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 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 Economics Update Thailand to leave rates at 0.5% for some time to come The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left interest rates on hold at 0.5% today and sounded very downbeat on the prospects for the recovery. The poor outlook for the economy means rates are likely to remain... 5th May 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update No room for further rate cuts in Indonesia Bank Indonesia (BI) left interest rates unchanged at 3.5% today, and despite the downbeat outlook for the economy we see little room for further rate cuts this year. 20th April 2021 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan under pressure over currency practices The US Treasury today held off from labelling Taiwan and Vietnam currency manipulators in its semi-annual report, despite them both meeting all three criteria officially laid down by the Treasury... 16th April 2021 · 3 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
Asia Economics Update What to expect from Vietnam’s new leadership The unveiling of Vietnam’s new leadership team earlier this week contained no new surprises, and we are not expecting any significant changes in policy direction. The economy is well-placed to meet... 6th April 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Korea: time to worry about rising property prices? Rapidly rising property prices have become a big political issue in Korea, but they don’t pose a significant threat to the economy. 6th April 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Asian central banks in no rush to raise interest rates Unlike in some emerging markets, central banks across Emerging Asia are in no rush to tighten monetary policy. External factors won’t compel policymakers to tighten, and with inflationary pressures... 30th March 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: BSP to resume easing cycle later in the year 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 on hold for the next few... 25th March 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: rates to remain at 0.5% for foreseeable future The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left interest rates on hold at 0.5% today and made clear in its accompanying statement that rates will stay low for the foreseeable future. We think the that the policy rate... 24th March 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update What would a global return to normality mean for Asia? As vaccines are rolled out across the world and restrictions on economic activity are removed, we expect global consumption patterns to return to something like normal. Electronics exporters, most... 22nd March 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan: no rush to hike rates despite rapid recovery Taiwan’s central bank appears in little hurry to raise interest rates despite the strong performance of the economy, and today’s decision to leave the policy rate unchanged at 1.125% came as no... 18th March 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia: little prospect of rate hikes Recent volatility in financial markets meant Bank Indonesia (BI) was never likely to cut interest rates for a second consecutive month at its meeting today, and further rate cuts look off the agenda... 18th March 2021 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank Negara Malaysia set to remain on hold Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) left its main policy rate on hold at 1.75% today, and we have taken out the cut we had pencilled in for this year. However, with the economic recovery likely to be slow... 4th March 2021 · 3 mins read