Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

PK Basu has 34 years experience covering Asia's economies and markets (equities, fixed income and currencies), including 20 years covering the global economy. He was Chief Economist (SE Asia & India) at Credit Suisse First Boston for 5 years, and Chief Asia (x-Jpn) Economist at Daiwa Securities for a similar period. Among other roles, he was global head of research at Maybank Kim Eng, Malaysia equity research head and chief ASEAN economist at Macquarie, Chief Economist at ICICI Securities, ASEAN economist at UBS and the first chief economist at Khazanah Nasional (where he was co-head of research, and led all agri-business initiatives). PK Basu started his career in the Asia Service of WEFA (Wharton Econometrics) in Philadelphia in 1990, rising to be Director of their Asia Service in June 1994. 
PK's book, "Asia Reborn: A continent rises from the ravages of Colonialism and War to a New Dynamism" won the Tata Literature First Book Award (non-fiction) for 2018. It is the first single chronicle of the modern economic and political history of the whole of Asia (from Iraq and Turkey to Korea and Japan, and everything in between), told from an Asian perspective.

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

Biden's "Socialist" Remake of the US: How Much Will Be Too Much for the Blue Dogs?

China Has Been the Global Winner from the Liquidity Glut of 2008-21; Now Comes Pain

Diplomacy/ Procreation/ Yuan/ US-China/ Shein

Biden's Huge Stimulus Is Obliging the Fed to Edge Away from Unlimited QE

Misguided US Stimulus Offers Little Help to Supply-Side to Offset Potential Inflation Risks

US: Steepening Yield Curve Is a Harbinger of Inflation That'll Oblige Fed to Tighten

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Macroeconomics

<p>With the US economy growing 6.4%QoQsaar in 1Q 2021,  the output gap has narrowed to just 2.1% below its potential growth path. Headline inflation is already at 2.6% YoY, and likely to exceed 3% in 2Q 2021. </p><p>While the FOMC reiterated its determination to keep adding US$120 billion to its balance sheet every month, it will be impossible for it to stick to this commitment in the face of a soaring economy and roaring labour market. Expect monetary tightening surprises ahead! </p>

With the US economy growing 6.4%QoQsaar in 1Q 2021,  the output gap has narrowed to just 2.1% below its potential growth path. Headline inflation is already at 2.6% YoY, and likely to exceed 3% in 2Q 2021. While the FOMC reiterated its determination to keep adding US$120 billion to its balance sheet every month, it will be impossible for it to stick to this commitment in the face of a soaring economy and roaring labour market. Expect monetary tightening surprises ahead! 

Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX INDEX)

Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index

Biden Stimulus+ Will Be Inflationary; Policy Stability Is Enabling a More Leftward Tilt