India Economics Update Rupee strength supports case for policy loosening The rupee has been among the world’s best performing currencies so far this year, due to a combination of a narrowing trade deficit and strong foreign inflows into local equities. This has given the... 29th January 2015 · 1 min read
RBI Watch Will Governor Rajan follow up on early rate cut? Following the RBI’s decision to cut interest rates at an unscheduled meeting earlier this month, a small majority of forecasters expect rates to be kept on hold at the scheduled policy meeting next... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
India Chart Pack Further rate cuts are on the way The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) shocked markets earlier this month by cutting its main policy rates at an unscheduled meeting. The accompanying statement also paved the way for further policy... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Markets buoyed by RBI’s early rate cut Having already made a good start to 2015, India’s financial markets have rallied further following the RBI’s decision to cut interest rates at an unscheduled meeting last week. Bond yields have... 20th January 2015 · 1 min read
India Economics Update How are economic reforms progressing? Prime Minister Modi’s use of four executive orders since the end of December has added some impetus to the reform agenda, which has arguably seen the biggest strides made in areas of tax and foreign... 19th January 2015 · 1 min read
India Data Response Trade (Dec.) Following the RBI’s decision to cut interest rates at an unscheduled meeting earlier today, data showing that the trade deficit narrowed in December underline that the central bank has scope to loosen... 15th January 2015 · 1 min read
India Economics Update More loosening to follow RBI’s early rate cut The RBI has shocked markets by cutting its policy rates at an unscheduled meeting today, much sooner than most had expected. Given the weakness of the economy and recent falls in inflation, we... 15th January 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook Lower oil prices to support growth The recent sharp drop in global oil prices is a positive development for Emerging Asia. It will support growth in most economies and will put downward pressure on inflation, providing scope for... 14th January 2015 · 1 min read
India Data Response Wholesale Prices (Dec.) Wholesale price inflation edged up in December, but the big picture is that it remains close to five-year lows. What's more, our proxy for core WPI dropped sharply last month, suggesting that domestic... 14th January 2015 · 1 min read
India Data Response Consumer Prices (Dec.) & Industrial Production (Nov.) The rise in consumer price inflation in December was due in large part to price falls a year ago rather than any increases recently. The more significant point is that inflation remains subdued by... 12th January 2015 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Pick-up in inflation unlikely to worry RBI Consumer price inflation is likely to have edged up in December as the unwinding of favourable base effects from food inflation more than offset the impact of tumbling oil prices and weak core price... 9th January 2015 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Early end to strike doesn’t solve coal sector’s problems The end to strike action in India’s coal sector three days earlier than planned should ensure a quick resumption to normal production levels, which will reduce the risk of blackouts in the near term... 8th January 2015 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Cause for optimism in 2015 In our first Watch of 2015, we outline the prospects for India’s economy over the coming year. Falling commodity prices should brighten the outlook by providing a boost to consumer spending and... 7th January 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Sri Lanka faces tight election contest Sri Lanka’s presidential election, scheduled for 8 th January, is shaping up to be much closer than expected, with the current president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, now facing a genuine challenge from... 24th December 2014 · 1 min read
India Chart Pack Reasons for optimism as 2014 ends On the face of it, 2014 has been another disappointing year for the Indianeconomy. Growth over the first three quarters averaged just 5.2% y/y, only asmall improvement from the trough of 2012-2013 and... 18th December 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Winners and (even bigger) losers from lower oil prices Most countries (and the world as a whole) should be better off as a result of the slump in oil prices, including key emerging markets such as China and India. Of the major advanced economies, Japan is... 17th December 2014 · 1 min read