U.S. Tensions for China: Protected by BRICS and BRI?

October 15, 2024 9:30 AM UTC

BRICS can provide a political buffer but not economic, as BRICS are still searching for practical areas for cooperation.  However, Donald Trump universal tariffs threats could focus BRICS on more intra EM trade. BRI has already helped to redirect China exports to EM countries, despite the slowdown

China Fiscal Stimulus: Details to Follow

October 14, 2024 8:37 AM UTC

Further details of the size of extra central government spending/scaled up local authority purchases of unsold complete homes for affordable housing should be seen late October/early November from the National People Congress.  We estimate Yuan1.5-2.0trn in total of extra spending, which leads us t

China and Japan Debt Compared

October 10, 2024 1:35 PM UTC

China housing crisis will likely mean that household debt/GDP flat lines in the coming years like Japan after 1990 and be a headwind for consumption.  Meanwhile, the downturn in residential construction is already greater than that experienced by Japan after 1990 and in itself will be remain a stru

RBNZ Review: Cutting Along the Playbook

October 9, 2024 1:46 AM UTC

RBNZ cut its cash rate by 50bp to 4.75%

India CPI Preview: Inflation to Surge as Base Effects Fade

October 8, 2024 10:49 AM UTC

Bottom line:India’s September inflation level is expected to trend up to 4.1% y/y, given base effects. Global crude oil prices and heightened geopolitical tensions pose risks to inflation in the near term. Meanwhile, monetary policy is expected to remain tight and policy rate to be retained at 6.5

China: Any Lessons from the 1997-98 Asian Crisis?

October 3, 2024 1:30 PM UTC

Overall, the warning from slow real credit growth on reduced credit supply and demand is the main lesson from the Asia crisis 1997-98.  China High FX reserves; low borrowing overseas and dominance of domestic investors in Yuan markets argues against a currency crisis.  Asia widespread banking cris

Indonesia CPI Review: Cooling Inflation Signals More Rate Cuts Ahead for Indonesia

October 1, 2024 9:25 AM UTC

In September, Indonesia experienced its slowest inflation in nearly three years, driven by a drop in food and transport costs. Core inflation edged up, reflecting price increases in non-essential goods. The ongoing deflationary trend since May, influenced by supply-side factors like strong harvests,

RBI’s October Rate Call: Patience May Prevail Over Pressure

September 30, 2024 6:58 AM UTC

The RBI is expected to keep interest rates unchanged in its October meeting, despite global central banks initiating rate cuts. Domestic inflation concerns and uncertainties over MPC appointments are likely to drive a cautious "wait-and-watch" approach, with potential easing only by December. 

Asia/Pacific (ex-China/Japan) Outlook: Shifting Gears for Growth

September 25, 2024 7:57 AM UTC

Emerging Asian economies are poised to remain the fastest growing globally. India and Southeast Asia will drive regional resilience amid China’s cooling growth engine in 2025. For India, while the external environment remains challenging due to weaker global demand and geopolitical tensions, domes

China Outlook: Unbalanced Growth and Slowing

September 24, 2024 8:54 AM UTC

      Growth is benefitting from momentum in public investment/exports and high tech production.  However, domestic demand is slower and this is a drag on H2 2024 and 2025 growth prospects.  Aside from the ongoing negative drag from the residential construction crisis, consumption is also softe

Equities Outlook: Choppy U.S. and Outperformance Elsewhere

September 24, 2024 8:30 AM UTC

 •     We now forecast 5450 for the S&P500 for end 2024, but could see a move to 5200/5000 in the next 3-6 months as volatile data keeps the soft v hard landing debate alive.  On our baseline of a U.S. soft landing, we would see the S&P500 at 5600 by end 2025. The tech sector is still really i

Japan Outlook: A Hawkish Take

September 24, 2024 5:30 AM UTC

·       GDP growth for 2024 has been revised lower to +0.2% after the consumption contraction in Q1 2024 and the subsequent sluggish recovery in Q2. Private consumption is expected to pick up along improving real wages but its magnitude will be limited by the unwillingness to consume at high

BoJ Preview: Signaling More Tigthening

September 19, 2024 7:38 AM UTC

The BoJ will likely keep rate unchanged in the Sep 20 meeting with forward guidance of more tightening to come

China Banking Stress Tests: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

September 18, 2024 8:05 AM UTC

The good news is that China’s 19 major domestic systemically important banks (D-SIB’s and 72% of loans) hold up well under most solvency and liquidity tests, though some capital shortfalls start to appear with a moderate or severe NPL sensitivity shock scenario.  The safety net would likely be

Bank Indonesia Preview: Rupiah Defense - BI to Hold Rates, Eye Future Easing

September 16, 2024 8:24 AM UTC

Easing food inflation saw headline CPI decline to 2.1% yr/yr in July. Nonetheless, price pressures from a weakening IDR persist. Bank Indonesia will likely hold rates till Q4-2024. 

