INDICATORS - Lebanon - Updated May 26

Reuters: [2008-05-26 13:07:00]

BEIRUT, May 26 (Reuters) - Below is a table of the latest Lebanese economic statistics. Figures are provided by the central bank, finance ministry and ratings agencies.

-----------------------LEBANESE POUND----------------------

EXCHANGE RATE BETWEEN BANKS - 1,507.5 pounds to the dollar

-----------------------KEY INTEREST RATES------------------

T-bill weekly rates

(May 29 issue)

Term Discount Yield

(percent) (percent)

3 months 5.15 5.22

6 months 6.99 7.24

Central bank CD rates (percent)

45 days....04.40

60 days....04.89

182 days...-----

364 days...-----

-------------------ECONOMIC INDICATORS----------------------

(All figures US $ million unless otherwise stated)

Balance of payments Feb 08 Jan 08 Dec 07 Nov 07 Feb 07

Monthly 542.7 -259.2 864.3 546.9 147.4

(Source: Banque Du Liban)

Total 2006 +2,794.5

Total 2005 +747.2

Total 2004 +168.5

Total 2003 +3,386

Trade

Feb 08 Jan 08 Dec 07 Nov 07 Oct 07 Feb 07

Imports 1,211.9 1,106.6 1,064.0 1,054.7 1,192.7 830.4

Exports 310.5 262.2 241.3 293.0 258.0 219.0

(Source: Banque Du Liban)

Foreign currencies (billions of U.S. dollars)

Feb 08 Jan 08 Dec 07 Nov 07 Oct 07 Sept 07

10.784 9.791 9.778 9.748 9.583 10.208

(Source: Banque Du Liban)

Gross public debt Feb '08 Jan '08 Dec '07

Foreign currency ($bln) 21.47 21.28 21.22

Local currency (LBP bln) 32,271 31,709 31,373

Net debt ($bln) 39.46 39.26 39.02

(Source: Public Finance Monitor)

Money supply (Lebanese pounds billions)

Feb 08 Jan 08 Dec 07 Feb 07

M1 3,571.4 3,508.3 3,578.1 3,243.2

M2 25,479.6 24,957.8 24,830.7 23,462.8

M3 92,122.4 90,871.4 90,196.7 81,068.3

M4 97,810.3 96,506.8 95,809.7 85,905.5

(M1 = Currency in circulation plus demand deposits, M2 = M1 plus other deposits in Lebanese pounds, M3 = M2 plus foreign currency deposits, M4 = M3 plus treasury bills held by the non-banking system)

Coincident indicator

Feb 08 Jan 08 Dec 07 Nov 07 Oct 07 Sept 07 Feb 07

194 192.6 187.6 191 180.5 174.5 175.7

(100 = January 1993)

(Source: Banque du Liban)

Budget deficit (in billions of Lebanese pounds)

Feb '08 Jan '08 Feb '07 Total '07

Expenditure 1,098 1,144 1,003 10,070

Revenue 672 1,027 502 8,093

Surplus -426 -116 -501 -1,977

(Source: Public Finance Monitor)

T-bill weekly subscriptions (in billions of pounds)

(May 15 auction)

Term Yield (pct) Face Value Purchase Value

3 months 5.22 0.024 0.024

6 months 7.24 3.831 3.697

3.855 3.721

Total:

Subscriptions over maturities: -182.542 ((Beirut newsroom, beirut.newsroom@reuters.com))

Keywords: LEBANON INDICATORS

Malaysia keeps interest rates steady at 3.50 pct

Reuters: [2008-05-26 13:06:00]

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Reuters) - Malaysia's central bank kept interest rates on hold on Monday, as expected, continuing to extend a lifeline of cheap credit to a slowing economy.

Bank Negara left its official rate at 3.50 percent for the 17th straight meeting, while indicating that inflation remained a a key risk for the economy.

"There are strong upside risks to global inflation due to sustained high food and energy prices," it said.

"While such pressures are likely to ease should global growth moderate, in the more immediate term, domestic price pressures are likely to be sustained," it said. (Reporting by Jalil Hamid; Editing by Ramthan Hussain) ((niki.koswanage@thomsonreuters.com; +603 2333 8035; Reuters Messaging: niki.koswanage.reuters.net@reuters.com))

Keywords: MALAYSIA ECONOMY/RATES

UPDATE 3-Thai Q1 growth slows, inflation risks mount

Reuters: [2008-05-26 12:43:00]

 (Adds central bank comment on growth risk in paragraph 15) 
    By Kitiphong Thaichareon  
    BANGKOK, May 26 (Reuters) - Thailand's economic growth slowed 
as expected in the first quarter to 1.4 percent, as inflation 
dragged on growth, and analysts said high prices would keep 
activity subdued in coming quarters.  
    The state economic planning agency left its full-year growth 
forecast unchanged at 4.5-5.5 percent in a report on Monday, but 
raised its inflation forecast to a 10-year high, underlining 
global pressures from record high oil and food prices. 
    Analysts said they expected inflation to hamper consumption 
and investment, but also to raise pressure on the Thai central 
bank to raise interest rates.  
    Nuchjarin Panarode, an economist at Capital Nomura 
Securities, said the National Economic and Social Development 
Board's view on the economy remained positive.  
    "It is also interesting that they revised the inflation 
forecast up to 5.3-5.8 percent, which suggests that with oil 
prices at these levels a rate hike is inevitable," she said. 
    "I expect the central bank to raise rates in the second half 
of this year." 
    The NESDB raised its 2008 inflation forecast from its 
previous forecast in February of 3.2-3.7 percent. 
    Inflation of 5.3 percent would be the highest since 1998, 
when it averaged 8.1 percent. 
    The agency said seasonally adjusted gross domestic product 
rose 1.4 percent in the first quarter, slowing from 1.7 percent 
in the fourth quarter and breaking four consecutive quarterly 
increases in growth following a military coup in September 2006. 
     From the year-earlier quarter, growth picked up to 6.0 
percent, broadly in line with expectations, from 5.7 percent in 
the fourth quarter. 
    The NESDB raised its growth forecast for both exports and 
imports for 2008. But it said imports would grow faster than 
exports, so it downgraded its forecast for both the trade and 
current account surpluses. [ID:nBAK000356] 
    Fuelling strong imports, oil shipments rose 68 percent in the 
first quarter from a year earlier, triple the pace seen in 
fourth-quarter data. 
     
