International Business : SPOTLIGHT ON ASIA : Investment Conditions

Salomon Bros.’ research opinions of the economies of key East Asian nations, with the performance of the main stock index in the local market. *--*

Economic Local stock Nation momentum Inflation index, YTD Hong Kong Bottoming, High, +17.5% moderate growth easing Singapore Slowing, Low, -6.29% strong growth stable Malaysia Stable, Moderate, -5.88% rapid growth rising Thailand Stable, Moderate -9.36% rapid growth Philippines Rising, High, -10.80% moderate growth rising Indonesia Gathering pace, High, +4.17% strong growth moderating S. Korea Peaking, Fairly high, -3.87% strong growth moderating Taiwan Stable, Low, -32.15% solid growth rising

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Source: Salomon Bros. Asia-Pacific Equity Research; Bloomberg Business News