Asia Economics Update Are risks brewing in Korea’s housing market? A surge in lending to the property sector and booming prices in the capital, Seoul, are unlikely to cause serious problems for Korea’s economy. 12th December 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: election will not improve long-run outlook Even if a general election that has now been confirmed for 24th February passes smoothly, political uncertainty is likely to remain a drag on Thailand’s prospects. 11th December 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan: external position improving but growth to slow The collapse in the rupee and an aggressive tightening of monetary policy is leading to a welcome fall in Pakistan’s external imbalances. However, with most of the adjustment taking place through a... 5th December 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korea: rate hikes next year look unlikely While the Bank of Korea (BoK) hiked its policy rate today for the first time in a year, this is unlikely to mark the start of a tightening cycle. 30th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Chinese investment could make problems worse By seeking closer ties and increased investment from China, President Duterte of the Philippines risks repeating the mistakes made by other countries in the region. With the current account deficit... 22nd November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update What next for Asian growth? Growth slowed significantly in Emerging Asia last year, and is likely to remain fairly subdued over the coming year, with looser fiscal policy unlikely to offset the drag from weaker global demand and... 21st November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further rate hikes likely in Indonesia Today’s surprise 25 basis point interest rate hike by Bank Indonesia (BI) clearly indicates that the central bank’s main focus will be on supporting the currency and reducing the country’s external... 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: Today likely to be the last hike in the cycle With inflation set to drop back steadily over the coming months, we think today’s rate hike by the central bank of the Philippines (BSP) will be the last in the current cycle. 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Thailand set to raise rates in December The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left interest rates unchanged at 1.50% today, but the hawkish tone of the accompanying statement suggests that a rate hike is now only a matter of time, as the central bank... 14th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka: rates set to stay on hold after surprise hike The decision by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to hike its main policy rates underlines its concerns about the weakness of the currency. Policy over the months ahead will depend on the political... 14th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Which countries are running out of fiscal firepower? Most governments in Emerging Asia have room to support their economies by loosening fiscal policy further in the event that growth continues to disappoint. However, a few countries, namely Malaysia... 13th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rates set to stay on hold in Malaysia Bank Negara Malaysia today left interest rates unchanged at 3.25% and gave no hint in its accompanying statement that it is in a rush to change its policy stance anytime soon. Whereas the consensus is... 8th November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Problems mount for Pakistan as Khan heads off to China Inflation can now be added to the list of problems facing Pakistan after figures published today showed headline inflation rose to a four-year high last month. Meanwhile, the chances of an improvement... 2nd November 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further rate hikes still likely in Indonesia Today’s decision by Bank Indonesia (BI) to leave interest rates on hold is unlikely to mark the end of the current tightening cycle. With the rupiah likely to remain under downward pressure over the... 23rd October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update A rate hike in Korea is not a done deal The Bank of Korea (BoK) left interest rates unchanged today, but appeared to leave the door open to a rate hike soon. However, with growth set to slow, trade tensions building and inflation likely to... 18th October 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: Elections will not improve long-run outlook Even if a planned election for next year passes smoothly, political uncertainty is likely to remain a drag on Thailand’s growth prospects. 16th October 2018 · 1 min read
