“We expect most Asian currencies to hold up well against the US dollar in 2018, supported by healthy external positions and strong export demand. The main exceptions are those with significant external vulnerabilities (Sri Lanka and Pakistan) and where the domestic political situation may deteriorate (the Philippines and Thailand),” Capital Economics said in its October 31 Emerging Asia Markets Monitor report titled “Asian equities bounce back.”Capital Economics projected the peso to close this year at the 52:$1 level, before sliding to 55:$1 in 2018 and 2019. Data showed that as of end-September, the peso weakened the most compared with other currencies that depreciated against the dollar, including those of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore. In contrast, the currencies of South Korea, India, Taiwan, China and Thailand strengthened against the greenback year-to-date. “If companies are to invest, they need a stable and predictable business environment.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 05, 2017 08:26 UTC