Asian Central Banks Pause Easing Amid Middle East Conflict, UBS Analyst Says

UBS analyst Magdalene Teo reported on April 27 that the easing cycle in Asia has been paused due to disruptions in oil supply caused by Middle East conflicts, which have begun to impact inflation and growth concerns. According to Jin10, despite the yen's weakness, the Bank of Japan is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged this week due to uncertainties brought by the war. Earlier this month, the Monetary Authority of Singapore slightly tightened its policy to preemptively address inflation. Thailand faces growth slowdown risks as its tourism sector, a key economic pillar, is hit by rising travel costs. The Philippines may raise interest rates to maintain price stability, while Indonesia's central bank is expected to keep rates steady to support the rupiah. However, a significant drop in foreign exchange reserves could lead to a rate hike.