India CPI Review: India's Inflation Edges Up to 3.65% in August, Staying Below RBI Target

September 16, 2024 6:55 AM UTC

Bottom line: India’s August rose to 3.6% yr/yr, rising marginally from 3.53% y/y in July, reflecting higher food prices. Anticipate increased inflation over Q4, as festive demand drives up prices and the high base effects drop out of the equation. 

India CPI Review: Easing Prices, but Monsoon Risks Loom

September 10, 2024 9:14 AM UTC

Bottom line: India’s August inflation level is expected to trend down to 3.5% yr/yr, from 3.53% y/y in July, reflecting higher base effects. Interest rate cut is unlikely though as the RBI perceives this as a temporary reprieve. 

China Equities: More of the Same or Game changing Policies

September 9, 2024 9:15 AM UTC

 We remain strategically underweight China Equities in global and EM equity baskets, due to the structural slowing of growth and low EPS prospects. Event risk around the U.S. presidential election will also start to be considered.  Further targeted policies from China authorities could cause inter

Indonesia CPI Review: Food Price Pressures Ease

September 3, 2024 10:12 AM UTC

Easing food inflation saw headline CPI decline to 2.12% yr/yr in August. Nonetheless, price pressures from a weakening IDR persist. Bank Indonesia will likely hold rates till Q4-2024. 

China Harder Landing Scenario

September 2, 2024 10:55 AM UTC

 We see a 30% probability of a harder landing in China GDP growth in 2025, which we most likely be in the 3-4% region but could persist into 2026 (Figure 1).  A large than projected slowdown in consumption would be a key concern, alongside persistently moderate negative deductions from residential

China Consumer Volatility

August 28, 2024 1:30 PM UTC

China consumption patterns are divergent; slowing and becoming more volatile at a sub sector level.  Less certainty over new employment and wage growth, plus wealth worries over housing are some of the causes.  We forecast GDP to slow in H2 and be 4.0% in 2025.

Indonesia's Election Law Drama: Court Rulings and Political Fallout

August 27, 2024 6:57 AM UTC

In a dramatic turn of events, Indonesia's parliament abandoned its plan to amend electoral laws. The parliament had recently planned to amend the country's electoral laws, aiming to overturn pivotal decisions by the Constitutional Court. The proposed changes, which have sparked widespread controvers

Hajj Surge and Trade Squeeze Drive Indonesia's Q2 Deficit Higher

August 26, 2024 6:58 AM UTC

Indonesia's current account deficit widened to US$ 3.0bn in Q2 2024, driven by a higher services deficit from increased Hajj travel and a narrowing trade surplus. Strong portfolio investment inflows helped offset some pressures, but FDI inflows fell sharply. The H1 deficit reached US$ 5.4bn, up from

Rupiah Gains Ground: BI Stays Cautious on Rate Cuts

August 22, 2024 11:26 AM UTC

Bank Indonesia held its key interest rate at 6.25% to stabilise the rupiah and attract FX inflows, while maintaining interventions in the FX and bond markets. Inflation remains within target, and GDP growth forecasts are steady. Future rate cuts depend on US Federal Reserve actions. A 25bps cut is e

China Housing Bailout: More Needed

August 21, 2024 9:00 AM UTC

Though China’s authorities have taken some action to help the residential construction sector, the negative drags from the huge excess completed housing and uncompleted projects continues to weigh directly on the construction/steel and cement sector and consumer confidence. Aggressive policy actio

Indonesia's 2025 Draft Budget: A High-Stakes Gamble on Growth and Subsidies

August 20, 2024 6:24 AM UTC

Indonesia's 2025 budget is a high-risk gamble, with potential for the fiscal deficit to breach the 3% of GDP legal threshold. The ambitious revenue targets and planned spending cuts pose significant challenges, particularly in a low commodity price environment. The reliance on optimistic tax revenue

China Data: Soft Start to Q3

August 15, 2024 6:40 AM UTC

Overall, the July data is consistent with our forecast of a weaker H2 and we still look for 4.7% GDP growth for 2024.  The data is also consistent with our forecast of 4.0% in 2025 GDP growth.  Consumption behavior could stall further and cause more of a drag than we anticipate and we now see a 30

RBNZ Review: Begin Cutting

August 14, 2024 4:32 AM UTC

RBNZ cut its cash rate by 25bp to 5.25%

Market Turbulence and What has Changed?

