Andrew Antonino Ferrante
@andrewaferrante.bsky.social
Macroeconomic Analyst @IMF previously @FDIC | International Econ and Finance | Global Financial Stability | Market Surveillance | Views are my own
Vietnam’s central bank has directed local commercial banks to maintain stable deposit rates and reduce lending rates to support economic growth, aiming for at least an 8% growth target for 2025. Lending is to be focused in sectors on consumption, exports, digital transformation, and technologies.
March 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Vietnam’s central bank has directed local commercial banks to maintain stable deposit rates and reduce lending rates to support economic growth, aiming for at least an 8% growth target for 2025. Lending is to be focused in sectors on consumption, exports, digital transformation, and technologies.
China is set to infuse a minimum of $55 billion in new capital into several key banks, including the Agricultural Bank of China, the Bank of Communications, and the Postal Savings Bank of China as part of a larger stimulus effort designed to bolster the banking sector and support the ailing economy.
March 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
China is set to infuse a minimum of $55 billion in new capital into several key banks, including the Agricultural Bank of China, the Bank of Communications, and the Postal Savings Bank of China as part of a larger stimulus effort designed to bolster the banking sector and support the ailing economy.
Bangladesh and Pakistan have initiated direct government-to-government trade for the first time in decades, starting with the import of 50,000 tons of rice from Pakistan. The trade agreement, signed in January, marks a significant step in rebuilding economic relations between the two countries.
March 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Bangladesh and Pakistan have initiated direct government-to-government trade for the first time in decades, starting with the import of 50,000 tons of rice from Pakistan. The trade agreement, signed in January, marks a significant step in rebuilding economic relations between the two countries.
Taiwan lowered its 2025 GDP growth forecast to 3.14% from 3.29% due to concerns over US trade policies and domestic budget cuts. Despite these headwinds, exports are projected to grow by 7.08% in 2025, driven by demand for tech exports related to AI.
March 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Taiwan lowered its 2025 GDP growth forecast to 3.14% from 3.29% due to concerns over US trade policies and domestic budget cuts. Despite these headwinds, exports are projected to grow by 7.08% in 2025, driven by demand for tech exports related to AI.
Hong Kong is facing its longest string of fiscal deficits in two decades, with a projected shortfall of $12.9 billion this year. The government is considering raising taxes on high earners, capping a transport subsidy for seniors, and legalizing basketball sports betting to increase capital.
March 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Hong Kong is facing its longest string of fiscal deficits in two decades, with a projected shortfall of $12.9 billion this year. The government is considering raising taxes on high earners, capping a transport subsidy for seniors, and legalizing basketball sports betting to increase capital.
The head of the Green Climate Fund is urging countries like China and India to take leadership in filling climate financing gaps left by the US as they pull $4 billion in funding. The fund plans to deploy #3 billion this year and aim to invest $50 billion by 2030.
March 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The head of the Green Climate Fund is urging countries like China and India to take leadership in filling climate financing gaps left by the US as they pull $4 billion in funding. The fund plans to deploy #3 billion this year and aim to invest $50 billion by 2030.
Malaysia's Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the country's largest pension fund, declared its highest dividend rate in seven years with a 6.3% payout for 2024. The success is attributed to recovering markets, resilient economic growth, and sound portfolio management.
March 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Malaysia's Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the country's largest pension fund, declared its highest dividend rate in seven years with a 6.3% payout for 2024. The success is attributed to recovering markets, resilient economic growth, and sound portfolio management.
Angola plans to raise $1.5 billion in its first euro bond sale in three years to refinance or repay outstanding debt and fund their budget. Authorities are meeting with investors in the US, Middle East, Europe, and Asia ahead of the issuance.
March 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Angola plans to raise $1.5 billion in its first euro bond sale in three years to refinance or repay outstanding debt and fund their budget. Authorities are meeting with investors in the US, Middle East, Europe, and Asia ahead of the issuance.
Thailand's finance minister Pichai Chunhavajira is advocating for the central bank to cut rates and weaken the baht to boost exports and tourism. The baht has been the only currency in emerging Asia to advance against the dollar in the past three months, which Pichai sees as a negative for exports
March 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Thailand's finance minister Pichai Chunhavajira is advocating for the central bank to cut rates and weaken the baht to boost exports and tourism. The baht has been the only currency in emerging Asia to advance against the dollar in the past three months, which Pichai sees as a negative for exports
Completions of multifamily houses are expected to drop from 600k in 2024 to under 400k this year and next as the average time it takes to build increases
March 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Completions of multifamily houses are expected to drop from 600k in 2024 to under 400k this year and next as the average time it takes to build increases
The Atlanta Fed's GDPNow Forecast nosedived on Friday after a pessimistic consumer confidence data print last week combined with slowing consumer spending
March 3, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The Atlanta Fed's GDPNow Forecast nosedived on Friday after a pessimistic consumer confidence data print last week combined with slowing consumer spending
Saudi Arabis has issued the Middle East's first euro-denominated green bond valued at $1.58 billion, drawing $9.12 billion of investor bids, in order to support the kingdom's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from oil dependence by the end of the decade
March 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Saudi Arabis has issued the Middle East's first euro-denominated green bond valued at $1.58 billion, drawing $9.12 billion of investor bids, in order to support the kingdom's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from oil dependence by the end of the decade
Germany's Finance Minister Joerg Kukies stated that Russia will not be readmitted into the Group of Seven (G7) nations despite the request from US President Trump, emphasizing the G7's condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine
March 2, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Germany's Finance Minister Joerg Kukies stated that Russia will not be readmitted into the Group of Seven (G7) nations despite the request from US President Trump, emphasizing the G7's condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine
According to Apollo’s chief economist Torsten Slok, the combined impact of DOGE and tariffs will create a mild, temporary economic shock, leading to slight increases in inflation and modest decreases in GDP.
