South Korea August current account: more recycling of the surplus
Oct 02, 2015 02:28 am UTC| Commentary
The current account narrowed to USD8.5bn in August (July: USD9.3bn; June: USD12.1bn), sharply above the forecast of USD6.5bn. The reasons for the smaller surplus were consistent with the previous month - a narrowing in the...
INR bond market liberalisation takes a leap forward
Oct 02, 2015 02:20 am UTC| Commentary
RBI releases transparent medium-term framework for greater foreign investment in IGBs. Allowed foreign investment in central government bonds will be increased by USD18.2bn over the next 10 quarters. The RBI announced that...
Implications of MAS policy on SGD rates
Oct 02, 2015 02:10 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks
It is believed that re-centring would provide the best outcome for fixed income markets as markets price out uncertainty around further MAS easing. On the other hand, a move to a zero slope would be the worst outcome for...
US September ISM didn’t drop below 50 but it might as well have
Oct 02, 2015 02:02 am UTC| Commentary
US September ISM didnt drop below 50 but it might as well have. The overall reading of 50.2 was a full point below Augusts and 3.5 points below Junes - a third consecutive drop in as many months. Orders were notably flat...

Singapore PMIs continue to disappoint
Oct 02, 2015 01:48 am UTC| Commentary
Singapore PMIs continue to disappoint, pointing to more downside risks on the manufacturing sector. Latest manufacturing PMI slumped to 48.6, down from 49.3 previously. This is the lowest reading since Dec12. Likewise,...
South Korea's growth still in line with expectations
Oct 02, 2015 01:44 am UTC| Commentary
The latest trade and manufacturing data were not as bad as feared. Exports fell 8.3% (YoY) in Sep, a smaller decline compared to -14.9% in Aug and better than the consensus forecast of -11.8%. Contrary to expectations for...
Japan faces risk of a technical recession
Oct 01, 2015 23:05 pm UTC| Commentary Economy
The risk of a technical recession has emerged due to the weakness in recent data. Industrial production contracted 0.5% (MoM sa) in Aug15, the second consecutive month of decline, reflecting the deterioration in exports...