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Stage set for rate cuts later in the year Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) today kept its main policy rate unchanged (at 1.875%), but with the economy struggling and price pressures set to ease further, we expect the central bank to start cutting interest …
15th June 2023
Pakistan’s central bank (SBP) left its main policy rate unchanged today at 21%, but we think this represents a pause rather than an end to the SBP’s tightening cycle. With inflation well above target and concerns about the external position unlikely to …
12th June 2023
No more hikes in Thailand Inflation figures published this week for Thailand showed the headline rate fell from 2.7% y/y in April to just 0.5% in May, which puts it well below the central bank’s 1-3% target. A key factor behind the decline was a 11% m/m …
9th June 2023
Dismal economic growth has established the Korean won as one of the worst-performing emerging market (EM) currencies against the dollar this year. We expect Korea’s bleak growth prospects and unfavourable yield gaps to keep the won weak, though its …
8th June 2023
Korea set for a weak Q2, BoK still too optimistic While the economy avoided a technical recession in Q1 on the back of a sharp rise in automotive exports , activity data for April released this week showed that Korea’s economic woes are far from over. …
1st June 2023
Sri Lanka’s central bank (CBSL) cut interest rates in a surprise move today but we think further monetary loosening will be gradual as concerns about the external position are likely to persist in the near-term. The decision to cut both the Standing …
Manufacturing sector remains under pressure Manufacturing PMIs declined in most countries in Emerging Asia. Weak demand and elevated inventory levels are likely to continue to weigh on manufacturing output in Asia over the coming quarters. May …
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) raised its policy rate by 25bps, to 2.0%, today but given the relatively benign outlook for inflation we think this marks the end of the tightening cycle. Today’s decision was accurately predicted by 17 of 22 analysts polled …
31st May 2023
Further tightening unlikely The Bank of Thailand (BoT) raised its policy rate by 25bps, to 2.0%, today but given the relatively benign outlook for inflation we think this marks the end of the tightening cycle. In the accompanying statement to today’s …
Weak Q1, disappointing early data for Q2 Most countries in the region have now published Q1 GDP figures, and in the majority of places the data were weak as high interest rates and subdued demand from abroad weighed on growth. (See Chart 1.) The …
26th May 2023
Falling inflation to open the door for early rate cut Bank Indonesia (BI) kept its main policy rate unchanged today (at 5.75%) as was widely expected. With inflation falling and growth easing, we think there is a good chance the central bank could cut …
25th May 2023
The Bank of Korea today left interest rates unchanged (3.5%) for a third consecutive meeting, and pushed back against the possibility of early interest rate cuts. However, with inflation falling back, the economy struggling and the housing market …
Singapore’s economy is being hit hard by multi-decade high interest rates and elevated inflation. And with external demand set to weaken, we expect growth to be much weaker than consensus projections. The revised estimate for Q1 GDP published today …
On hold again, first cut likely in August The Bank of Korea today left interest rates unchanged (3.5%) for a third consecutive meeting, but we don’t think it will be long before the central bank starts cutting interest rates. With inflation falling …
A strong rebound in tourism provided a big boost to growth in Thailand and Hong Kong last quarter, which along with China, were the three best-performing countries in Emerging Asia in Q1. But for the rest of the region, the GDP figures painted a …
24th May 2023
Fracturing back in the spotlight The worsening relationship between China and the US is set to be one of the key themes of the G7 meeting, now underway in Japan. This dedicated page on our website is the best place to go for our ongoing work on …
19th May 2023
Over the past couple of weeks we have held a series of roundtable discussions with clients across Asia and North America on the outlook for EMs. In this Update we provide our thoughts on the recurring questions that we received, including on China’s …
This dashboard tracks the latest activity data across economies in EM Asia and explores our forecasts for GDP growth. If you can't see the full interactive experience, including all of the charts and tables, and would like to enquire about upgrading, …
The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) today left interest rates unchanged (at 6.25%) but stated it was ready to resume its tightening cycle later in the year. However, with inflation falling back and headwinds to the economy mounting, we expect rates …
18th May 2023
Tightening cycle at an end The central bank in the Philippines today left interest rates unchanged (at 6.25%) but stated it was ready to resume its tightening cycle later in the year. However, with inflation falling back and headwinds to the economy …
A sharp rise in Korean interest rates over the past 18 months is leading to a steep downturn in the property market. Encouragingly, the banking sector looks well placed to cope, but the broader economy is unlikely to escape unscathed. The problems in the …
17th May 2023
Thailand’s general election has delivered a massive victory for the main opposition parties, but this may not be enough to allow them to form the next government. This Update answers five key questions on the election and what it means for the economy. 1) …
15th May 2023
GDP figures released earlier today show the economy bounced back strongly in the first quarter of the year. Provided political stability is maintained, the economy is well placed to grow strongly in 2023. GDP rose by 1.9% q/q in Q1 following the 1.1% fall …
Economic recovery underway Thailand’s election has dominated the headlines over the past 24 hours and we will have more to say on the economic implications later in the day, but GDP figures released just now show the economy bounced back strongly in the …
Close call in the Philippines The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) has tightened monetary policy aggressively over the past year as it has tried to crack down on inflation, which has been much higher than in the rest of the region. Its meeting on …