March 1, 2025 at 5:58 PM
According to Apollo’s chief economist Torsten Slok, the combined impact of DOGE and tariffs will create a mild, temporary economic shock, leading to slight increases in inflation and modest decreases in GDP.
Expectations for June rate reductions have risen back to nearly 75%, after dipping to a mere 34% two weeks prior.
March 1, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Expectations for June rate reductions have risen back to nearly 75%, after dipping to a mere 34% two weeks prior.
Us imports have surged in January ahead of Trump's tariffs being implemented
March 1, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Us imports have surged in January ahead of Trump's tariffs being implemented
The Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority has decided to delay the implementation of Basel 3.1 (Basel endgame) in the UK until January 2027 to allow for greater clarity to emerge about plans for implementation in the US.
www.bankofengland.co.uk
March 1, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority has decided to delay the implementation of Basel 3.1 (Basel endgame) in the UK until January 2027 to allow for greater clarity to emerge about plans for implementation in the US.
While foreign direct investment into Peru and Mexico has grown over the past two years, it still lags behind their pre-pandemic average and peer econoomies.
March 1, 2025 at 5:47 PM
While foreign direct investment into Peru and Mexico has grown over the past two years, it still lags behind their pre-pandemic average and peer econoomies.
India's central bank is revising norms for urban co-operative banks, increasing flexibility in small value loans, residential mortgages, and real estate exposure.
March 1, 2025 at 5:44 PM
India's central bank is revising norms for urban co-operative banks, increasing flexibility in small value loans, residential mortgages, and real estate exposure.
The IMF has advised Namibia's central bank to pause the introduction of a retail central bank digital currency and focus on addressing foundational banking sector issues such as high payment fees, limited interoperability, restricted access for non-banks, and long payment settlement times.
March 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The IMF has advised Namibia's central bank to pause the introduction of a retail central bank digital currency and focus on addressing foundational banking sector issues such as high payment fees, limited interoperability, restricted access for non-banks, and long payment settlement times.
Singapore has announced a $3.74 billion program to boost investments in domestic equities along with a 20% tax rebate for new primary listings and a 10% rebate for new secondary listings .
March 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Singapore has announced a $3.74 billion program to boost investments in domestic equities along with a 20% tax rebate for new primary listings and a 10% rebate for new secondary listings .
Kenya is set to receive a $1.5 billion loan from the UAE by the end of next week to help stabilize Kenya's fiscal position as the UAE is increasing its influence in Africa as other major lenders such as China reduce their loans.
March 1, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Kenya is set to receive a $1.5 billion loan from the UAE by the end of next week to help stabilize Kenya's fiscal position as the UAE is increasing its influence in Africa as other major lenders such as China reduce their loans.
The Green Climate Fund has approved $686.8 million in financing for 11 climate projects across 42 countries. The investments aim to mobilize around $1.5 billion and support 115 million people, and key projects include enhancing forest resilience in Serbia and bolstering climate resilience in Togo.
March 1, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The Green Climate Fund has approved $686.8 million in financing for 11 climate projects across 42 countries. The investments aim to mobilize around $1.5 billion and support 115 million people, and key projects include enhancing forest resilience in Serbia and bolstering climate resilience in Togo.
Indonesia's central bank is set to purchase government bonds in the secondary market to fund the government's affordable housing program. They plan to purchase $9.19 billion worth of state bonds this year, with $6.1 billion for debt switching and the rest for housing.
March 1, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Indonesia's central bank is set to purchase government bonds in the secondary market to fund the government's affordable housing program. They plan to purchase $9.19 billion worth of state bonds this year, with $6.1 billion for debt switching and the rest for housing.
Global foreign direct investment grew to $41 trillion in 2023 (+4.4% y/y; + $1.75). FDI between advanced economies grew by 3.6% ($880 million), while investments from AEs to emerging markets rose by 7.6% ($538 million). The US maintained its position as the top FDI destination.
March 1, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Global foreign direct investment grew to $41 trillion in 2023 (+4.4% y/y; + $1.75). FDI between advanced economies grew by 3.6% ($880 million), while investments from AEs to emerging markets rose by 7.6% ($538 million). The US maintained its position as the top FDI destination.