Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>RBI's MPC cut its policy repo rate by 50bp (to 5.5%, implying cuts totalling 100bp in the past half year), and also a phased 100bp cut in CRR by Dec'25. </li>
<li>Despite CPI inflation moderating below 3.2%YoY in Apr'25, the RBI has only slightly lowered its inflation forecast for FY26 to 3.7% (from 4%), and hence returned to a neutral stance. </li>
<li>Given an above-normal monsoon, already strong Rabi crop, and low crude oil prices, we expect CPI inflation to average less than 3%YoY in Jun-Dec'25, allowing 75bp of further rate cuts. </li>
</ul>


RBI's MPC cut its policy repo rate by 50bp (to 5.5%, implying cuts totalling 100bp in the past half year), and also a phased 100bp cut in CRR by Dec'25. 
Despite CPI inflation moderating below 3.2%YoY in Apr'25, the RBI has only slightly lowered its inflation forecast for FY26 to 3.7% (from 4%), and hence returned to a neutral stance. 
Given an above-normal monsoon, already strong Rabi crop, and low crude oil prices, we expect CPI inflation to average less than 3%YoY in Jun-Dec'25, allowing 75bp of further rate cuts. 


India: 50bp Rate Cut, 100bp of CRR Cuts Pave the Way for Faster RGDP Growth

<ul>
<li>RBI's failure to cut the policy rate at its last two policy meetings is a policy error. Although vegetables caused a headline-inflation spurt, core inflation moderated to 2.7%YoY in Sep'24. </li>
<li>High real interest rates have caused real GDP to decelerate to 6.7%YoY in Apr-Jun'24, and industrial output to decline in Aug'24. The policy error is hurting the economy. </li>
<li>Cleverer stance would be to take every opportunity to cut rates when headline inflation is at/below target. When vegetable prices hold policy hostage, it hits investor confidence. (Evidence: FX Reserves).  </li>
</ul>


RBI's failure to cut the policy rate at its last two policy meetings is a policy error. Although vegetables caused a headline-inflation spurt, core inflation moderated to 2.7%YoY in Sep'24. 
High real interest rates have caused real GDP to decelerate to 6.7%YoY in Apr-Jun'24, and industrial output to decline in Aug'24. The policy error is hurting the economy. 
Cleverer stance would be to take every opportunity to cut rates when headline inflation is at/below target. When vegetable prices hold policy hostage, it hits investor confidence. (Evidence: FX Reserves).  


India: Clear Policy Error Despite Food-Driven Spurt in Sep'24 Inflation

Head of Research, Steno Research

Emil Moller

Head of Research

Macro and Geopolitical Research House

Steno Research

Steno Research is a new macro and geopolitical research house. We are based out of Copenhagen, Denmark, but have an international team and a strong network of sources and partners around the world. The team is lead by Andreas Steno, previous global head of strategy at Nordea Bank, and Mikkel Rosenvold, former chief consultant in the Danish Ministry of Finance.

<ul>
<li>Just as the markets were speculating about which spring month would see the first Fed rate cut of the cycle, a surprisingly high CPI report from the BLS swiftly dispelled any lingering dovish sentiment that had survived the recent NFP announcement.</li>
<li>We’ve analyzed both the CPI data (see here) and the current labor market in detail (see here), and although there are signs of cooling, it’s difficult to counter the recent adjustments in the OIS curve.</li>
<li>This suggests that USD assets remain the focal point, and for the foreseeable future, EM macro strategies should lean towards spread/receiving rather than expecting an NVDA-like bull run in equities</li>
</ul>


Just as the markets were speculating about which spring month would see the first Fed rate cut of the cycle, a surprisingly high CPI report from the BLS swiftly dispelled any lingering dovish sentiment that had survived the recent NFP announcement.
We’ve analyzed both the CPI data (see here) and the current labor market in detail (see here), and although there are signs of cooling, it’s difficult to counter the recent adjustments in the OIS curve.
This suggests that USD assets remain the focal point, and for the foreseeable future, EM macro strategies should lean towards spread/receiving rather than expecting an NVDA-like bull run in equities


Asia biased macro & technical analysis, Untying The Gordian Knot

Untying The Gordian Knot

Asia biased macro & technical analysis

A differentiated process with a primary focus on Asia. Technical Analysis as core and Macro drivers that could bring the view to fruition & changes that could make the idea fall apart. The objective is to be the best in class, hence corner shop.

