Asia Bond Monitor September 2023

Shows how a modest improvement in economic fundamentals has buoyed East Asia's local currency bond (LCY) markets, but potential renewed increases in inflation and further interest rate hikes could pose risks for the region's borrowers. This edition shows how a modest improvement in economic fundamentals has buoyed East Asia's local currency bond (LCY) markets, but potential renewed increases in inflation and further interest rate hikes could pose risks for the region's borrowers. Covering the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, China, and the Republic of Korea, the report notes that positive investment sentiment supported a narrowing of risk premiums, a rally in equity markets, and net foreign portfolio inflows. However, interest rates in the region remained elevated, partly due to a rise in bond yields in major advanced economies. Higher borrowing costs have contributed to debt stress and bond defaults in some markets in the region over the past few months.