Former global chief ratings officer of sovereign ratings group

Mr. Jerome Powell, Chairman of FED Many readers are now wondering how and why the US Federal Reserve Bank (FED) miscalculated on forecasting the current global inflation. In a talk with Saigon Investment, Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Tho discussed this issue further. JOURNALIST: - Sir, you are one person who has studied very carefully the inflation in many countries in general and the United States in particular. Please can you give Saigon Investment readers a basic sketch as to how this situation is prevailing and to its effect on other economies. Dr. Tran Ngoc Tho: - There are many factors explaining the current rising global inflation such as broken global supply chains, warming of the jobs market, loose monetary and fiscal stimulus packages, and the recent Russia-Ukraine conflict. It is not just the FED but almost all investors and financial institutions, not only in the US but also in most economies are wrong in believing that high inflation is a thing of the past. However, if … [Read more...] about US Federal Bank caught off guard by global inflation

A customer at an HDBank transaction office. Viet Nam’s policy rate is expected to rise 50 basis points to 4.5 per cent by end-2023. — VNA/VNS Photo Capital account restrictions largely insulate interest rates in Viet Nam from global monetary tightening and the country’s policy rate is expected to rise 50 basis points to 4.5 per cent by end-2023, according to Fitch Ratings. Under a report on the impact of rising interest rates on Asia-Pacific (APAC) banks released this week, Fitch said annual credit targeting remains a centrepiece of the State Bank of Vietnam's (SBV) monetary policy framework, and the refinancing rate is not a primary policy lever. Moreover, strong foreign investment inflows underpin the dong's resilience, which has depreciated by only 2 per cent year-to-date by end-July 2022, making it the second-best performing currency in APAC behind only the Hong Kong dollar. According to Fitch, Viet Nam’s rates are driven chiefly by economic activity and inflation. … [Read more...] about Monetary stance points to only mildly higher interest rates in Viet Nam: Fitch Ratings

Vo Tri Thanh *Vo Tri Thanh Global central banks are in a dash to raise interest rates to cool rampant inflation and their moves are challenging the State Bank of Viet Nam’s policymaking in a way to support the economic recovery while sustaining macroeconomic sustainability. Last week, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) raised interest rates by another 75 basic points (bps) – the second straight month and its third this year – in an effort to fight inflation which hit a 40-year high of 9.1 per cent in June. That takes the cumulative June-July increase to 150 bps – the steepest since the early 1980s. The European Central Bank on July 21 increased its benchmark interest rate by 0.5 per cent for the first time in 11 years and is signaling further hikes this year after consumer prices in the euro area are expected to rise to 8.9 per cent in July. Data from Reuters showed seven central banks of the Group of Ten delivered 350 basis points of rate hikes last month – nearly half of the … [Read more...] about Stability of Vietnamese dong under pressure of global headwinds

Illustrative image Benefits and worries Referring to the increasing value of the US dollar, Mr. Nguyen Chi Trung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gia Dinh Group, said that big exporters such as Gia Dinh shoes will certainly benefit as they will have more revenue to reduce the pressure of input costs which have been increasing continuously over the last months. Mr. Trung cited that the previous exchange rate was about VND22,600 for one US dollar and when an enterprise exported US$1 million worth, it could earn about VND22.6 billion. Now, if the exchange rate is anchored at VND23,900 for one US dollar than the figure will be about VND23.9 billion. It is true that there will be an immediate benefit to be seen by many export groups. However, according to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hong, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Textile and Garment Embroidery Association, in general when the dollar appreciates it will be seen as favorable for many exporters, including textile and garment … [Read more...] about Rising inflation causing concern for export businesses

The ABF Retail Banking Awards are among Asia’s most prestigious banking awards honouring outstanding retail banks that offer innovative products and services and have a positive impact on customers and the banking industry. Techcombank was selected by an esteemed panel of judges based on its achievements during the year and the unique and innovative initiatives the bank introduced. The award for Domestic Bank of the Year Vietnam recognised Techcombank for its new cutting-edge retail banking app that was launched in later 2021 that enables customers to conduct everyday banking on the go. The mobile app also offers a wide range of other outstanding capabilities including instant credit card approvals, automated bill payments, and features that enable customers to track their daily spending habits. Techcombank’s Spark Card is an all-in-one card that can adapt to meet the changing needs of customers all year round and at any stage in life. The award for Credit … [Read more...] about Techcombank shining at ABF Retail Banking Awards 2022

Workers produce electronic components at a factory in the northern province of Hung Yen. — VNA/VNS Photo The Vietnamese manufacturing sector remained in growth territory at the start of the third quarter of the year, but there were some signs of demand softening. As such, output, new orders and employment all increased at weaker rates than in June, according to S&P Global. In a survey released on Monday, S&P Global said the Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) remained above the 50.0 no-change mark for the tenth successive month in July, signalling a further strengthening of business conditions. That said, at 51.2, down from 54.0 in June, the index signalled a softer improvement. New orders increased for the tenth month running, but the rate of expansion eased to the weakest since April. New export business rose solidly, meanwhile, and at a faster pace than total new orders. The continued growth of new orders encouraged manufacturers to keep expanding … [Read more...] about Viet Nam’s manufacturing output continues to rise