<div data-attrs='{"url":"https://gordianknot.substack.com/subscribe?","text":"Subscribe"}'><div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><div><ul><li><span style="font-size: var(--content-font-size);">To a 180-degree flip at the End of the Dollar hegemony and reserve system, opinions were pushed aggressively over mainstream CNN, FOX News networks, News Headlines, and fringe opinion makers looking for click baits.</span></li><li>We look at sentiment shift, and is it different from when Dollar peaked in October 2022?</li><li>We cover JPY, CNY, KRW, INR, TWD, AUD, CHF, EUR &amp; GBP charts. We have added equity and rates charts in China, India, and Korea where possible to help corroborate cross-market analysis.</li></ul></div></form></div></div>

To a 180-degree flip at the End of the Dollar hegemony and reserve system, opinions were pushed aggressively over mainstream CNN, FOX News networks, News Headlines, and fringe opinion makers looking for click baits.We look at sentiment shift, and is it different from when Dollar peaked in October 2022?We cover JPY, CNY, KRW, INR, TWD, AUD, CHF, EUR &amp; GBP charts. We have added equity and rates charts in China, India, and Korea where possible to help corroborate cross-market analysis.

Podcast Exploring Themes Driving Global Markets, Nomura - The Week Ahead

Nomura – The Week Ahead

Podcast Exploring Themes Driving Global Markets

Nomura - The Week Ahead

We explore the main themes that will drive global markets over the coming week, discussing the key market moving events and risks to keep on your radar.

FX & Rates

<ul><li>Trump plans to put serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada due to immigration and drug issues, impacting Asian currencies</li><li>US and UK CPI data in focus for the week ahead, with expectations of higher inflation</li><li>Currency depreciation pressures in Asia expected to continue, with China and Korea most vulnerable to depreciation pressures</li></ul><p><em>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.</em></p>

Trump plans to put serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada due to immigration and drug issues, impacting Asian currenciesUS and UK CPI data in focus for the week ahead, with expectations of higher inflationCurrency depreciation pressures in Asia expected to continue, with China and Korea most vulnerable to depreciation pressuresThis content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

The Week Ahead – CPI, China, and Currencies

India

The Indian rupee is the official currency of India. 

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India: 50bp Rate Cut, 100bp of CRR Cuts Pave the Way for Faster RGDP Growth

We forecast 8.5% real GDP growth in FY26, with another 75bp of rate cuts by Dec'25 (after 100bp cuts in Feb-Jun'25) boosting fixed investment,...

Prasenjit K. Basu

India: Clear Policy Error Despite Food-Driven Spurt in Sep'24 Inflation

Veg prices can't be controlled by monetary policy, so RBI should've cut rates in Aug & Oct'24, with core & headline inflation below target. Policy...

Prasenjit K. Basu

EM by EM #43: Rand’s Reckoning?

Just as the markets were speculating about which spring month would see the first Fed rate cut of the cycle, a surprisingly high CPI report from...

Steno Research

US Dollar is Dead Redux

This note extensively focuses on sentiment as the market is overwhelmed with the Negative Dollar narrative that is mainstream. And it begs the...

Untying The Gordian Knot

The Week Ahead – CPI, China, and Currencies

Trump suggests implementing tariffs to stop immigration from Mexico and Canada, US and UK CPI data expected to be higher, Fed may be hawkish on...

Nomura – The Week Ahead

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