Asia Economics Update Protectionist threat from US unlikely to go away The US Treasury is due to report soon which of its major trading partners, if any, have been manipulating their currencies for unfair advantage. But regardless of what the US Treasury decides, the... 24th October 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia: approaching the end of the easing cycle Bank Indonesia (BI) cut interest rates again today and signalled that its main priority remains supporting the struggling economy. However, if the rupiah starts to drop back against the US dollar over... 24th October 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Would QE work in Korea? There have been suggestions that the Bank of Korea (BoK) might soon need to adopt some of the unconventional policy measures that are being tried by the world’s major central banks. However, evidence... 23rd October 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update The worst is now over Early indicators suggest that GDP growth stabilised across Emerging Asia last quarter. While we think the worst is now over for the region, the recovery will be slow going. 21st October 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea cuts, more easing likely The Bank of Korea (BoK) cut its policy rate from 1.50% to 1.25% today and with growth set to remain subdued and price pressures likely to remain very weak, we are expecting more easing next year. 16th October 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Singapore: monetary policy set to remain loose The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) loosened policy today and given the current weakness of the economy – GDP figures also published today show growth in year-on-year terms held steady at a ten... 14th October 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Vietnam: protectionism key risk to growth outlook Data released over the weekend suggest that Vietnam grew strongly in the third quarter of the year, and we think it will remain one of the fastest growing economies in the region. The possibility that... 30th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines easing cycle has further to run Today’s cut to the policy rate by the central bank in the Philippines (BSP) from 4.25% to 4.00% is unlikely to be the last in the easing cycle. With growth likely to disappoint and price pressures set... 26th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: rates on hold, but cut likely before year-end The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left interest rates unchanged at 1.50% today, but with economic growth set to remain weak and concerns about the strength of the baht mounting, we think the central bank... 25th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan will not join Asia’s rate cutting cycle Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) left its key policy rate unchanged today at 1.375%, and with growth picking up we doubt it will be in any rush to join the region’s rate cutting cycle. We expect interest... 19th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka’s GDP figures overstating health of economy Sri Lanka’s economy held up better than we had expected last quarter given the drag from the recent terrorist attacks on the country. But we suspect that the published figures overstate the real... 19th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia: Further rate cuts likely Today’s rate cut by Bank Indonesia (BI) clearly signals that its main priority at the moment is supporting the struggling economy. While we think further easing is likely, the central bank is likely... 19th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Vietnam: surprise cut, but further easing unlikely Vietnam’s decision to cut interest rates today is something of a surprise given that growth appears to be holding up well at the moment. Given the decent outlook for the economy, we don’t think the... 13th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia policy rate on hold, cut likely in November The dovish statement which accompanied today’s decision by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to leave its policy rate on hold at 3.00% suggests that the central bank is leaving the door open to further... 12th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Crisis still has potential to spill beyond Hong Kong Yesterday’s announcement by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam that the government will withdraw the controversial extradition bill that sparked the current political crisis has raised hopes that... 5th September 2019 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea on hold, but more cuts likely The Bank of Korea sounded more bearish on the outlook for the economy even as it left rates on hold today. As such, we continue to expect more easing this year, with another 25bps cut in October. 30th August 2019 · 3 mins read
