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
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
