Asia Economics Update The Philippines is in no rush to lift policy rates As expected, the Philippines’ central bank (BSP) kept its key policy rate on hold at 4.0% today. The upswing will probably stay strong while inflation risks will climb next year. But currency... 7th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia's monetary policy tightening to resume soon The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) unexpectedly held its cash rate at 4.5% today. Nonetheless, the RBA did state that rate hikes are likely if the economy develops in line with its main-case... 5th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia on hold but not for much longer As expected, Bank Indonesia (BI) today held the policy rate steady at 6.5%. Monetary conditions have actually tightened in recent months given that rupiah appreciation has more than offset the fall in... 5th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Can high growth in India survive the state sector problems? India got there just in time and yesterday’s opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games proved to be a big success. Nevertheless, the poor preparation for the Games does highlight the growing... 4th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asia's industrial slowdown to level out soon Manufacturing PMIs for emerging Asia and Australia declined further in September. Factory output across the region will continue to adjust as the global upswing stays on a weak track. Nevertheless... 1st October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Domestic demand leading Thailand's growth Today’s batch of August data highlight the continued slowdown in manufacturing, which is heavily focused on exports production. The easing in this area is not over but domestic demand is well-placed... 30th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan's tightening cycle has probably run its course Following today’s expected rate hike, the outlook for monetary policy in Taiwan depends largely on what happens to property prices. We think there is a good chance rates will return to being on hold. 30th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan continues to make the right moves Pakistan’s central bank (SBP) today lifted its discount rate by 50bp to 13.5%, as was expected. Rates will probably be increased again later this year but 14% should be the peak. 29th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Vietnam should compromise on growth and target stability September data and Q3 GDP published over the last few days show that the economy in Vietnam is picking up speed. This contrasts with just about everywhere else in ASEAN where growth is losing rather... 27th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand's GDP growth to stay on a weak track New Zealand’s Q2 GDP data, released today, were poor. Reconstruction work following then earthquake will lift growth over the next 12 months but high headline figures will hide an underlying trend... 23rd September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka set for rapid growth in 2010-11 Data released today showed that Sri Lanka’s economy expanded at a faster pace in Q2 than in Q1. Domestic demand should hold strong and offset the fading support from exports. The central bank (CBSL)... 16th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India's Reserve Bank set to tighten further The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today raised the repo rate by 25bp, which was in line with expectations. It lifted the reverse repo rate by 50bp as well, which surprised the consensus but matched our... 16th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand's monetary tightening on hold into 2011 The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) today kept policy rates on hold at 3.0%, as expected. The aftermath of the earthquake will inevitably cause some disruption in coming months but the RBNZ even... 16th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India's Reserve Bank still likely to tighten this week Wholesale price data published today were based on a new index and probably exaggerate the easing of price pressures which is coming through. What’s more, the upswing appears to be speeding up. The... 14th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysian ringgit internationalisation is far away Over the weekend, Prime Minister Najib Razak stated that Malaysia was looking at allowing offshore trading of the ringgit. But Malaysia would need to make the currency fully convertible on the capital... 13th September 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea biding its time, but rate hikes lie ahead The Bank of Korea (BoK) unexpectedly held its policy rate at 2.25% today. Concerns about rising global uncertainties tipped the balance in favour of no change, despite the BoK expecting solid GDP... 9th September 2010 · 1 min read
