Asia Data Response Manufacturing PMIs, Korea Trade (Feb.) February Manufacturing PMIs and Korean trade data show that regional industry had another strong month. This should offset some of the Omicron-related weakness in service sectors this quarter. 1st March 2022 · 2 mins read
Asia Chart Pack How will central banks respond to rising oil prices? The recent jump in oil prices poses a significant upside risk to our inflation and interest rate forecasts for this year. Central banks would normally “look through” a one-off jump in the price level... 28th February 2022 · 14 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea: a very hawkish hold A large upwards revision to the Bank of Korea’s (BoK) inflation forecast as it left rates on hold today signals that more tightening is just around the corner. We still expect three more 25bp hikes in... 24th February 2022 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan export orders unlikely to keep rising rapidly Taiwan new export orders picked up for a third straight month in January. While we expect this trend to go into reverse soon, a large backlog of unmet orders will keep the region’s exporters busy... 21st February 2022 · 2 mins read
Asia Data Response Thailand GDP (Q4) After a strong rebound in Q4, the pace of Thailand’s economic recovery over the coming year will largely depend on how quickly tourists return. While we expect a sustained recovery in the tourism... 21st February 2022 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Singapore: ageing population prompts tax hikes The centrepiece of Singapore’s budget today was confirmation that the Goods and Service Tax will rise next year and again in 2024. The hike is intended to help pay for an increase in healthcare... 18th February 2022 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: no rate hikes this year The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left its main policy rate unchanged at 2.0% today and we expect rates to be left on hold throughout 2022. In contrast, the consensus is expecting 50bps of... 17th February 2022 · 2 mins read
Asia Data Response Singapore GDP (Q4, revised) Omicron is likely to prove only a small stumbling block on the road to recovery after the strong growth of late 2021. We still expect GDP to return to its pre-pandemic trend later this year. 17th February 2022 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly Singapore budget, elections loom in the Philippines The focus of Singapore’s 2022 budget next Friday will be on steps to raise revenues to help deal with a rapidly ageing population, as the government shifts away from supporting the economy through the... 11th February 2022 · 6 mins read
Asia Data Response Malaysia GDP (Q4) Malaysia’s economy rebounded strongly last quarter and, despite headwinds from Omicron, should continue to recover throughout 2022. 11th February 2022 · 3 mins read
Asia Data Response Indonesia GDP (Q4) Indonesia’s economy rebounded strongly in the final quarter of last year, but the recovery is now entering a more difficult phase. Omicron will act as a small obstacle in the first quarter. But a... 7th February 2022 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly Encouraging developments in the Philippines The Philippines has been hit harder than any other country in the region by the pandemic, but the past week has at least brought some good news. The latest Omicron wave appears to have had only a... 4th February 2022 · 8 mins read
Asia Data Response Manufacturing PMIs (Jan.) January Manufacturing PMIs suggest that regional industry remains in rude health after a very strong end to last year. While there are signs that producers are having some success in tackling large... 3rd February 2022 · 2 mins read
Asia Chart Pack Rising virus numbers unlikely to derail recovery The Omicron variant is spreading quickly across Asia. Daily virus numbers are now at record levels in Korea, Singapore and the Philippines. However, the economic impact of Omicron is shaping up to be... 27th January 2022 · 15 mins read
Asia Data Response Philippines GDP (Q4) While an Omicron wave means the economy’s continued strong performance in Q4 is unlikely to be repeated this quarter, we think growth will pick up again before long. That said, the overall recovery... 27th January 2022 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Surprise move by the MAS likely not its last in 2022 The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) surprise move to tighten policy today, ahead of its usual April meeting, probably won’t be its last. We think the added uplift to inflation from a domestic... 25th January 2022 · 3 mins read
