Exports and consumption stay robust – DBS

DBS Group strategists Taimur Baig and Nathan Chow forecast Vietnam’s goods exports to maintain strong double-digit growth at 27% year-on-year in August 2026, led by electronics and supported by external demand. Retail sales and tourism-related spending are seen as resilient, while headline inflation is expected to hold at 4.4%, below May’s peak but still elevated […]

BoK tightening supports KRW against US Dollar – Commerzbank

Commerzbank’s Charlie Lay reports that the Bank of Korea (BoK) delivered a second consecutive 25 bp hike to 3.0% and kept a tightening bias, supporting KRW after its sharp appreciation since June. The bank expects a near-term pause but sees scope for another hike to 3.25% if growth and core inflation stay firm, with USD/KRW […]

BoK front-loading hikes as KRW consolidates – Commerzbank

Commerzbank’s Charlie Lay reports the Bank of Korea has delivered back-to-back 25bp hikes to 3.0%, front-loading tightening as growth and core inflation forecasts rise. The bank signals one more hike over six months but may pause to assess effects. Despite strong fundamentals and a huge current-account surplus, further KRW gains versus USD are expected to […]