Asia Economics Update Bank of Japan on hold - but not for much longer As widely anticipated, the Bank of Japan left policy rates unchanged today. However, the prospect of outright declines in both economic activity and prices next year suggests that rates are heading... 21st November 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update China abandons credit quotas to support growth The quiet lifting of credit quotas, confirmed in Chinese media over the weekend, is arguably the most significant step taken so far by the authorities as they attempt to limit China’s economic... 4th November 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Japan still not finished cutting rates The Bank of Japan’s willingness to cut interest rates even further from already exceptionally low levels, combined with the prospect of outright declines in both economic activity and prices, suggests... 31st October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India’s central bank pauses for breath, cuts to resume shortly Today’s decision by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to leave policy rates on hold was widely expected after recent actions proved successful in calming India’s money markets. Nonetheless, with... 24th October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New forecasts for currencies and commodities The recent acceleration in the dollar’s appreciation against other major currencies (with the notable exception of the yen) reflects a combination of factors, none of which is likely to reverse any... 22nd October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Botching the slowdown in China In focusing too narrowly on supporting the economy over the short term, China risks undermining its successes in making growth more sustainable over the long term. 22nd October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korean bailout positive but won't prevent slowdown The announcement of a massive $130bn (13% of GDP) liquidity support package by the Korean authorities over the weekend should calm the markets and boost the currency in the short run, but it won’t... 20th October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India tries to boost investor confidence with big rate cut Today’s unexpected 100 basis point (bp) cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the key repo lending rate, to 8.0%, is intended to boost investor and consumer confidence. But given that this is the... 20th October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Trying, and failing, to make sense of China's slowdown The sharp slowdown in Chinese GDP growth in the third quarter is hard to square with detail showing still healthy growth in spending across the economy. Nonetheless, officials will err on the side of... 20th October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update What does the global slowdown mean for Japan? Japan’s seasonally adjusted trade deficit of ¥208 billion in August reported earlier in the week – the first monthly deficit since the early 1980s – has increased concerns about the fallout from the... 17th October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India's financial stability fears prompt another reserve ratio cut Today’s announcement by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) of another cut in the cash reserve ratio suggests that the shift in focus away from inflation is towards financial stability and not growth. 15th October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Capital outflows now affecting China too The latest data suggest that investors have been pulling money out of China in recent weeks. After dealing with hot inflows of nearly $200bn in the first half of 2008, officials will be glad for the... 14th October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korean interest rates to fall to 3% The Bank of Korea’s decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points (bp) to 5% (together with a similar move by Taiwan and a further 50bp cut by Hong Kong) was not so surprising given yesterday’s... 9th October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update China steals the show as Japan stays on hold One of the many talking points from today’s coordinated cuts in global interest rates is the fact that China quickly followed, whereas Japan left rates on hold. As it happens, the inaction from Japan... 8th October 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Japan on hold for a while yet The Bank of Japan’s willingness to cut interest rates even further from already exceptionally low levels, combined with the prospect of outright declines in both economic activity and prices, suggests... 7th October 2008 · 1 min read
