Hawks stepping up – Sound Economies with Mel & Peter, 18 June 2026
A hawkish US Federal Reserve is out to fight high inflation, which we see fueling greater volatility for the rest of 2026. We also look at disappointing consumption data in China, discuss expectations of faster gold accumulation by central banks,... Read More →
Choices have been made – Sound Economies with Mel & Peter, 11 June 2026
The European Central Bank raised interest rates today – a move we do not agree with, as this will kill any remaining chance of a growth rebound for the region.
Playing checkers with China stocks – Sound Economies with Mel & Peter, 4 June 2026
Chinese equities are becoming more attractive among global investors and family offices. At home, however, the state is cracking down on outbound equity investments. This episode, we also raise concern about Japan’s new debt for continued oil price subsidies and... Read More →
Envisioning the world after war – Sound Economies with Mel & Peter, 28 May 2026
How will the global economy look like when the Russia-Ukraine and US-Iran conflicts are resolved? Let’s find out. This episode also looks at Chinese property developers investing into semiconductor firms to rescue valuations, Italy’s slow progress on reforms, and major... Read More →
Tighter belts in Asia – Sound Economies with Mel & Peter, 21 May 2026
Developing Asia is feeling more squeezed as oil prices stay high. We look at further demand reduction measures in the Philippines to avert stagflation, Thailand’s new debt for additional consumer subsidies, and India winding down fuel support. We also turn... Read More →
First oil, now food – Sound Economies with Mel & Peter, 14 May 2026
Oil prices may have already peaked in reaction to the US-Iran conflict, but food prices are slowly catching up. This episode also looks at the removal of 18 Indonesian stocks on MSCI indices, the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, and surging... Read More →
Oil higher for longer – Sound Economies with Mel & Peter, 7 May 2026
The Asian Development Bank advises governments to wind down blanket subsidies even as oil prices stay elevated, citing the need to preserve/keep fiscal buffers beyond this crisis. This episode also looks at trade ties between Japan and Latin America, rising... Read More →
Of taxes and household buys – Sound Economies with Mel & Peter, 30 April 2026
The income gap between mature and emerging markets is narrowing – apart from GDP growth, income tax rates are squeezing people’s purchasing power. This episode also looks at some wins and losses for China’s economy, and the UAE’s departure from... Read More →
Can’t have your cake – Sound Economies with Mel & Peter, 23 April 2026
China’s price war problem has spread to online food orders, putting attempts to perk up domestic consumption at risk. Episode 80 also looks at MSCI’s delisting of two Indonesian stocks, Japan lifting its export ban on weaponry, and shifts in... Read More →
Weak growth is beyond oil – Sound Economies with Mel & Peter, 16 April 2026
The IMF sees softer global growth amid the oil supply shock, but we look beyond this crisis for signs and find that domestic conditions spell the difference across economies. This episode, we also look at Trump’s forecast of prolonged high... Read More →









