Articles
1 August 2019

ASEAN Morning Bytes

General market tone: Risk-off.

Asian markets are likely to follow their US counterpart lower after Fed Chairman Powell dampened hopes of an aggressive easing cycle ahead.

EM Space: Powell disappoints doves, traders to pull back on Thursday

  • General Asia: We see little in a slew of Asian economic data today to change the course for the regional markets, which are likely to follow their US counterpart lower after Fed Chairman Powell dampened hopes of an aggressive easing cycle ahead.
  • Indonesia: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts Indonesia's growth to hit 5.2% in 2019 and 2020 on steady investments and domestic demand. Furthermore, the IMF sees scope for further central bank policy easing, which squares with similar hints from Bank Indonesia's Governor Warjiyo.
  • Thailand: We expect today’s July CPI data release to show a further dip in the inflation rate to 0.8% YoY from 0.9% in June (consensus 1.0%) with the continued decline in transport prices outweighing rising food price inflation due to drought. Meanwhile, June current account surprised on the downside with $3.9 billion of surplus, though still forms a key driver of the currency strength. Even if the THB appreciation was nearly stalled in July, the year-to-date 5.8% gain has been keeping imported inflation from global oil price at bay. We believe the economy is screaming for stimulus and we are convinced that the Bank of Thailand will follow the US Fed in cutting rates next week.
  • Philippines: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) forecasts inflation for the month of July to settle between 2.0-2.8% as prices for rice and utilities slide on improved supply conditions and lower global crude oil prices. With continuing to be tame, we expect the BSP to cut policy rates next week as GDP growth likely to have stayed below 6% again in 2Q.

What to look out for: Trade talks and US NFP

  • Taiwan PMI manufacturing (1 August)
  • China Caixin PMI manufacturing (1 August)
  • Thailand inflation (1 August)
  • Hong Kong retail sales (1 August)
  • US ISM manufacturing PMI (1 August)
  • Indonesia inflation (1 August)
  • Malaysia trade (2 August)
  • US non-farm payrolls (2 August)

Disclaimer

"THINK Outside" is a collection of specially commissioned content from third-party sources, such as economic think-tanks and academic institutions, that ING deems reliable and from non-research departments within ING. ING Bank N.V. ("ING") uses these sources to expand the range of opinions you can find on the THINK website. Some of these sources are not the property of or managed by ING, and therefore ING cannot always guarantee the correctness, completeness, actuality and quality of such sources, nor the availability at any given time of the data and information provided, and ING cannot accept any liability in this respect, insofar as this is permissible pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations.

This publication does not necessarily reflect the ING house view. This publication has been prepared solely for information purposes without regard to any particular user's investment objectives, financial situation, or means. The information in the publication is not an investment recommendation and it is not investment, legal or tax advice or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any financial instrument. Reasonable care has been taken to ensure that this publication is not untrue or misleading when published, but ING does not represent that it is accurate or complete. ING does not accept any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from any use of this publication. Unless otherwise stated, any views, forecasts, or estimates are solely those of the author(s), as of the date of the publication and are subject to change without notice.

The distribution of this publication may be restricted by law or regulation in different jurisdictions and persons into whose possession this publication comes should inform themselves about, and observe, such restrictions.

Copyright and database rights protection exists in this report and it may not be reproduced, distributed or published by any person for any purpose without the prior express consent of ING. All rights are reserved.

ING Bank N.V. is authorised by the Dutch Central Bank and supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB), the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) and the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). ING Bank N.V. is incorporated in the Netherlands (Trade Register no. 33031431 Amsterdam).