China Data Response Trade (Jul.) Imports edged up in level terms, consistent with the ongoing recovery in domestic activity. Meanwhile, exports jumped thanks to stronger foreign demand and the ongoing boost from COVID-related... 7th August 2020 · 2 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Chart Pack Diverging virus success results in diverging activity A new outbreak in Victoria has caused daily new cases to surge to a record high in Australia. By contrast, New Zealand has maintained its elimination of the virus with new cases remaining very low and... 30th July 2020 · 10 mins read
China Data Response Hong Kong GDP (Q2 Preliminary) Hong Kong’s economy stabilised last quarter as fiscal stimulus and stronger demand in mainland China offset weaker consumption and investment. But with the city facing its worst COVID-19 outbreak yet... 29th July 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka opts for 100bps cut, more easing likely The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) cut both its deposit and lending rates by 100bps to 4.50% and 5.50% respectively at its meeting today, and given the poor outlook for the economy, we think the... 9th July 2020 · 2 mins read
Asia Chart Pack Auto sector holding back Korea’s recovery A slump in Korea’s automotive sector, which accounts for around 10% of GDP, is weighing heavily on the country’s prospects. The latest industrial production data which were published today show that... 30th June 2020 · 13 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Chart Pack Economies coming roaring back Restrictions on activity have lifted in both countries. While some states in Australia still limit the size of groups and capacity at restaurants, New Zealand has now lifted all domestic restrictions... 30th June 2020 · 10 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan keeps rates on hold, but easing likely to resume Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) kept its policy rate on hold today at 1.125%, but given the poor outlook for the economy, we think it will cut again soon. 18th June 2020 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Chart Pack Normal still a long way off As the lockdowns have largely come to an end in both countries, output is starting to recover. In New Zealand, most activity is now allowed to resume, though gatherings are limited to 100 people. In... 29th May 2020 · 10 mins read
Asia Chart Pack Some signs of recovery as lockdowns are eased With new infections falling sharply across the region and with lockdowns being eased, economic activity is starting to recover. However, the latest high-frequency data that we track, including routing... 28th May 2020 · 14 mins read
Asia Chart Pack South Asia and Indonesia are a big worry We remain deeply concerned about the rapidly rising number of cases of coronavirus across South Asia as well as Indonesia. A failure to contain the virus would have significant economic consequences... 27th April 2020 · 9 mins read
China Economic Outlook Past the worst but recovery to underwhelm After the deepest downturn since the Cultural Revolution in Q1, China’s economy will return to growth this quarter. But with labour market strains holding back domestic demand and external headwinds... 15th April 2020 · 17 mins read
Asia Chart Pack Policy support being stepped up With economic growth across the region collapsing, policy support is being ramped up aggressively. Having slashed interest rates over the past couple of weeks, central banks have begun to unveil a... 26th March 2020 · 9 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan cuts rates, more easing likely In response to the rapidly worsening outlook for the economy, Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) today cut its key policy rate today by 25bps to 1.125% and announced other measures to support the economy... 19th March 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka to keep rates on hold this year The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) left interest rates unchanged today, and while it kept the door open to loosening, high inflation and the CBSL’s concern over the rupee limits the scope for... 5th March 2020 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Chart Pack Threat from the coronavirus continues to grow We estimate GDP growth in Australia continued to muddle along in Q4, edging up from 0.4% q/q in Q3 to 0.5% q/q. In New Zealand, we think a stronger contribution from net trade was offset by a decline... 26th February 2020 · 10 mins read
Asia Chart Pack Assessing the impact so far We still don’t have much in the way of hard data, but the figures that have been published so far suggest the coronavirus and the measures that China has taken to contain it, are having a severe... 25th February 2020 · 16 mins read