Asia Economics Update Tight fiscal policy another reason to expect Australian slowdown Australia's budget included a range of measures to rein in the fiscal deficit. The shift to tighter fiscal policy comes at a time when the economy is growing below trend and is facing a sharp fall in... 14th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India’s next government forced to build on sluggish economy As voting in India’s general election draws to a close today, another batch of disappointing data has underlined the economic challenges that will face the new government. 12th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Is the Korean won overvalued? Fears that a strong won will undermine Korea’s export competitiveness look overdone. If anything, the won looks slightly undervalued, while prospects for the country’s exporters are better than they... 12th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rates in Korea to remain on hold until 2015 With the economic recovery gaining momentum, but inflationary pressures still low, the Bank of Korea’s (BoK) decision to keep interest rates on hold came as no surprise. We think interest rates will... 9th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia on the verge of tightening monetary policy Malaysia’s central bank (BNM) opted to keep its policy rate at 3.0% today, but the case for monetary tightening is building, and we think BNM could hike rates as early as its next meeting in July. 8th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further tightening likely in the Philippines The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left interest rates on hold today but hiked the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by a further 100 basis points, as it looks to reduce rising risks in the... 8th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update El Niño-related food inflation worries in India premature India's high dependence on rainfall for crop production makes it particularly vulnerable to the dry El Niño weather conditions that many weather forecasters expect this year. Concerns over the... 7th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s political crisis is entering a crucial phase Thailand’s political crisis is approaching a critical stage as caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra faces key rulings that could force her out of office. There are some signs that the ruling... 6th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia more likely to cut than hike rates later in 2014 The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left its policy rate unchanged at 2.5% at its meeting today, and re-iterated that it does not expect to make any changes in the near term. 6th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Growth in Indonesia to remain lacklustre Indonesia's economy slowed in Q1, and we think that tight monetary policy, along with weak demand for commodity exports, will prevent a bounce-back to the 6%-plus growth rates that not long ago looked... 5th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update External demand to bolster Asia's manufacturing recovery The April PMIs for Emerging Asia suggest the region's manufacturing recovery has yet to shift up a gear. However, improving external demand should provide a boost to Asian industry in the coming... 2nd May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian equities record a solid month Most of Asia’s stock markets recorded gains in April, buoyed by capital inflows. The positive sentiment toward Asian equities appears to reflect an easing of fears over a hard landing in China, as... 30th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Exports and low interest rates to drive Taiwan recovery Taiwan recorded another quarter of decent growth in Q1, helped by robust exports and private consumption. Looking ahead, the economy should continue growing at a solid pace on the back of loose... 30th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India’s consumers still far from healthy Rising consumer confidence in India suggests that the long-running slump in consumption may soon come to an end. However, any recovery in household spending is likely to be muted as consumers continue... 29th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand’s rate hiking cycle has a long way to go The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) raised its policy rate by 25bp to 3.0% today, and made it clear in its statement that more rate hikes are on the way. Although the RBNZ’s own forecasts have not... 24th April 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Steady recovery to continue in Korea Korea’s economy recorded another quarter of solid growth in the first quarter of the year thanks to a rebound in investment and continued recovery in export demand. Looking ahead, the economy should... 24th April 2014 · 1 min read
