Asia Economics Update Australia’s public finances are still in good shape Australia’s government expects to make little headway in reducing its budget deficit in 2013/14. The government had previously been aiming to balance the budget in the current fiscal year, but... 15th May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Lower Indian inflation unlikely to result in imminent rate cut The continuing slide in India’s wholesale price inflation will come as a relief to policymakers, but expectations of another near-term rate cut are likely to be disappointed. The RBI will want to see... 14th May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update What does S&P’s upgrade mean for the Philippines? S&P today upgraded the Philippines to investment grade status, becoming the second major ratings agency to do so in just over a month. However, this is unlikely to have a major impact on government... 10th May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further rate cuts in Korea likely by year-end The Bank of Korea unexpectedly cut interest rates today amid fears over the strength of the global economy and concerns about the weakness of the Japanese yen against the won. Low inflation means... 9th May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia likely to cut its policy rate again The Reserve Bank of Australia cut its cash rate by 25bp to 2.75% at its policy meeting today. We expect it to cut again before the end of Q3 to compensate for a cooling mining boom. 7th May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Growth in Indonesia to remain resilient Indonesia recorded another quarter of solid growth in Q1. Weak exports and lower commodity prices will act as a drag on the economy in 2013-14. However, as a domestically-driven economy, Indonesia is... 6th May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India set to take a more cautious approach to rate cuts Today's policy rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to be the last for several months. We think the RBI will pause to assess the impact of the 75bp of rate cuts seen so far this year... 3rd May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update April PMIs point toward soft recovery The May PMIs for emerging Asia suggest the manufacturing recovery is still struggling for momentum. Importantly, new export orders faltered this month. Loose monetary policy will only partly... 2nd May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Strong rebound in Taiwan growth unlikely Today’s GDP data for Taiwan shows that economic growth slowed considerably in the first quarter. The economy is unlikely to pick up strongly in the coming months, and with inflation set to remain low... 30th April 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Capital inflows a worry in the Philippines Worries over capital inflows are a major concern for the central bank in the Philippines (BSP), which has been stepping up efforts to deter “hot money”. Although the BSP left its key overnight rate on... 25th April 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korea's export recovery is unlikely to be sustained GDP data published earlier today showed that Korea's economy picked up in Q1 on the back of robust export growth. However, the export recovery is unlikely to be sustained. With inflation set to remain... 25th April 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Drop in inflation does not clear the way for a policy rate cut Last month’s drop in India’s wholesale price inflation will have come as a relief to policymakers who have been trying, with limited success, to lower inflation over the last three years. Market... 15th April 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India's industrial recovery fails to convince Today’s industrial production data were better than expected, confirming that India’s industry is picking up. But the data also highlight the growing imperative for a faster pace of approvals of... 12th April 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indonesian rates to stay on hold despite inflation risks Although Bank Indonesia kept interest rates on hold today, there is a growing risk that rising headline inflation will cause the central bank to hike rates before the end of the year. However... 11th April 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Another rate cut in Vietnam, further loosening likely The central bank in Vietnam today announced the seventh reduction in interest rates in just over a year. The move comes in response to very weak growth and subdued price pressures. With the economy... 25th March 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand near-term outlook marred by drought New Zealand’s economy grew faster than expected in Q4. Reconstruction spending is finally ramping up, but growth will be held back by a drought that has hit North Island. 21st March 2013 · 1 min read
