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

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 Update

Bank Negara Malaysia set to remain on hold

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) left its main policy rate on hold at 1.75% today, and we have taken out the cut we had pencilled in for this year. However, with the economic recovery likely to be slow...

4th March 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Data Response

Manufacturing PMIs (Feb.)

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

2nd March 2021 · 2 mins read

Asia Economics Update

Is the slow vaccine rollout a cause for concern?

Asia’s vaccine rollout has got off to a slow start. This is not a big concern in countries that have contained the virus and where social distancing is not a drag on growth such as Taiwan and China...

23rd February 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Data Response

Malaysia GDP (Q4. 2020)

Malaysia’s economy shrank in Q4 due to a large second wave of the virus and is likely to have contracted much more sharply at the start of 2021. The economy should soon begin to recover again now that...

11th February 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Data Response

Manufacturing PMIs (Jan.)

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

1st February 2021 · 2 mins read

Asia Economics Update

Malaysia’s central bank still likely to ease

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) left its main policy rate on hold at 1.75% today, but with the country once again in lockdown following a surge in COVID-19 cases, we think that the Bank will eventually be...

20th January 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Economics Update

A guide to political events in 2021

In this Update we take a look at the important elections and political events that are set to take place across Asia over the coming year as well as any potential flashpoints, assessing the...

20th January 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Economics Update

Malaysia: cutting our forecasts on new restrictions

The decision by the Malaysian government to place the country under a two-week lockdown to slow the spread of the virus is likely to hit the economy hard. We are cutting our growth forecast for 2021...

12th January 2021 · 3 mins read

Asia Data Response

Manufacturing PMIs (Nov.)

PMI readings for Asia suggest that manufacturing conditions improved significantly in November. Buoyant global demand for electronics should continue to support the sector over the coming months.

1st December 2020 · 2 mins read

Asia Data Response

Malaysia GDP (Q3)

Malaysia’s economy rebounded strongly in Q3 and while a second wave of infections will weigh on growth in Q4, we don’t think it will be long before the recovery is back on track.

13th November 2020 · 3 mins read

Asia Economics Update

Malaysia’s central bank to resume easing next year

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) left its main policy rate on hold at 1.75% today, but with a new set of restrictions to combat a second outbreak of the virus dragging on the economy, we doubt this marks...

3rd November 2020 · 3 mins read

Asia Economics Update

How might the US election impact Asia?

With the US election result unlikely to have immediate ramifications for US GDP, the main issue for much of Asia is how it affects trade policy. A Joe Biden presidency would be less confrontational...

21st October 2020 · 3 mins read