Asia Economics Update Philippines: BSP cuts, one more likely this year Today’s 25bp cut from the central bank in the Philippines (BSP) came as no surprise, and with inflation set to fall back further and growth only likely to stage a moderate recovery over the coming... 8th August 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Time to worry about the crisis in Kashmir? The fall in Pakistan’s stock market today is the first sign that investors are starting to become concerned about the escalating crisis in Kashmir. The most likely outcome is that tensions are dialled... 7th August 2019 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update Surprise rate cut in Thailand, more loosening to follow Weak growth and a strong currency were the main factors behind today’s surprise rate cut in Thailand. With the economy likely to slow further and the currency likely to continue to strengthen over the... 7th August 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update What does the fall in the renminbi mean for Asia? Currencies from the rest of Asia have fallen back sharply following today’s drop in the renminbi to below 7.0 against the US dollar, and are likely to weaken further over the coming months. While... 5th August 2019 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update Trade dispute makes rate cut in Korea more likely Japan’s decision to remove Korea from its list of trusted trading partners looks set to cause significant short-term disruption to Korea’s economy, and is likely to prompt the Bank of Korea (BoK) to... 2nd August 2019 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update BI cuts rates, but easing cycle likely to be short Bank Indonesia (BI) today cut its benchmark interest rate from 6.0% to 5.75% and hinted that further easing is on the horizon. But the uncertain outlook for the currency means that this is unlikely to... 18th July 2019 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea signals further rate cuts ahead The Bank of Korea (BoK) today cut interest rates by 25bp to 1.50% and signalled that further easing is on the way. Given the poor outlook for growth and the change in sentiment by the central bank, we... 18th July 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update What will the second quarter growth figures show? Early indicators suggest that GDP growth slowed sharply across Emerging Asia in the second quarter. Although most countries should stage a gradual recovery over the coming year, growth is likely to... 17th July 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan: further rate hikes needed to combat inflation Pakistan’s central bank (SBP) today raised its benchmark interest rates by a further 100bp amid continued concerns about high inflation and the country’s current account deficit. With inflation set to... 16th July 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia: rates left unchanged but further easing likely Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) left interest rates unchanged at 3.0% today, but kept the door open to further easing. With growth set to slow in the second half of the year, we think the central bank... 9th July 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Will an IMF deal solve Pakistan’s problems? The policy tightening and structural reforms that Pakistan has agreed to as the price of a deal with the IMF are likely to lead to a sharp slowdown in economic growth in the near-term but should also... 4th July 2019 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand to leave rates unchanged this year The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left interest rates unchanged today and gave little hint that it was preparing to follow other central banks in the region by loosening monetary policy. We expect interest... 26th June 2019 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Interest rates in Taiwan to be left on hold Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) left interest rates unchanged today at 1.375%, and is likely to be in little rush to cut interest rates despite the poor outlook for growth. We expect interest rates to be... 20th June 2019 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update BI hints at rate cuts, but prolonged easing unlikely Bank Indonesia today left its policy rate unchanged at 6.0% but the decision to cut the reserve requirement ratio and the dovish shift in the central bank’s rhetoric suggests interest rates are likely... 20th June 2019 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippines likely to resume easing cycle soon The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) kept its policy rate unchanged at 4.50% today, but it clearly left the door open to further easing. With inflation likely to fall back further over the coming... 20th June 2019 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update What would US rate cuts mean for Asia? Expectations that the US will soon start to cut interest rates have provided a boost to Asian currencies in recent weeks. But if we are right that slowing growth in the US and the escalating trade war... 18th June 2019 · 1 min read
