Asia Economics Update How might the US election impact Asia? With the US election result unlikely to have immediate ramifications for US GDP, the main issue for much of Asia is how it affects trade policy. A Joe Biden presidency would be less confrontational... 21st October 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thai protests a key risk to the recovery The renewed risk of domestic political unrest in Thailand following the declaration of a “severe” state of emergency could act as a further drag on the already beleaguered economy. 15th October 2020 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bigger external surpluses put Asia under US spotlight The COVID-19 crisis has led to a ballooning of current account surpluses across Emerging Asia that is putting upward pressure on currencies. The shift to bigger external surpluses could also land the... 14th October 2020 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea holds, more yield control policies likely The Bank of Korea (BoK) left its main policy rate on hold at 0.50% today and, with the economic recovery holding up relatively well, further rate cuts seem unlikely. Instead the focus of the BoK is... 14th October 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Further rate cuts likely in Indonesia Bank Indonesia (BI) left interest rates on hold at 4.0% today, but it is too soon to call an end to the easing cycle. With the economy in need of further support, we think the central bank will resume... 13th October 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia: reform package boosts long-term prospects The near-term outlook for Indonesia’s economy is dreadful. A failure to contain the virus means the country will experience one of the slowest recoveries in the region. But a series of landmark... 6th October 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: more rate cuts after “continued pause” The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left its main policy rate on hold at 2.25% today for a second consecutive meeting, but with the economic recovery proving to be one of the slowest in the... 1st October 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan and Vietnam: outperformance continues Continued trade tensions between the US and China are providing a significant boost to economic prospects in Taiwan and Vietnam. Having also successfully contained the virus without significant... 25th September 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Too soon to call an end to Asia’s easing cycle Asian central banks have taken their foot off the gas in recent months – no central bank in the region has cut rates since July. But we think this represents a pause rather than an end to the easing... 24th September 2020 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: onus on fiscal policy after rates left unchanged The Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) decision to leave interest rates unchanged at 0.5% came as no surprise, and rates look set to remain unchanged for some time to come. The central bank hinted at further... 23rd September 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Fortunes diverge in South Asia Success in bringing the COVID-19 outbreak under control in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and to a lesser extent Bangladesh has enabled activity in these places to rebound much faster than in India, where new... 22nd September 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan: end of the easing cycle Pakistan’s central bank (SBP) left interest rate unchanged today at 7.0% and appeared to signal the end of its recent easing cycle. With the economy recovering well from the coronavirus crisis and... 21st September 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia: monetary policy outlook depends on rupiah Bank Indonesia’s (BI) decision to leave interest rates unchanged today at 4.0% shows that it is prioritising financial stability over supporting the economy. Further easing is possible later in the... 17th September 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan policy rate set for an extended hold With the economy holding up relatively well, the decision by Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) to leave interest rates on hold came as no surprise. Further rate cuts are unlikely, and we expect interest... 17th September 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia’s central bank to resume easing soon Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) left its main policy rate on hold at 1.75% today, but with the economy likely to remain weak for some time to come, we doubt this marks the end of the Bank’s easing cycle. 10th September 2020 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: Slow recovery despite virus success Despite Thailand’s success in containing the coronavirus, the country is likely to record one of the biggest falls in GDP in the region this year. A collapse in tourism and a slump in automotive... 7th September 2020 · 4 mins read
