Markets
Asia poised for strong growth says HSBC report
Asia’s emerging economies are poised to record sustained growth over the next few decades because of blossoming regional trade links and vibrant domestic markets, says HSBC in its latest report.

Asia’s emerging economies are poised to record sustained growth over the next few decades because of blossoming regional trade links and vibrant domestic markets, says HSBC in its latest report.
“Emerging economies are driven primarily by domestic demand and exports that feed themselves into self-sustaining pictures. The acceleration of output in emerging economies in the last quarter of last year indicated decoupling from Western economies,” says Frederic Neumann, co-head of Asian research.

We remain confident of emerging market growth even though European markets might face some head wind," Mr Neumann said (HSBC)
The statement was backed by the quarterly HSBC Emerging Markets Index (EMI), which increased to 55.7 in the last quarter of 2010 from 54.2 in the previous quarter when the indicator was unchanged.
The reading reflects a significant increase from the third quarter of 2010 and a recovery from the beginning of the year when the indicator declined.
The EMI, which is calculated from a survey of 6,000 firms in 16 emerging economies, also showed that the manufacturing sector for exports accelerated while the services sector declined in those economies. The fact that emerging markets’ exports were higher than pre-crisis levels while imports of the Western world had not recovered showed that demand was from emerging markets.
“The output in emerging economies was comfortably higher than pre-crisis, which is not the case among Western markets. We remain confident of emerging market growth even though European markets might face some head wind,” Mr Neumann said.
Forex
How to Trade the EUR/USD Currency Pair: Professional Tips
The behaviour of the EUR/USD pair is a kind of indicator showing the comparative condition of the US and EU economies. If the US economy steadily grows, and problems arise in the EU, the EUR/USD decreases.

EUR/USD is one of the most popular currency pairs for Forex trading. Since the beginning of trading in 1999, the currency pair has undergone significant changes. For the first two years, the future for the euro was uncertain and the quotation was declining, reaching a minimum of 0.8200.
(more…)Markets
Thailand remains ASEAN’s largest Exporter of Vegetables
Currently, the kingdom has FTA agreements with 17 countries, 13 of which no longer levy import duties on Thai vegetables, including China, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Chile, Peru and 6 countries in ASEAN.

commodities
Gold rush hits Thailand as prices surge
The value of gold has rocketed by Bt7,000 per baht weight since the beginning of this year, generating returns of over 20 per cent.

People flocked to sell their gold at China town. The Gold Traders Association announced the buying and selling prices of gold has increased by 50 baht to a historic high.
(more…)