China Economics Update More signs that Asia’s recovery is taking its time The slight fall in China’s official PMI in May is actually fairly encouraging since the index usually falls by much more at this time of year. But Asia’s recovery is only gaining ground slowly, as... 1st June 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Thailand ends easing cycle too early The Bank of Thailand (BOT) left its 1-day repo rate on hold at 1.25% today, against our and consensus expectations for a 25bps cut. The weakness of domestic demand and the spectre of sustained... 20th May 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update BoK holds for now, but rates have yet to bottom out The Bank of Korea (BoK) left its policy rate unchanged today, with the focus shifting to big fiscal stimulus plans and direct support for the financial sector instead. The Bank will also have been... 12th May 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Should we trust signs of life in Asian exports? (May 09) There are tentative signs from several Asian economies that exports are starting to recover. Shipments from Asia ex-Japan are still a fifth below their level of a year ago. However, the pace of... 7th May 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update RBA holds for now, but rates have yet to bottom out Signs of stabilisation in the global economy and in domestic confidence convinced the Australian central bank to hold its policy rate steady today. But we feel the RBA is underestimating the weakness... 5th May 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Focus Whatever happened to Asian decoupling? It is not too late to rescue something from the decoupling story. The Asian economies – rather than the US or Europe – should recover quickest from the global recession. However, while Japan is likely... 5th May 2009 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Asian recovery still needs deeper roots There was much to cheer in China’s latest PMI and April’s export data from Korea. But they are consistent with stabilisation rather than either economy springing rapidly back to life. 1st May 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Misplaced optimism in India India’s central bank seems remarkably sanguine about the economic outlook given that even the country’s more optimistic firms are struggling to raise funds for investment and the next government will... 21st April 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thai instability dragging further on growth Seasoned investors are by now used to unrest in Thailand and markets should take the latest flare up in their stride. But political instability will hold back the economy’s recovery, with the result... 15th April 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australian central bank cuts, but rates nearing bottom Australian interest rates were cut again today, but given the central bank’s wait-and-see stance and its relatively upbeat assessment of the outlook, they may not have much further to fall. We are... 7th April 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Weakness spreads from exports to the domestic economy (Mar 09) Asia has already taken a big hit from the slump in exports as the global recession has deepened. But the latest data also show that, with bankruptcies rising, job losses mounting and confidence... 16th March 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian central bank still has a lot more work to do The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to cut the key benchmark rate by 50bp today signals its determination to shore up a flagging economy. But with the key rate still relatively high at 5.0% and... 4th March 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Reserve Bank of Australia still has work to do Today’s unexpected decision to keep rates on hold reflects the resilience of the Australian economy in the last few months. But with business confidence collapsing and a big correction still to come... 3rd March 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Dismal Thai GDP data suggest large rate cut imminent Today’s Q4 GDP numbers underscore the speed at which the Thai economy is deteriorating. With external demand set to contract even more over coming months and domestic demand weakening as well, worse... 23rd February 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update GDP collapse largely made in Taiwan Taiwan’s economy has been hurt by falling global demand but the roots of its weakness lie closer to home. This suggests that Taiwan will fare worse than its neighbours as global demands contracts and... 18th February 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Disappointing budget passes the buck to the RBI The latest fiscal policy initiatives unveiled today in India will not boost its flagging economy. With exports plummeting and industry facing a severe credit crunch, there is increasing pressure on... 16th February 2009 · 1 min read
