Asia Economic Outlook Steady, if unspectacular, growth ahead Most economies in Emerging Asia are likely to see growth accelerate gradually over the next year, helped by a combination of stronger demand from advanced economies and relatively loose monetary... 8th October 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update RBI holds rates, but cuts could soon come onto the agenda The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) left its policy rates on hold today but, given the weakness of recent activity data and the fact that inflation has fallen below the central bank’s near-term target, we... 30th September 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Aussie and Kiwi dollars lead Asia’s currency sell-off Asia’s financial markets performed poorly in September, largely reflecting concerns about the outlook for US monetary policy. The New Zealand and Australian dollars were the worst performers, but... 30th September 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack What is behind the recent currency weakness? Sizeable falls in a number of Asian currencies against the US dollar over the past month have rekindled unwelcome memories of last summer’s “Taper Tantrum”. As was the case during last year’s sell-off... 23rd September 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Weak Indian data bolster calls to cut rates soon Today’s industrial production data for India have dampened hopes that the sector is on the cusp of a sustained recovery. But the good news is that inflation has also slowed, which could open up the... 12th September 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Property price bubbles a key risk There are signs property prices are coming off the boil in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. That said, prices in these three economies still look significantly overvalued, and a slump in prices... 5th September 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian Q2 GDP likely to be as good as it gets for some time Today’s Q2 GDP data for India, which show that the economy grew at its fastest pace since Q1 2012, come as welcome news. But we suspect that this might be as good as it gets for some time. Both fiscal... 29th August 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian financial markets higher, but political risks weigh on Pakistan Most of Asia’s stock markets and currencies strengthened in August. The key exception is Pakistan, where political uncertainty has returned to the fore. 28th August 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Mr Modi’s "first 100 days" prove underwhelming India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is approaching the end of his first hundred days in office on 3rd September with a worrying sense of drift rather than direction. Hopes that he would make a... 22nd August 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Emerging Asia has less to fear from Fed tightening The trend over the past year in most of Emerging Asia has been towards bigger current account surpluses or smaller deficits. This should make their currencies less vulnerable to any negative shifts in... 21st August 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian data leaves RBI in a bind Today’s industrial production and inflation data for India were a disappointment. The slowdown in industrial production growth cast doubt on the recent recovery of the sector, while the sharp rise in... 12th August 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Does Korea need lower interest rates? A sharp slowdown in the Korean economy last quarter and dovish rhetoric from the central bank has raised expectations that interest rates will be cut at Thursday’s scheduled policy meeting. With the... 11th August 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian rates could be cut sooner than expected The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) left its policy rates on hold today, as expected, but with inflation on a downward trend there should be scope for the RBI to cut rates sooner than most analysts expect... 5th August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Asia drives rebound in EM manufacturing According to the latest batch of PMI data, manufacturing activity across the emerging world strengthened in July supported largely by a continued improvement in Emerging Asia, in particular China... 4th August 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Consumer spending in Emerging Asia set for recovery Emerging Asia’s consumers have been struggling in recent months. Tight labour markets and improving growth prospects point to some pick-up going forward, but high levels of household debt in a number... 4th August 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia's financial markets recover on the back of election results Most of the region's currencies and equity markets fared well over the past month. In particular, Joko Widodo's presidential election victory in July helped Indonesia's financial markets stage a... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read