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Economics

Chief economist update: Not spring yet in the Eurozone

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 6 MAY 2019
Green shoots are appearing in the Eurozone just in time for spring.

Chief economist update: RBA May cut, May not

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 3 MAY 2019
At the end of the day, the RBA will be justified whether or not it lowers interest rates in May, but not because it's politicised or has given in to vested interests.

Chief economist update: Policy of patience

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 2 MAY 2019
The US Federal Reserve just concluded its latest FOMC meeting and decided it best to do nothing but reaffirm its policy of patience - just as you, I and Irene expected.

Chief economist update: S&P raises Duterte ratings

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 1 MAY 2019
You can cry conspiracy, but S&P's latest upgrade to the Philippines' credit rating and its now-positive outlook is like another dole-up of manna from heaven for its Government.

Chief economist update: A good problem to have?

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 30 APR 2019
If not for the bubble - yes, bubble - blowing into the equity market, the US Federal Reserve's problem of continued strong growth and below-target inflation is a good problem to have.

Chief economist update: Inflation is dead

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 29 APR 2019
The days when measured inflation would go from minus 3% to plus 14%, give or take, are no more.

Chief economist update: Lock in two RBA rate cuts

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 26 APR 2019
As the RBA hesitated to cut interest rates, it is now overdue for two rate reductions.

Chief economist update: The Fed pause that refreshes

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 24 APR 2019
You couldn't miss it even if you tried; the S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite Index surpassed their former peaks overnight. And the Dow is not far behind.

Chief economist update: China is back on track

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 23 APR 2019
China deserves to be congratulated. It's watered and fertilised the economy with enough monetary and fiscal stimulus that green shoots are beginning to appear

Chief economist update: China and the spring in its step

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 18 APR 2019
The timely counter-cyclical measures by both the People's Bank of China (PBOC) and the country's fiscal authorities are starting to bear fruit.