China's retail sales moderated in April

May 15, 2015 05:51 am UTC| Commentary

Chinas retail sales growth moderated to 10.0% y/y in April from 10.2% in March, also missing consensus expectations. As CPI inflation edged higher in April, sales growth in real terms dipped to 9.9% y/y from 10.2%...

China's IP growth softened further from Q1 levels

May 15, 2015 05:49 am UTC| Commentary

Chinas IP growth improved slightly to 5.9% y/y in April from 5.6% in March, reflecting the resumption of production after the late Lunar New Year in 2015. However, the April reading was still weak, lagging the 6.4% y/y...

China's FAI growth slowed sharply

May 15, 2015 05:46 am UTC| Commentary

Chinas FAI data disappointed the market. The sharp fall in investment growth, especially property investment growth, is a headwind to the economy. YTD FAI growth fell to 12% y/y in April from 13.5% in March, according to...

BoK steps up coordination with government; while staying on data dependent mode

May 15, 2015 05:39 am UTC| Commentary

The Bank of Korea remained on hold at its May policy meeting, in line with expectations, after cutting its policy rate 25bp, to 1.75%,on 12 March (the third cut since August 2014 and the sixth since the easing cycle began...

UK RICS house price balance rose from 22% to 33%

May 15, 2015 00:27 am UTC| Commentary

The RICS house price balance rose from 22% to 33%, much stronger than the 22% expected by consensus.Given that house prices rose over the month of April when UK election uncertainty was at its maximum, the RICS reading...

Bank Indonesia expected to lower the BI rate by 25bps

May 14, 2015 22:46 pm UTC| Commentary

Bank Indonesias (BIs) next monetary policy meeting is scheduled for 19 May. The central bank is expected to cut the BI rate 25bps to 7.25%, but keep the overnight deposit facility (FASBI) rate unchanged at 5.50%.Based on...

Bank of Ghana policy rate may remain elevated for longer than expected

May 14, 2015 22:13 pm UTC| Commentary

After the surprise Bank of Ghana (BoG) interest-rate hike earlier this week, the prime rate seen at 21% rather than the previous 19% at end-2015.The BoGs willingness to raise the prime rate to 22% to stabilise the currency...