Asia Economics Update Learning to live with lockdowns Social distancing and the imposition of new restrictions in response to a surge in infections are weighing on economic activity across the region. But with manufacturing and construction sites... 20th May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan: outbreak to weigh on consumption The first major outbreak of COVID-19 in Taiwan has triggered the first significant restrictions on activity. Consumer spending will suffer, but the rest of the economy should still perform strongly. 17th May 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: rate cuts likely in H2 The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left its main policy rate on hold at 2.00% today, and while a temporary rise in inflation means interest rates are set to remain unchanged for the next few... 12th May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Data Response Malaysia GDP (Q1) Malaysia's economy saw an export-driven rebound of 2.7% q/q in Q1, despite a partial lockdown midway through the quarter. But a resurgence in virus cases and the recent reimposition of containment... 11th May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Data Response Philippines GDP (Q1) The Philippines economy barely improved in Q1 and the reimposition of strict containment measures is likely to see output shrink this quarter. 11th May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank Negara Malaysia set to remain on hold The fact that Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) left its policy rate on hold at 1.75% today despite the worsening economic outlook means any further loosening is unlikely. But with the recovery set to be... 6th May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Data Response Korea Trade (Apr.) Korean export values were well above pre-pandemic levels in April, and with semiconductor demand set to remain elevated, at least in the short term, exports are likely to stay strong. 3rd May 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Data Response Manufacturing PMIs (Apr.) The April PMI readings suggest that manufacturing improved further in most places in Asia after a strong Q1. Global demand for electronics should continue to support the sector over the next few... 3rd May 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly Weak consumption holding back recovery in Korea Korea’s Q1 GDP data showed that while output surpassed its pre-pandemic level last quarter, private consumption remained depressed. With COVID-19 infections still running at around 650 a day, consumer... 30th April 2021 · 7 mins read
Asia Chart Pack Thailand: from bad to worse A jump in new virus cases in Thailand is already showing signs of holding back the recovery and could jeopardise plans to reopen the crucial tourist sector. Despite its initial success in containing... 28th April 2021 · 14 mins read
Asia Data Response Korea GDP (Q1, provisional) Korea’s economic recovery regained momentum in Q1, adding weight to our above-consensus growth forecast of 5% for 2021. Loose fiscal policy and strong export demand should continue to support the... 27th April 2021 · 3 mins read
Emerging Markets Economics Chart Pack Virus outbreaks cloud the outlook New COVID-19 cases have surged in the emerging world, with India, Emerging Europe and Latin America particularly hard hit. Social distancing measures have been tightened in many countries, which will... 21st April 2021 · 11 mins read
Asia Data Response Korea Trade (1st – 20th Apr.) Korean export values look set to remain well above pre-crisis levels in April, and a buoyant external sector will continue to prop up GDP even as the virus weighs on domestic consumption. 21st April 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly Taiwan’s semiconductor boom, Korea uncertainty Booming demand for semiconductors is prompting us to raise our Taiwan growth forecast for this year from 4.5% to 5.0%. This is well above the consensus of just 4.2%. Meanwhile, labour market data... 16th April 2021 · 6 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea unlikely to alter policy this year The Bank of Korea (BoK) left its main policy rate on hold at 0.50% today and given that the recovery still has some way to go, the BoK is likely to leave policy accommodative for the rest of 2021. 15th April 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Singapore: monetary policy to remain on hold in 2021 The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) left policy on hold today as advanced Q1 GDP data showed the economy rebounded further. While GDP is set to continue recovering at a decent pace, a persistent... 14th April 2021 · 3 mins read