August 13, 2024 12:22 PM UTC

 •   We see the recent market turbulence as being partially a reduction in risky positions.  However, the U.S. economy is slowing and triggering a debate about a soft or harder landing (we see slowing rather than recession in our baseline), while EZ data shows the recovery is not gaining moment

Despite Favourable Metrics RBI Committed to Tightening

August 11, 2024 5:03 PM UTC

The RBI will retained its stance of withdrawal of accomodation and maintained benchmark rate of 6.5% in its August meeting, staying on the path of inflation target. Concerns around high food inflation and geopolitical instability ensured that the RBI remained committed to its monetary tightening sta

Monsoon Boost or Policy Shift? RBI Faces Critical Decision

August 5, 2024 6:34 AM UTC

The calls for a rate cut are rising in the Indian market, but this is unlikely to impact the RBI's upcoming decision. The RBI will retain its stance of withdrawal of accomodation and maintain benchmark rate of 6.5% in its August meeting, staying on the path of inflation target. Concerns around high

Indonesia Q2 GDP Preview: Slight Easing After a Robust Start

August 4, 2024 8:00 PM UTC

Bottom line: Indonesia's Q2 GDP growth is expected to ease to 5% yr/yr. While government consumption is expected to have remained stable, moderation in Indonesia's external sector will hold growth back. Additionally, with no longer the boost from festive demand, private consumption is also expected

Easing Price Pressures to Influence Bank Indonesia Trajectory

August 4, 2024 2:11 PM UTC

Easing food inflation saw headline CPI decline to 2.1% yr/yr in July. Nonetheless, price pressures from a weakening IDR persist. Bank Indonesia will likely hold rates till Q4-2024. 

BoJ Review: Too hawkish, too fast

July 31, 2024 5:39 AM UTC

BoJ hiked rates to 0.25% and announced 3 trillion JPY bond purchases reduction in two years

BoJ Preview: Reduction in Bond Purchase

July 29, 2024 4:27 AM UTC

BoJ will likely decrease bond purchase from six trillion JPY to at least five trillion.

China: The Squeezed Middle and Bottom 50%

July 23, 2024 8:15 AM UTC

Uncertainty over income and employment, adverse wealth effects from lower house prices, plus growing risk aversion, will likely mean that consumption continues to struggle. This is one of the key reasons why we forecast slower H2 GDP growth and look for 4% in 2025.

China: Surprise 7 Day Reverse Repo Rate Cut

July 22, 2024 8:41 AM UTC

China 10bps cut in the 7 day reverse repo rate and 1 and 5yr Loan Prime Rate (LPR) was sooner than expected, as a move had not been anticipated until the Fed cuts rates.  However, this is not the start of a new aggressive policy phase, but rather a tactical move given the targeted nature of easing.

Stable Rupiah, Steady Growth: Inside Bank Indonesia's Latest Rate Decision

July 17, 2024 1:13 PM UTC

Bank Indonesia held its key interest rate at 6.25% to stabilize the rupiah and attract FX inflows, while maintaining interventions in the FX and bond markets. Inflation remains within target, and GDP growth forecasts are steady. Future rate cuts depend on US Federal Reserve actions. A 25bps cut is e

China: Retail Sales Drags Q2 GDP

July 15, 2024 7:33 AM UTC

We are revising down our 2024 GDP forecast from 4.9% to 4.7%, both due to the weaker than expected Q2 GDP figure but also the weak underlying momentum of consumption.  Some further targeted policy measures are likely in the coming months, but will struggle to lift economic momentum.

India CPI Preview: Weather Disruptions to Propel Headline Inflation

July 11, 2024 7:49 AM UTC

Bottom line: India’s June inflation level is expected to trend up to 4.9% y/y, rising from 4.7% y/y in May, reflecting higher food prices. The persisting heatwaves and the advance of the monsoon and its impact on produce will weigh on food prices in the near term, which could potentially see price

China: Weak CPI and M2 Trends

July 10, 2024 7:27 AM UTC

China disinflation process is clear in the June CPI data, with excess production and soft consumer spending producing a lower than expected outcome.  Combined with weak M2 money growth, parts of China economy remain weak and point to a softening of GDP growth in H2.  However, policy action will li