Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Thailand's Interest Rate Cut: Key Takeaways
Thailand's monetary policy committee has decided to lower the policy interest rate to 2.25%, marking the first cut since 2020. This decision, made during the Bank of Thailand's (BOT) monetary policy meeting on October 16, reflects a response to ongoing economic challenges and tightened financial conditions.
Rate Cut Details
The committee voted 5-2 in favor of the 25 basis point reduction. The cut aims to alleviate the risk that stringent financial conditions could hinder economic growth by facilitating household debt deleveraging. At the end of Q2 2023, Thailand's household debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 89.6%, equating to approximately 16.3 trillion baht ($483 billion), one of the highest levels in Asia.
Economic Outlook
The BOT maintains that the current policy rate is sufficient to manage risks associated with economic growth, inflation, and financial stability. It emphasized the need for a neutral rate that balances economic potential without encouraging long-term financial imbalances.
The next policy review is scheduled for December 18, with projections indicating that the economy will be supported by domestic demand and tourism. Following the meeting, the BOT adjusted its GDP growth forecast for 2024 to 2.7%, up from 2.6%, while slightly lowering the 2025 outlook from 3.0% to 2.9%.
