Showing 1 - 10 of 19
Rethinking how to save for retirement
Business, TMB Analytics, Published on 01/04/2016
» Thai society is ageing. Currently, around one person in five is older than 60 years. By 2040, the ratio will be one in three. This presents several concerns: a smaller labour force, lower economic growth, a lower savings rate and higher medical expenses.
Faster and cheaper international money transfers through blockchain
Business, TMB Analytics, Published on 04/11/2016
» Let's face it: making international money transfers is a hassle. Whether you are paying suppliers abroad or wiring funds for your children's tuition, most of you feel frustrated about how long it takes for the money to get to the recipients.
Making sense of Thai liquidity
Business, TMB Analytics, Published on 01/07/2016
» Given its vague definition, "liquidity" in the economic context is often used loosely by analysts and commentators. In our last article, we offered some clarity by proposing the concept of Gross Domestic Liquidity (GDL). Today we will discuss some of its implications.
Don't overlook the 'trivial component' in GDP calculation
Business, TMB Analytics, Published on 08/01/2016
» Anyone who has taken Economics 101 will be familiar with the equation Y=C+I+G+X-M. Simply put, gross domestic product (Y) is a combination of consumption plus investment, government spending and exports, minus imports.
Social credit: How Fintech uses Facebook to give you a loan
Business, TMB Analytics, Published on 05/08/2016
» In the digital age, who you know and what you post or share on Facebook, Instagram and the like could help you obtain a loan, even if you have no secure job or no credit history. Thanks to the popularity of social networks, big data and advanced computing techniques can be used to infer "social credit" scores, which identify borrowers with the ability and willingness to pay.
Don't let inventory upset your GDP forecast
Business, TMB Analytics, Published on 05/02/2016
» In our previous article, we argued economists and analysts alike should pay more attention to an unassuming component of GDP -- inventory. We showed that despite its tiny size, merely 1.6% of GDP, inventory can have a profound effect on both seasonality and swings, hence on all GDP forecasting exercises.
Policy rate cut equals currency depreciation? Not always
Business, TMB Analytics, Published on 06/10/2017
» How does a country's policy interest rate influence the currency exchange rate? Theoretically speaking, when a country's rate of return falls, investors will move their capital to other countries with higher rates of return, causing the local currency to depreciate. But it is possible that a policy rate reduction will lead to a stronger local currency instead. This depends on investors' expectations of future policy rates.
What's behind the strong baht: myth vs fact
Business, TMB Analytics, Published on 01/09/2017
» The number 8 is typically viewed as lucky in Chinese culture. Right now, however, 8 is a hideous number for many Thai exporters, since that is how much the baht has appreciated in percentage terms since the Year of the Rooster began.
The importance of picking the right offer to refinance your mortgage
Business, TMB Analytics, Published on 08/06/2017
» Owning a home is at the top of life's bucket list for almost every Thai household. Given their high value, most purchases are financed through mortgage loans. According to the National Statistical Office, mortgages account for 50% of Thai household debt.
The conundrum of low Thai inflation
Business, TMB Analytics, Published on 07/07/2017
» Subdued inflation in recent years might raise concern about the health of the Thai economy in general. In the past three years, inflation in Thailand has been almost the lowest among Asean countries. A casual observer might blame this on the tepid economy, leading to weak demand that has subsequently reduced price pressure.