Markets

The current strategic environment in the Asia Pacific can be characterised by an intensifying competition (mixed with some cooperation) between China and the US. As the strategic competition between these two countries is likely to intensify, whether they prefer to...

1. Turkey looks to have a coalition government for the first time since 2002.  2. Brazil’s central bank is reducing its rollover of FX swaps.  3. Hungary recorded the first positive y/y CPI reading in 8 months.  4. MSCI deferred...

The US dollar is set to close the week on a strong note.  The relatively constructive data is boosting confidence that the Federal Reserve will have the opportunity it has been looking for to begin, however gradual, the normalization of...

Going by the growing investment opportunities in emerging markets, their popularity with investors from the developed economies is not dying down any time soon. Most of the investors are looking for high returns that their mature markets cannot offer, and...

Indonesia faces a serious infrastructure crisis, which could slow or even halt its economic development if not addressed effectively. Today, only 81 percent of households have modern access to electricity, only 61 percent are connected to sanitation systems and only...

The Narendra Modi-led government came to power with an overwhelming mandate in May 2014 and, broadly speaking, seems to be on the right track. The Narendra Modi-led government came to power with an overwhelming mandate in May 2014 and, broadly...

Much has been written about the impact of remittance inflows on economic and social outcomes, including economic development, inequality, and poverty. However, little is known about the effect they have on the attitude of remittance recipients to democracy in sub-Saharan...

EM has started the week on a weak footing.  The results of the Turkish elections knocked the lira down over 3% and the BIST down nearly 6%.  More broadly speaking, the uncertainty surrounding the Greek situation along with the risk...

Thailand’s military-led government has invoked Article 44 of the interim constitution to replace martial law. The controversial article vests complete power and authority with Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha in his capacity as head of the National Council for Peace...

1) Political risk is rising in Colombia, 2) Petrobras issued debt for the first time in six months, 3) The Russian central bank suspended some FX auctions, stepping up measures to counter RUB strength, 4) Tensions between Ukraine and Russia...

For a quarter of a century, China's economic crash theory has been a lucrative cottage industry in the West. However, there is a reason why certain times favor the doomsayers.  At the turn of the millennium, Gordon Chang’s The Coming...

The media often depicts a European Union that is unraveling.  The financial crisis, high unemployment, and demands for austerity for as far as the eye can see have undermined confident in the European project.  Syriza and Podemos from the Left and...

Japan–Australia security ties are now stronger than ever. Both countries have a long history of cooperation in multilateral contexts such as peacekeeping missions or regional institution building but recently this has been strengthened to include more direct bilateral and trilateral...

EM assets are starting the week off on a soft note, picking up where we left off last week.  The usual culprits can be cited:  firmer US dollar, softer commodity prices, global growth slowing, and Fed tightening concerns.  However, the...

1) Brazil’s Senate finally approved the much discussed fiscal measure, 2) Poland’s ruling party lost control of the presidency, 3) The conflict in the South China Sea is heating up again, 4) The key JPY/KRW cross has fallen to its...