Asia Bond Monitor Series

This edition of the Asia Bond Monitor reviews developments in emerging East Asian local currency bond markets and discusses how the financial sector can help fund the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This issue of the Asia Bond Monitor reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic and deepening global economic uncertainty are weighing heavily on local currency bond markets of emerging East Asian economies.

Emerging East Asia’s local currency bond market reached USD15.2 trillion at the end of September 2019 on growth of 3.1% quarter-on-quarter and 13.0% year-on-year.

Local currency bond markets in emerging East Asia expanded steadily during the second quarter of 2019 despite ongoing trade conflicts, an economic slowdown in the People’s Republic of China, and moderating global growth.

This issue of the Asia Bond Monitor features a special chapter on housing bond markets, including insights on how they can be further developed in the region.

This publication reviews recent developments in emerging East Asian local currency bond markets, and includes analysis of the fourth quarter of 2018.

This publication reviews developments in East Asian local currency bond markets during the third quarter of 2018 and provides outlook, risks, and policy options.

Local currency bond markets in emerging East Asia grew 3.2% from the first quarter of 2018, with government bonds expanded 4.0% and corporate bonds rose 1.8%.

Emerging East Asia’s local currency bond market registered marginal growth of 1.1% quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter of 2018 to reach a size of USD12.8 trillion at the end of March.

Risks to economic growth and stability of East Asia remain—faster-than-expected rate hikes in the United States and monetary policy normalization in other advanced economies; and growing threats of protectionism.