Thailand's export forecast cut and downside risks to growth
May 20, 2015 04:55 am UTC| Commentary
Thai exports, which constitute c.56% of the countrys GDP, have contracted in each of the first three months of this year. This week, the NESDB cut its 2015 export growth forecast to almost flat (0.2%) from its previously...
Daily Economic Outlook: May 20th 2015
May 20, 2015 04:18 am UTC| Commentary
Following last weeks publication of the May Inflation Report, todays release of the minutes of this months MPC policy meeting is unlikely to shed anyadditional insight into the collective position. Nonetheless, the minutes...
Euro-area economy is strong, but some headwinds are returning
May 19, 2015 23:23 pm UTC| Commentary
Euro-area GDP growth in Q1-2015 outpaced the US and the UK: the picture is emerging of a domestic-demand-driven recovery, supported by structural changes (banks have cleaned up their balance sheets, governments have cut...
South Africa's SARB seen hawkish, but on hold
May 19, 2015 22:26 pm UTC| Commentary
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is expected to hold its repo rate steady at 5.75% on Thursday. However, higher oil prices, a deteriorating domestic food-price outlook and the probability of higher-than-expected...
Hong Kong inflation likely to have edged lower in April
May 19, 2015 22:15 pm UTC| Commentary
Hong Kong will announce April CPI numbers on 21 May. Headline inflation of 4.3% y/y is expected, down from 4.5% in March.The expected drop reflects a stabilising housing component (for now), continuing deflationary...
China's SAFE data shows FX demand, but stability still favoured
May 19, 2015 22:06 pm UTC| Commentary
Chinas FX purchase figures released by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) show that onshore banks net bought USD 17.3bn of foreign currency for themselves and their clients in April.This is lower than the...
US Housing starts very firm in the April report
May 19, 2015 21:36 pm UTC| Commentary
Housing starts were very firm in the April report (1143K vs. est. 1064K), marking a strong bounce after pent up activity through a difficult winter.As the US strategists point out, whats also important is that this lift...