Asia Chart Pack Drought hits agricultural output in Thailand and Vietnam Vietnam and Thailand are facing their worst drought in decades, with water levels in the Mekong River at their lowest since 1926. The drought is already having an impact on growth. A decline in... 27th April 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Are Asia’s policymakers running out of fiscal firepower? Most governments in Emerging Asia have room to support their economies by loosening fiscal policy further in the event that growth continues to disappoint. However, there are a few countries, namely... 22nd April 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Export downturn set to drag on The export downturn that began over a year ago is showing little sign of coming to an end. A big part of the reason for the current weakness has been the slump in commodity prices. Even if commodity... 15th April 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Where do the risks lie? Financial markets across Emerging Asia have rebounded in recent months as investors have become more confident over the short-term economic outlook for the region. However, as we make clear in our... 8th April 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook Tigers in trouble, but better prospects elsewhere The region’s original tiger economies, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Korea, are likely to struggle over the next couple of years against a backdrop of cooling credit growth, bursting property... 6th April 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korean won leads the way Asian currencies continued their recovery in March, helped in part by fading fears of a sudden devaluation in the renminbi. 31st March 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Where next for Myanmar? Today’s handover from military to civilian rule in Myanmar marks another welcome step forward in the country’s political development. But the new government must overcome a number of major challenges... 30th March 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Better times ahead for Asian currencies After a few years of heavy declines, Asian currencies have started to make up some lost ground against the US dollar. We think other forecasters are being too negative in expecting the region’s... 11th March 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia holds rate, but all eyes on BNM governor succession Malaysia’s central bank (BNM) today kept its policy rate on hold at 3.25% at a monetary policy meeting that will be Governor Zeti’s last after 16 years at the helm. We continue to think rates will be... 9th March 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Inflation to rise, but not by enough to worry policymakers Inflation looks to have bottomed out and is set to rise across most of Emerging Asia over the coming year. However, it will remain relatively low in most places, meaning central banks will be able to... 7th March 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update High household debt another drag on Malaysia’s growth Malaysia’s high level of household debt is unlikely to trigger financial instability, but it will continue to be another constraint on growth. 7th March 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Philippines presidential election: runners and riders Political campaigning in the Philippines ahead of presidential elections due on 9 th May is now well underway. Grace Poe, an independent candidate and adopted daughter of Fernando Poe, a defeated... 26th February 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Asian growth holding up well despite export slowdown The recent weakness of Asian exports has stoked fears about the region’s growth prospects. However, regional GDP growth remained stable in the fourth quarter of 2015. Strong domestic demand is likely... 19th February 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Data Response Malaysia GDP (Q4) Malaysia’s economy slowed further in Q4, with growth dropping to 4.5% y/y from 4.7% the quarter before. Against a backdrop of low commodity prices and high household debt, the slowdown looks set to... 18th February 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Lower soy oil premium to undermine China’s palm oil demand Despite a slump in Malaysian exports to China, overall Chinese palm oil demand has remained strong. However, the increased competitiveness of soy oil is likely to weigh on Chinese demand for imported... 16th February 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Calm returns to Asian financial markets Asia’s markets were badly caught up in the global sell-off earlier in the month, and although sentiment seems to have settled down in recent days, most of the region’s equity markets are still down... 29th January 2016 · 1 min read
