Japan Rapid Response Japan External Trade (Apr. 26) Most of the recent strength in exports reflects soaring export prices, while the closure of the Strait of Hormuz resulted in a record plunge in crude oil imports. T 21st May 2026 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Update Asia’s low inflation comes at a rising fiscal cost Inflation across Asia is beginning to diverge sharply, driven largely by differences in how governments are managing rising energy costs. Some economies have allowed higher fuel prices to pass through... 20th May 2026 · 4 mins read
Climate Economics Update China’s electric vehicle exports shift up a gear in April While China’s solar panel and lithium-ion battery exports fell back from record highs in April, the surge in battery electric vehicle exports meant that China’s overall green tech exports remained... 20th May 2026 · 2 mins read
Commodities Update Seasonal dynamics to support natural gas prices in H2 The fact that Asian buyers of LNG from the Middle East have so far curtailed demand has helped to limit the upward pressure on natural gas prices. But even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon, a... 19th May 2026 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update Rate hike would provide only brief respite for rupiah The Indonesian rupiah has continued to slide over the past week and, while we think intervention in the foreign exchange market will remain Bank Indonesia’s primary course of action to prop up the... 18th May 2026 · 4 mins read
Japan Economics Focus The impact of the China shock on Japan’s economy Japan has weathered the China shock well so far, largely because the sharp weakening of the yen has kept Japanese exports competitive. However, the exchange rate is unlikely to keep weakening rapidly... 18th May 2026 · 17 mins read
Asia Economics Update Thailand: growth beats expectations, but economy set to slow Thailand’s growth accelerated in the first quarter of the year, but the economy faces growing headwinds from the conflict in Iran and the surge in global energy prices. Despite recent government... 18th May 2026 · 3 mins read
China Rapid Response China Activity & Spending (Apr. 2026) Domestic headwinds look to have intensified last month, especially when it comes to construction activity. But with external demand picking up and the electronics sector in an upswing, we still think... 18th May 2026 · 3 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly BI meets amid rupiah weakness, Malaysia’s resilience While it is likely to be a close call, we expect Bank Indonesia to keep policy rates unchanged at its upcoming meetings despite rupiah weakness, preferring instead to rely on FX intervention to... 15th May 2026 · 6 mins read
China Economics Update Trump-Xi summit: Truce continues, substance lacking While we are still waiting for full details on what was agreed at the summit between Presidents Trump and Xi, it seems mostly just to have cemented the existing trade truce. This should ensure near... 15th May 2026 · 6 mins read
India Economics Weekly One battle after another for INR, pump prices hiked Policymakers’ concerns about the depreciation of the rupee have again come to the fore this week, but the hike in gold import tariffs has done little to prevent the currency from sliding further... 15th May 2026 · 4 mins read
China Economics Weekly Don’t take a deal at face value, AI investment ramps up A key outcome of President Trump’s previous trip to China in 2017 was a package of “trade and investment deals” that the White House valued at more than $250bn. But the bulk of these deals never... 15th May 2026 · 6 mins read
Japan Economics Weekly Hawkish BoJ lifts 10-year yield to three-decade high The 10-year JGB yield climbed to a three decade high this week in response to hawkish signals from the Bank of Japan and reports that the government will compile a supplementary budget to keep the... 15th May 2026 · 7 mins read
