Jan 13, 2009
Asia could recover in Q2
By Alvin Foo
MASSIVE policy responses and a sharp fall in commodity prices should fuel an economic recovery in Asia, which could come as early as the second quarter this year.
Thus, the region could see a V-shaped recovery, but it would not be as fast as the rebound from previous crises.
This latest view came from HSBC on Tuesday at a media briefing on its Asian outlook for 2009.
'The cavalry is on its way in the form of the most significant policy response ever,' said its senior Asian economist Robert Prior-Wandesforde.
There could also be light at the end of the technical recession tunnel for Singapore.
Lower inflation due to falling commodity prices, a supportive policy environment with expected fiscal easing and improving regional trade are set to fuel an end-2009 recovery.
On the financial markets front, HSBC expects continued volatility in Asian stocks for the year, expecting regional markets to end either 10 per cent higher or lower from their current levels this year.
But it added that 2009 will be nowhere near as bad as 2008, when Asian equities plunged by 53 per cent.
It urges investors to stick to 'a portfolio of blue-chip household-name stocks', which 'should give decent upside during the upswings, but avoid excessive downside risk during the corrections.'
HSBC analyst Garry Evans added: 'Our advice is that investors should take a little cyclical exposure while sticking to quality.'
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Money/Story/STIStory_325583.html
Asia could recover in Q2
By Alvin Foo
MASSIVE policy responses and a sharp fall in commodity prices should fuel an economic recovery in Asia, which could come as early as the second quarter this year.
Thus, the region could see a V-shaped recovery, but it would not be as fast as the rebound from previous crises.
This latest view came from HSBC on Tuesday at a media briefing on its Asian outlook for 2009.
'The cavalry is on its way in the form of the most significant policy response ever,' said its senior Asian economist Robert Prior-Wandesforde.
There could also be light at the end of the technical recession tunnel for Singapore.
Lower inflation due to falling commodity prices, a supportive policy environment with expected fiscal easing and improving regional trade are set to fuel an end-2009 recovery.
On the financial markets front, HSBC expects continued volatility in Asian stocks for the year, expecting regional markets to end either 10 per cent higher or lower from their current levels this year.
But it added that 2009 will be nowhere near as bad as 2008, when Asian equities plunged by 53 per cent.
It urges investors to stick to 'a portfolio of blue-chip household-name stocks', which 'should give decent upside during the upswings, but avoid excessive downside risk during the corrections.'
HSBC analyst Garry Evans added: 'Our advice is that investors should take a little cyclical exposure while sticking to quality.'
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Money/Story/STIStory_325583.html