Asia Data Response

Manufacturing PMIs (July)

The July PMIs for Emerging Asia point to sharp contractions in manufacturing in those places worst affected by the virus. With outbreaks likely to remain a key headwind for months to come, the rapid...

2nd August 2021 · 2 mins read

Asia Chart Pack

Singapore: moving beyond zero-COVID

In a bold move that will be closely watched across the region, Singapore is set to drop its implicit target of pursuing zero local COVID-19 cases, with restrictions set to be eased gradually from...

28th July 2021 · 14 mins read

Asia Economics Weekly

South East Asia becomes virus epicentre

The virus situation across South East Asia has gone from bad to worse over the past couple of weeks, with Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam all reporting a record high number of daily cases...

16th July 2021 · 6 mins read

Asia Economics Weekly

Singapore bouncing back, rate cut for the Philippines

The government in Singapore is starting to ease restrictions, and the success of the country’s vaccination programme will hopefully allow a rapid return to normality. This should set the stage for a...

9th July 2021 · 5 mins read

Asia Chart Pack

Virus disruption to continue

The virus situation in Emerging Asia has improved compared with a month ago. Although cases are rising sharply in Indonesia, daily numbers have come down in Taiwan, Singapore, India and Malaysia, and...

30th June 2021 · 14 mins read

Asia Economics Weekly

August rate hike in Korea, Indonesia outbreak

We were already more hawkish that the consensus in expecting a rate hike in Korea this year, but recent comments by the central bank and strong economic data mean we are shifting forward our forecast...

25th June 2021 · 7 mins read

Asia Economics Update

Philippines: rate cuts on the horizon

The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left its main policy rate on hold at 2.00% today, but with inflation fears receding, more rate cuts to support the beleaguered economy are only a few months...

24th June 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Economics Update

Philippines: rate cuts likely in H2

The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left its main policy rate on hold at 2.00% today, and while a temporary rise in inflation means interest rates are set to remain unchanged for the next few...

12th May 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Data Response

Philippines GDP (Q1)

The Philippines economy barely improved in Q1 and the reimposition of strict containment measures is likely to see output shrink this quarter.

11th May 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Data Response

Manufacturing PMIs (Apr.)

The April PMI readings suggest that manufacturing improved further in most places in Asia after a strong Q1. Global demand for electronics should continue to support the sector over the next few...

3rd May 2021 · 2 mins read

Asia Data Response

Manufacturing PMIs (Mar.)

March PMI readings suggest that manufacturing sectors improved further in most places in Asia. Global demand for electronics should continue to support the sector for the next few months.

1st April 2021 · 2 mins read

Asia Economics Update

Asian central banks in no rush to raise interest rates

Unlike in some emerging markets, central banks across Emerging Asia are in no rush to tighten monetary policy. External factors won’t compel policymakers to tighten, and with inflationary pressures...

30th March 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Economics Update

Philippines: BSP to resume easing cycle later in the year

The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left its main policy rate on hold at 2.00% today, and while a temporary rise in inflation means interest rates are set to remain on hold for the next few...

25th March 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Economics Update

What would a global return to normality mean for Asia?

As vaccines are rolled out across the world and restrictions on economic activity are removed, we expect global consumption patterns to return to something like normal. Electronics exporters, most...

22nd March 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Economics Weekly

Korea’s latest fiscal stimulus, Philippines inflation

Korea today announced that it was stepping up its support for the economy with a new supplementary budget worth 15trn won (around 0.8% of GDP). Government spending this year is now set to be 3% higher...

5th March 2021 · 5 mins read