Asia Economics Update India: Fiscal drag in first quarter as government checks deficit Fiscal policy is likely to impose a drag on India’s growth this quarter. Weak revenue growth and the government’s firm commitment to reduce this year’s fiscal deficit have left it with little choice... 20th January 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Weak consumer spending weighing on Indian industry Industrial production data published on Friday showed output contracting for the second straight month in November. Going forward, the pressures exerted by elevated inflation and high interest rates... 13th January 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia on hold, no hikes on the horizon Bank Indonesia (BI) today left interest rates on hold for the second consecutive month, suggesting it has become less concerned by the weakness of the currency. Looking ahead, with inflation set to... 9th January 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea to keep rates on hold until 2015 The Bank of Korea (BoK) kept its policy rate on hold today for the eighth consecutive month. With the economy set to stage a gradual recovery over the next year and inflationary pressures likely to... 9th January 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s political crisis poses growing threat to economy Thailand’s political crisis is showing no sign of nearing an end. A prolonged impasse could disrupt the roll-out of the government’s key public infrastructure projects, and cause further damage to the... 8th January 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka cuts lending rate, further cuts unlikely in 2014 The central bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) left its deposit rate on hold today, but cut its lending rate to a new record low against a backdrop of easing inflationary pressures. Looking ahead, with economic... 2nd January 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update PMIs suggest continued upturn across most of Asia The December PMIs for Emerging Asia point to gradually improving conditions in the region's manufacturing sectors, other than in China. New orders continued to rise nearly everywhere, suggesting... 2nd January 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian markets shrug off Fed tapering Asian financial markets took the Fed’s decision last week to taper its asset purchases under QE3 largely in their stride. Currencies fell, but not by much, while equity markets on the whole were up... 23rd December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand's outlook looks upbeat New Zealand’s economy staged a strong rebound in Q3, after drought hit agricultural and manufacturing production in the first half of the year. We expect solid growth next year, underpinned by strong... 19th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India’s hiking cycle looks to be over The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept policy rates on hold at its meeting today. Given that the economic recovery is still very fragile, the central bank is likely to remain patient with inflation... 18th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further tightening unlikely in Indonesia Bank Indonesia (BI) today left interest rates on hold, as expected. With inflation probably having peaked, the current account deficit shrinking, and signs that the central bank is becoming less... 12th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippines set for prolonged hold to support reconstruction The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) left interest rates on hold today, as expected. Looking ahead, we expect the BSP will keep monetary policy settings unchanged until 2015 as it looks to... 12th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand still likely to wait until Q2 to hike rates The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) kept its policy rate unchanged at 2.5% today. In its statement, the central bank sounded slightly more hawkish on inflation, but it still looks like it will wait... 12th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea in no hurry to raise rates The Bank of Korea (BoK) kept its policy rate on hold today for the seventh consecutive month. With inflationary pressures low and the economy set to stage only a gradual recovery over the next year... 12th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Coalition politics still likely to hinder Indian reform Markets have rallied in India on the back of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s strong showing in state elections, which puts it in a strong position ahead of the general election in a few months... 9th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s political crisis adds to economic concerns Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved parliament today and called for elections "as soon as possible". This step is unlikely to resolve political tensions, given that the opposition... 9th December 2013 · 1 min read
