronger than our above-consensus forecast, with growth being led by government spending and household consumption. We expect that GDP growth will stay high for a few... 22nd February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan’s growth surge won’t last Taiwan’s growth looks likely to far outpace expectations in 2010, but economic activity will not feel so healthy on the ground. 22nd February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook Upswings to stay impressive for a while (Q1 10) The trade-dependent economies will eventually see slower GDP growth later this year and in 2011 as the global upswing loses momentum. But Asia’s rebound will not come to a complete halt and growth, by... 19th February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India will hike policy rates soon The surge in January wholesale prices, published today, means that it is a near-certainty that India will raise policy interest rates at the next monetary policy review in April. The chance of an... 15th February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Markets too aggressive on Korea hikes to come The Bank of Korea (BoK) left its policy rate at 2.00% today, as expected. Political pressures to hold off monetary tightening have intensified and we now expect the first increase to be delayed until... 11th February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Vietnam makes the right move Vietnam today devalued its currency by 3%. Only the timing of the move was a surprise. The devaluation is necessary and reduces the risk of a disorderly currency decline. Nevertheless, more... 11th February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia’s impressive upswing to stay on track Indonesia’s Q4 GDP growth accelerated to 5.4% y/y and all the key indicators point to a further pickup in coming quarters, with domestic demand leading the way. Monetary tightening is imminent, which... 10th February 2010 · 1 min read
