Asia Economics Update Malaysia to raise rates sooner than expected In its latest move to rein in subsidy spending, the Malaysian government this week announced that it will hike electricity tariffs in 2014. Further subsidy cuts, particularly on the fuel front, are... 6th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia’s economy is unlikely to rebalance seamlessly Australia’s economy slowed slightly in the third quarter. We expect growth to remain below trend over the next couple of years as the economy adjusts to cooling mining investment. 4th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India’s current account vulnerability falls, but risks remain Measures to curb demand for imported gold have contributed to a sharp narrowing of India’s current account deficit. This should make the rupee less vulnerable to shifts in global investor sentiment. 4th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia’s central bank still likely to provide more support The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept its policy rate on hold at 2.5% today. However, we think further loosening will be needed next year to help the economy cope with the cooling mining boom. 3rd December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update November PMIs point to mixed recovery The November PMIs for Emerging Asia were a mixed bag. Regional manufacturing remains on the road to recovery, but today’s readings are a reminder that it is unlikely to be robust or even. 2nd December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian growth bottoming out, bumpy recovery ahead Indian GDP growth appears to be bottoming out. Growth accelerated in the third quarter of 2013 from the more than four-year low of the previous quarter. Looking ahead, we believe that the economy's... 2nd December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippines economy in good shape before Typhoon Haiyan Figures released today show that the Philippines economy was in good shape before Typhoon Haiyan hit the country at the start of the month. In the short-term, growth is likely to slow, but the economy... 28th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Vulnerable economies failing to put their fiscal houses in order Government finances are not a serious concern in most Asian countries. However, some of the governments that most need to rein in their deficits to help their economies withstand future bouts of... 27th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s rate cut may invite currency weakness In a surprise move, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) cut its policy rate by 25bps to 2.25% today. With the economy still in a fragile state, we expect rates to be kept low to support the economy through... 27th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian markets see renewed volatility Continued uncertainty over when the US Federal Reserve will start to taper its asset purchases under QE3 has led to renewed volatility across Asian financial markets over the past month. Currencies... 26th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Singapore's economy will remain shackled Today’s revised GDP data showed that Singapore's economy expanded in the third quarter, despite an advanced estimate released last month pointing toward contraction. A gradual global recovery should... 21st November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s economy remains fragile, and downside risks are rising GDP data today showed Thailand’s economy returning to growth in the third quarter, but a strong recovery is unlikely to materialise any time soon. High household debt and delays to public investment... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India pinning too-high hopes on boost from monsoon On the back of the strongest monsoon in six years, policymakers in India appear confident that a bumper crop will translate into stronger growth and help tame inflation. While the monsoon will help at... 15th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan finally gets serious about inflation The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) hiked its policy rate for the second time in two months yesterday. This represents a sharp turnaround from earlier this year, when the central bank cut rates despite a... 14th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rates to remain on prolonged hold in Korea The Bank of Korea (BoK) kept its policy rate on hold today, as expected. Looking ahead, with inflation set to remain low, the central bank will be in no rush to raise interest rates, and we expect... 14th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia hikes, but rate tightening cycle is probably over Bank Indonesia’s decision to hike interest rates today is largely aimed at easing pressure on the current account and stabilising the rupiah. But the lagged impact of substantial rate increases in the... 12th November 2013 · 1 min read
