Chief Economist, Aletheia Capital

Dr. Jim Walker

Jim Walker is the chief economist at Aletheia Analyst Network Limited, an independent research platform for the Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining Aletheia he was the founder and chief economist at Asianomics Group an economics and strategy research consultancy company formed in late 2007. 

Before establishing Asianomics he was the chief economist at CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets. He joined CLSA in late 1991. Over the years Dr Jim achieved numerous ‘best economist’ rankings in the Asiamoney, Institutional Investor and Greenwich surveys of fund managers. In 1995 he wrote about the prospect of Asia being forced off its de facto dollar peg “within the next two-three years”. The Asian Crisis, precipitated by the Thai baht devaluation, began in July 1997.

In recent years he is best known for forecasting the US 2007 downturn and financial sector meltdown in his series of ‘Apocalypse’ reports. He remains deeply sceptical of the prevailing wisdom in central banks’ approach to monetary policy.

Over the years he has also developed an approach to analysing Asian economies based on profit and credit cycles where the importance of investment spending as the driver of economic activity is explained.

Early in his career he worked in his native Scotland as a research fellow at the Fraser of Allander Institute for Research on the Scottish Economy, and then at The Royal Bank of Scotland’s Edinburgh headquarters. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree and a doctorate in economics from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

Chief Economist

Asian Trade & Currency Appreciation - Well Positioned

Cafe De Coral - Tough Time Ahead as Upside Is Limited

Real Lending Rates and the Investment Cycle

Asia 2018 Policy Rate Outlook - Bumps & Boosts

Independent and original Asian investment research

Aletheia Capital

Aletheia Capital (HK) Ltd. (previously known as Asianomics) combines the extensive knowledge of its experienced team with technology and regulatory changes to disrupt Global Markets business in Asia. The firm is completely independent with no conflicts of interest either on Investment Banking advisory or Capital Markets execution.

Macroeconomics

<p>In the mid-2000s the investment universe was convinced that the economic cycle had been banished to the dustbin of history. The term which was bandied about was "Goldilocks economy". Economic conditions were neither too hot nor too cold. They were 'just right'. But, as we found out in 2007, that was not the case.</p><p>Today we hear the term "Goldilocks economy" once again. But this time, and for the next two years at least, it might well be appropriate. As the global cycle turns up Asia's export economies will do well. The cyclical upswing has kicked in and Asia has benefited over the last eighteen months. In November 2017 Asian exports reached a new monthly high, surpassing the record reached in July 2014 (August 2011 if China is excluded). That record has already been surpassed in 2018 in January and further records will be set during the course of this year (Mr Trump notwithstanding).</p>

In the mid-2000s the investment universe was convinced that the economic cycle had been banished to the dustbin of history. The term which was bandied about was "Goldilocks economy". Economic conditions were neither too hot nor too cold. They were 'just right'. But, as we found out in 2007, that was not the case.Today we hear the term "Goldilocks economy" once again. But this time, and for the next two years at least, it might well be appropriate. As the global cycle turns up Asia's export economies will do well. The cyclical upswing has kicked in and Asia has benefited over the last eighteen months. In November 2017 Asian exports reached a new monthly high, surpassing the record reached in July 2014 (August 2011 if China is excluded). That record has already been surpassed in 2018 in January and further records will be set during the course of this year (Mr Trump notwithstanding).

Goldilocks Resurfaces: 2018 Tailwinds