Asia Economics Update Philippines likely to keep rates on hold throughout 2018 Despite rising inflation, rapid credit growth and a weak currency the Philippines central bank (BSP) kept its policy rate unchanged at 3.0% today. While the consensus is expecting rate hikes next year... 9th November 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia’s central bank turns hawkish Malaysia’s central bank left its policy rate unchanged at 3.0% today, but the more hawkish tone of the statement suggests that monetary policy tightening may soon come back onto the agenda. We now... 9th November 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thai rates to stay low Against a backdrop of robust growth and subdued inflation, today’s decision by the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to leave its key interest rate unchanged at 1.50% came as no surprise. The accompanying... 8th November 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka’s central bank has little room for manoeuvre Sri Lanka’s central bank (CBSL) left rates on hold today, and the accompanying monetary policy statement supports our view that rate changes are not on the horizon. CBSL will be wary of hiking rates... 7th November 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Raising our Korea growth and interest rate forecasts China and South Korea’s decision to “reset” relations should provide a significant boost to Korea’s economy by bringing an end to China’s boycott of Korean goods as well as the clampdown on Chinese... 1st November 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian equities bounce back Equity markets in Asia rebounded strongly in October, with bourses in Korea, India, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia all reaching new record highs. 31st October 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia likely to cut rates further next year Today’s decision by Bank Indonesia to leave interest rates unchanged at 4.25% probably represents a pause in the central bank’s easing cycle, rather than a halt. We continue to think that with... 19th October 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea to keep rates low for some time yet The Bank of Korea (BoK) left interest rates on hold today and the governor’s accompanying press conference makes clear that monetary policy will remain accommodative. We continue to expect the policy... 19th October 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update MAS to keep monetary policy supportive The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today left its monetary policy settings unchanged. The accompanying statement gives the MAS room to tighten policy if necessary, but given the subdued outlook... 13th October 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian equities and currencies come off the boil Asian equities and currencies have generally fallen over the past month. Although worries about the Fed have played a role, local factors have been important too. 29th September 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Thailand in no rush to raise interest rates The Bank of Thailand (BoT) today resisted pressure from the government to loosen monetary policy, and instead left its key interest rate unchanged at 1.50%. With headwinds to the economy mounting and... 27th September 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia to cut rates again before year-end Given the economy’s poor growth prospects and the subdued outlook for inflation, today’s rate cut by Bank Indonesia (BI) is unlikely to be the last in the current cycle. However, as the central bank... 22nd September 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rates to stay on hold in Taiwan With economic growth fairly strong and inflationary pressures subdued, Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) decided to keep its policy rate on hold today at 1.375%. The dovish tone of the Bank’s accompanying... 21st September 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update BSP unlikely to change policy stance soon Despite the recent rebound in inflation, it was no surprise that the Philippines central bank (BSP) kept its policy rate unchanged at 3.0% today. There was nothing in its statement to suggest BSP is... 21st September 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia rates set to stay on hold this year and next With growth strong and inflation moderating, it came as no surprise that Malaysia’s central bank (BNM) kept its policy rate unchanged at 3.0% today. In its statement, BNM stressed the positive outlook... 7th September 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update South Korea: counting the economic cost of THAAD Chinese retaliation over South Korea’s deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Defense (THAAD) system has led to a sharp slump in Chinese tourist arrivals in South Korea and a big fall in Korean... 6th September 2017 · 1 min read
