Archive for May, 2011
File not found. Monetary Tightening Without A Central Bank
Hong Kong banking sector has tighten monetary “policy” by itself without any intervention from the Hong Kong Moentary Authority, the de facto central bank.
Hong Kong Economy: GDP Grew By 7.2% In Q1 2011
Gross Domestic Product increased by 7.2% in real term compared to a year ago, vs. 6.2% in the previous quarter, beating consensus of 5.5%.
Hong Kong, Real Estate. 13 May, 2011, 16:17
More Thoughts On Hong Kong Land Auctions
Good land auction results does not mean that real estate prices must go up in the future. In fact, it can actually mean nothing.
Debunking 3 Myths Of HKD-USD Currency Peg And Its Relationship With Property Prices
Here are 3 of the biggest myths regarding the impact of currency peg on Hong Kong property market. None of them are necessarily true all the time, but everyone is taking them for granted.
China Economy: Slowdown Underway
The Chinese government is still determined to tighten policy, but taking recent data together, the probability of a significant slowdown has increased.
People’s Bank of China Raises Reserve Requirement Ratio By 50bp
People’s Bank of China just raised the reserve requirement ratio by 50 basis points, effective from 18 May, confirming its tightening stance remains unchanged.
Hong Kong, Real Estate. 12 May, 2011, 17:00
Hong Kong Property: Three Sites Sold In A Land Auction
Three residential sites were sold in a government land auction today, all at prices near the high-end of market expections.
China, Real Estate. 12 May, 2011, 13:35
China’s Banks Tightened Lending For Home Mortgages
Some banks in China are voluntarily raising the down-payment requirement for mortgage lending from 30% to 40%.
China May Cut Interest Rates? Unless It Wants Stagflation
An economist in a Chinese planning agency suggested that the PBOC may cut interest rates in the second half of 2011 because “growth momentum is waning”.
China, Real Estate. 11 May, 2011, 16:37
China Real Estate: Investment Is Still Growing Fast
Real estate investment is still growing rapidly, thought the growth of bank loans as a source of fund decreases, reflecting tigher bank credit.
China: Monetary Statistics For April 2011
Money supply growth continues to moderate. M2 grew by 15.3% on the year-on-year basis, now below the pre-crisis average growth rate.
China: Inflation Stays High At 5.3% In April 2011
CPI inflation stays at 5.3% vs. the consensus of 5.2%. Food prices are showing signs of moderating, but prices in other categories are still rising.
China Economy: Bulls vs. Bears (Round 2)
Extreme complacency is still present among the most bullish China bulls, who seem to think that good things can go on forever.
Wang Qishan And Tim Geithner Talked To Charlie Rose
Wang Qishan and Tim Geithner talked to Charlie Rose on US-China economic relationship and others.
China: Trade Surplus Increased Sharply To US$11.4 Billion In April 2011
China’s trade surplus jumped sharply from US$139 million in March to US$11.4 billion in April.
Expect Nothing From The Third Round Of U.S.-China Strategic And Economic Dialogue 2011
Expect minimal progress on the US-China economic relationship, particularly on foreign exchange policy and trade.
China: The Low Probability And High Impact Worst Case Scenario
We now have a generation of people who only remember a China which grows strongly. As a result, the worst case scenartio is inconceivable for most.
Eurozone Update: A Second Bailout For Greece Possible
Greece may require a second bailout from the European rescue fund. Quitting Euro is not an option currently on the table.
Economy. 8 May, 2011, 3:49
What’s Happened In Japan Two Decades Ago?
Over the weekend, let us look at some very old news (more than 20 years ago) and look at what happened in Japan in its heyday.
Rumour: Greece May Quit The Eurozone
Der Spiegel reports Greece is considering leaving the Eurozone and returning to its own currency, sources told the German newspaper.