China Economics Update Premier Li shrugs off slowdown concerns Today’s weaker-than-expected data won’t do anything to settle investors’ nerves about the state of China’s economy. Hopes for an imminent policy response will also have been dented by Premier Li’s... 13th March 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Initial thoughts on the National People’s Congress The unchanged GDP growth target is the big news on the opening day of the National People’s Congress, though the government has given itself more wriggle room on growth than may immediately be... 5th March 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Hong Kong set for gradual recovery Hong Kong’s economy grew at its fastest pace in a year in the last quarter of 2013, thanks mainly to a continued recovery in exports. Looking ahead, with the territory’s prospects largely dependent on... 26th February 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Would Hong Kong benefit from higher interest rates? Concerns are mounting that higher interest rates in the US could cause Hong Kong’s economy to slow sharply. With growth picking up and with little slack in the labour market, tighter monetary policy... 21st February 2014 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack No shift of monetary stance January’s surge in bank lending in China does not signal any change in policy stance. Bank lending is always strong in January. Looked at in y/y terms, last month’s increase in loan growth was barely... 18th February 2014 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack Credit risks remain high Worries about the health of China’s financial sector have been eased by today’s news that a high-profile default has been avoided on a troubled RMB3bn trust product (“Credit Equals Gold No. 1”). In... 27th January 2014 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack Local government debt key challenge for 2014 China's government has sounded a sanguine note about GDP growth at the close of its Economic Work Conference. Monetary policy will remain "prudent" and fiscal policy "proactive" in 2014. In practice... 13th December 2013 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack Plenum promises shift in market rules The reform plan unveiled following the Third Plenum has refocused attention on the position of state-owned firms in China’s economy. During the first decade of this century, China’s state sector... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Subdued recovery in Hong Kong Another disappointing set of GDP figures for Hong Kong has tempered hopes for a strong revival of growth. A pick-up in global trade flows should help over the coming year, but we expect Hong Kong's... 15th November 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update China’s equities fall, market rates rise China's stock market fell in late October as money-market rates surged. A rerun of June's cash crunch is not on the cards, but there is increasing evidence that the policy stance is shifting back... 31st October 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update How long will the Hong Kong peg last? The Hong Kong dollar peg was introduced 30 years ago this week. Although the peg creates a number of problems, it remains the best option. We expect it to remain in place for many more years. 16th October 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Growth in Hong Kong set for gradual recovery Hong Kong GDP figures for the second quarter show the economy remains subdued. Over the next couple of years, with the global economy set to stage a gradual recovery, Hong Kong should see a modest... 16th August 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Property stocks lead rebound again China’s equity prices have recovered somewhat this month. Meanwhile, the renminbi has been allowed to appreciate at a faster pace. 27th May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly NIEs underperformance set to continue One of the most notable features of the Q1 GDP data for Emerging Asia is the continued weak performance of the NIEs (Newly Industrialised Economies, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore). This... 27th May 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Growth in Hong Kong to remain lacklustre GDP figures for Q1 released today show growth in Hong Kong remained lacklustre in y/y terms, while in q/q terms the pace of expansion slowed sharply. Looking ahead, with global demand set to... 10th May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook South East Asia to outperform Emerging Asia began the year with plenty of momentum, but the recovery is already showing signs of losing steam. Growth in 2013-14 is likely to be slower than has been the norm. Lacklustre global... 4th April 2013 · 1 min read
