Asia Economics Update Asia’s low inflation comes at a rising fiscal cost Inflation across Asia is beginning to diverge sharply, driven largely by differences in how governments are managing rising energy costs. Some economies have allowed higher fuel prices to pass through... 20th May 2026 · 4 mins read
Climate Economics Update China’s electric vehicle exports shift up a gear in April While China’s solar panel and lithium-ion battery exports fell back from record highs in April, the surge in battery electric vehicle exports meant that China’s overall green tech exports remained... 20th May 2026 · 2 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update RBNZ to stay put, while maintaining policy optionality The RBNZ is likely to leave rates on hold at its meeting next Wednesday, while stressing that it stands prepared to tighten policy if inflationary pressures show signs of persistence. In our baseline... 20th May 2026 · 7 mins read
Commodities Update Seasonal dynamics to support natural gas prices in H2 The fact that Asian buyers of LNG from the Middle East have so far curtailed demand has helped to limit the upward pressure on natural gas prices. But even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon, a... 19th May 2026 · 4 mins read
Global Commercial Property Update Care home demand to boom in Asia and North America The long-term demographic drivers of care home demand are well-rehearsed, but there is likely to be a degree of offset from factors that will keep more seniors living at home for longer. Nevertheless... 19th May 2026 · 6 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Rapid Response RBA Minutes (May 2026) Given the RBA’s ongoing concerns about inflation expectations becoming unanchored, we think it will tighten policy a bit further still. 19th May 2026 · 2 mins read
Event Asia Drop-In: What would $150 oil mean for Asian economies and markets? 28th May 2026, 9:00AM BST The risk of a substantial rise in oil prices increases with every day that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Asia Economics Update Rate hike would provide only brief respite for rupiah The Indonesian rupiah has continued to slide over the past week and, while we think intervention in the foreign exchange market will remain Bank Indonesia’s primary course of action to prop up the... 18th May 2026 · 4 mins read
Japan Economics Focus The impact of the China shock on Japan’s economy Japan has weathered the China shock well so far, largely because the sharp weakening of the yen has kept Japanese exports competitive. However, the exchange rate is unlikely to keep weakening rapidly... 18th May 2026 · 17 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: growth beats expectations, but economy set to slow Thailand’s growth accelerated in the first quarter of the year, but the economy faces growing headwinds from the conflict in Iran and the surge in global energy prices. Despite recent government... 18th May 2026 · 3 mins read
China Rapid Response China Activity & Spending (Apr. 2026) Domestic headwinds look to have intensified last month, especially when it comes to construction activity. But with external demand picking up and the electronics sector in an upswing, we still think... 18th May 2026 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update Tax changes not a major threat to housing market Some commentators have been arguing that the tax changes announced in last week’s Budget will end the 30-year super cycle in housing. By contrast, we’re not convinced that the attractiveness of... 18th May 2026 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly BI meets amid rupiah weakness, Malaysia’s resilience While it is likely to be a close call, we expect Bank Indonesia to keep policy rates unchanged at its upcoming meetings despite rupiah weakness, preferring instead to rely on FX intervention to... 15th May 2026 · 6 mins read
China Economics Update Trump-Xi summit: Truce continues, substance lacking While we are still waiting for full details on what was agreed at the summit between Presidents Trump and Xi, it seems mostly just to have cemented the existing trade truce. This should ensure near... 15th May 2026 · 6 mins read