12th May 2023
The economy expanded in Q1 but failed to completely offset the decline from the previous quarter. Growth is likely to remain weak over the coming quarters as elevated interest rates and weak external demand drag on activity. According to figures published …
Partial rebound, bleak outlook for the year The economy expanded in Q1 but failed to completely offset the decline from Q4, as we had expected. Economic growth is likely to remain weak over the coming quarters as elevated interest rates and weak external …
Growth slowed in Q1 and we expect the economy to weaken further over the coming quarters against a backdrop of weak global demand and high interest rates. According to the advanced estimate published today, GDP rose by 1.1% q/q last quarter, down from …
11th May 2023
Economy set to struggle in 2023 Economic growth slowed in Q1 and we expect the economy to weaken further over the coming quarters against a backdrop of elevated interest rates and weak global demand. According to the advanced estimate published today, GDP …
Note: We’ll be discussing the upcoming Thai general election and the country’s near to long-term economic risks in a 20-minute online briefing at 09:00 BST/16:00 SGT on 11th May. Register now. Provided Thailand’s general election on 14 th May does not set …
8th May 2023
Note: We’ll be discussing the upcoming Thai general election and the country’s near to long-term economic risks in a 20-minute online briefing at 09:00 BST/16:00 SGT on 11th May . Register now. Headline and core inflation both falling The April …
5th May 2023
The Thai economy is poised for recovery this year, but before that the country faces a contentious general election on 14th May which could be a trigger for fresh political unrest. Beyond the near term, the country’s economic potential looks set to be …
Economic growth in Indonesia was unchanged at 5.0% y/y in the first quarter of the year, but we think growth will slow over coming months as tight monetary policy and weaker exports drag on activity. Before the pandemic GDP growth was very close to 5.0% …
Growth likely to slow ahead The economy grew by 5.03% y/y in the first quarter of the year, which was almost the same pace of expansion as that in Q4 2022 (5.01%), but we expect growth to slow in the coming quarters as tight monetary policy and weaker …
The idea of a new BRICS currency to settle trade or hold in reserves instead of the dollar has been doing the rounds recently. This could be modelled on the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights. But getting India on board with China would be difficult. And if the …
4th May 2023
Note: We’re holding a special 20-minute online briefing all about EM debt risks this Thursday at 10:00 EDT/15:00 BST . Register now . Malaysia’s central bank (BNM) unexpectedly raised its main policy rate (OPR) today by 25bps (to 3.0%), citing the …
3rd May 2023
Surprise hike, but no more tightening in 2023 Malaysia’s central bank (BNM) unexpectedly raised its main policy rate today by 25bps (to 3.0%), citing the resilient economy as grounds to “further normalise the degree of monetary accommodation”. However, …
Manufacturing sector remains under pressure A simple average of manufacturing PMIs in Emerging Asia rose slightly in April but this was almost entirely driven by a large jump in Thailand’s headline index to a record high. Weak global demand and high …
2nd May 2023
Auto rebound to prove short lived Automotive production across Asia, which was badly hit during the pandemic by a shortage of semiconductor components, is now rebounding rapidly as this constraint unwinds. The surprise q/q expansion in Q1 Korean GDP …
28th April 2023
Taiwan’s GDP contracted sharply in the first quarter of the year, as a slump in exports put the economy into a technical recession. We think the economy will struggle over the coming quarters as weak external demand and a fading reopening boost drag on …
Economy in recession, weak recovery ahead Taiwan’s GDP contracted sharply in the first quarter of the year, as a slump in exports put the economy into a technical recession. We think the economy will struggle over the coming quarters as weak external …
Vietnam became the first country in the region to start loosening policy when it lowered its refinancing rate at the end of March. We don’t think it will be long before other central banks in Asia start to cut rates, with the Bank of Korea set to be next, …
26th April 2023
GDP in Korea rose slightly during the first quarter of the year but we think the economy faces a difficult year ahead as high interest rates and weak external demand weigh on output. According to the advance estimate for Q1 GDP published today, the …
25th April 2023
High interest rates and weak external demand to weigh on prospects GDP in Korea rose slightly during the first quarter of the year but we think the economy faces a difficult year ahead as high interest rates and weak external demand weigh on output. Our …
Goods exports to China have struggled National accounts data published this week show that China’s economy expanded by a faster-than-expected 2.2% q/q in the first quarter – taking output 6.8% higher than during the recent trough in Q2 2022. See our China …
21st April 2023
Bank Indonesia (BI) today left interest rates unchanged (at 5.75%), and appeared to signal that further rate increases this year were unlikely. With inflation falling and growth easing, we expect interest rates to be left on hold for the remainder of the …
18th April 2023
On hold for the rest of the year Bank Indonesia (BI) kept its main policy rate unchanged today (at 5.75%), and appeared to signal that further rate increases this year were unlikely. With inflation falling and growth easing, we expect interest rates to be …
Difficult balancing act for the Philippines The US and the Philippines this week began their largest-ever joint military exercises, with 17,000 troops taking part. The exercises follow an agreement in February that provided the US with four more …
14th April 2023
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) kept policy on hold today and with the economy set to struggle and inflation likely to fall sharply over the coming quarters we expect today’s decision to have marked an end to the tightening cycle. The MAS …
MAS keeps policy unchanged while GDP contracts The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) kept monetary policy on hold today and with the economy set to struggle and inflation likely to fall sharply over the coming quarters we expect today’s decision to …
