Asia Economics Update Poor health of the king is the key risk to Thai growth outlook The worsening health of the King of Thailand poses a key risk to the country’s economy. His death would plunge the country back into political crisis, which in turn could push the economy into... 10th October 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan’s central bank to resume easing cycle next year Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) kept its policy rate on hold today at 1.375%, but with growth likely to remain subdued and inflationary pressures very weak, we think it will resume its easing cycle soon. 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Duterte’s antics hits sentiment in the Philippines Financial markets in the Philippines have fallen in September amid growing concern over the increasingly erratic behaviour of the country’s new president, Rodrigo Duterte. 28th September 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Interest rates to stay low in the Philippines With the economy growing strongly but inflation under control, today’s decision by the central bank inthe Philippines (BSP) to keep its main policy rate on hold at 3.0% came as no surprise. Looking... 22nd September 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia cuts rates, further easing likely to be gradual Today’s decision by Bank Indonesia (BI) to loosen monetary policy demonstrates that the central bank’s focus is clearly on supporting the economy. Although BI signalled that the rate cutting cycle is... 22nd September 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand holds policy rate, but easing can’t be ruled out The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left its policy rate unchanged at 1.50% today, but with growth set to slowand inflationary pressures very low, further easing is likely in the coming quarters. 14th September 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korean rates to stay on hold until year-end at least With the economy showing some signs of improvement, the Bank of Korea (BoK) unsurprisingly kept its policy rate unchanged at 1.25% today. While benign inflation will give the BoK scope to keep rates... 9th September 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia’s rate hold to continue Following its move to cut rates in response to rising downside risks to growth at its last meeting in July, Malaysia’s central bank (BNM) today left its policy rate unchanged at 3.0%. With growth... 7th September 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian markets calm following Yellen’s comments Asian financial markets generally shrugged off last Friday’s comments from US Fed Chair Janet Yellen, in which she suggested the likelihood of an early rate hike in the US has increased. 31st August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka holds rates, but further tightening still likely The central bank in Sri Lanka (CBSL) today left interest rates on hold despite a continued acceleration in credit growth, high inflation and a weak currency. We think another interest rate hike is... 30th August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Easing likely to resume in Indonesia soon Bank Indonesia (BI) left its new policy rate, the seven-day reverse repo, on hold today at 5.25%, but with growth struggling and inflationary pressures low, a rate cut is likely sooner rather than... 19th August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Interest rates to stay low in the Philippines With the economy in good shape and inflation under control, today’s decision by the central bank inthe Philippines (BSP) to keep its main policy rate on hold at 3.0% came as no surprise. Looking ahead... 11th August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea’s rate pause to continue The Bank of Korea (BoK) today left its policy rate unchanged at a record low of 1.25%. With fiscal stimulus in the pipeline, we think it will take another downturn in the growth outlook to convince... 11th August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand holds policy rate, but cut likely soon The Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) decision to keep its policy rate unchanged at 1.5% today came as no surprise. However, with price pressures benign and growth likely to slow later this year, we think a... 3rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian markets set the pace in July Financial markets in the region have generally got off to a good start to H2. While we remain upbeat about the prospects for Asian equities, we expect Asian currencies to weaken a little against the... 29th July 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka’s tightening cycle has further to go The central bank in Sri Lanka (CBSL) today raised its deposit and lending rates by 50bp each in whatwas Indrajit Coomaraswamy’s first monetary policy meeting as governor. With credit growing at... 28th July 2016 · 1 min read