    FARM OUTPUT EXPANDS  
    Thailand's agricultural growth quickened in the first quarter 
from the fourth, the data showed. Manufacturing and services 
slowed, while construction swung to a contraction.  
    A fall in government consumption deepened while household 
consumption picked up. [ID:nBKT000668] 
    Fresh street protests over a government plan to amend the 
constitution, which critics says is aimed at favouring former 
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, could drag on growth if they 
distract the government from managing the economy, the central 
bank said. 
    Growth this year is also threatened by an expected slowdown 
in global economic activity sparked by a U.S. housing downturn 
and credit crisis, analysts said.  
    That puts the focus on Thailand's consumers to drive growth 
but rising prices and interest rates would undermine sentiment, 
said Vishnu Varathan, economist at Forecast Pte. 
    The central bank has held interest rates steady at its last 
seven policy reviews after five rate cuts in 2007. 
    It kept its main rate steady last week at 3.25 percent after 
inflation jumped to a two-year high in April of 6.2 percent. But 
it said it was ready to raise rates if inflation picked up. 
    To counter high oil and rice prices, Thailand's government 
has vowed to pursue pro-growth policies. It has unveiled measures 
to boost consumer spending and pledged to accelerate 
multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects.  
    "Inflation is something we have to worry about but it should 
not cause alarm. The expected inflation figure needs not be 
viewed as a major economic risk although it requires proper 
management," NESDB chief Ampon Kittiampon told reporters.  
    The economy grew 4.8 percent in 2007, dropping from 5.1 
percent in 2006. Private-sector economists polled by Reuters last 
week forecast growth would rise to 5.2 percent in 2008.  
  
 OTHER STORIES  
 > More analysts comments........................[ID:nBKK106060] 
 > GDP breakdown and historical figures..........[ID:nBKT000668] 
 > Thai central bank holds rates, ready to tighten[ID:nBKK19451] 
 > New street protests hurt stability............[ID:nBKK174409] 
 > Asia stocks slide as inflation fears rise......[ID:nSP277486] 
  
 (Additional reporting by Trisanat Kongkhunthian; Writing by 
Vithoon Amorn; Editing by Neil Fullick)  
 ((; e-mail: bangkok.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging 
vithoon.amorn.reuters.com@reuters.net;+662 6489737))  
Keywords: THAILAND ECONOMY/  
    

Hong Kong dollar marginally weaker as stocks fall

Reuters: [2008-05-26 12:15:00]

    HONG KONG, May 26 (Reuters) - The following is a snapshot of 
the Hong Kong foreign exchange and money markets in late trade on 
Monday. 
                          Close       Morning     Previous Close 
                          At 0908 GMT At 0423 GMT At 0851 GMT 
    HK$ SPOT <HKD=>       7.8035/37   7.8028/29   7.8029/32 
     
    FORWARDS 
    Three-month <HKD3M=>  -188/-183   -190/-185   -191/-186 
    Six-month <HKD6M=>    -330/-320   -330/-320   -334/-326 
    One-year <HKD1Y=>     -548/-528   -545/-530   -549/-537 
     
    INTERBANK RATES (PERCENTAGE) 
    Overnight <HKDOND=>   1.40/1.50   1.00/1.20   0.80/0.90 
    Three-month <HKD3MD=> 1.78/1.83   1.78/1.83   1.79/1.84 
    Six-month <HKD6MD=>   1.99/2.04   1.99/2.04   2.00/2.05 
    One-year <HKD1YD=>    2.44/2.49   2.44/2.49   2.45/2.52 
    * For more live quotes for forwards and interbank rates, 
click on <FWEN>. 
    * The Hong Kong dollar edged marginally lower on Monday, 
undermined by a plunge in the stock market. 
    The local currency <HKD=> hit a session low of 7.8039 per 
dollar, its weakest level since Feb. 6, Reuters data shows. It 
was trading at 7.8035/37 at 0908 GMT, softer than late Friday 
trade in Asia. 
    * The Hong Kong currency is pegged at 7.8 to the U.S. dollar 
but can trade between 7.75 and 7.85. 
    * Hong Kong stocks <.HSI> tumbled on Monday on worries over 
inflation and the health of the global economy, and hurt by an 
8.6 percent loss in China Mobile <0941.HK> after an industry 
reshuffle. 
    * A dealer at a foreign bank said the USD/HKD spot rate could 
head towards 7.8070 if it breaks 7.8050 in the short term. 
    * In the interbank market, short-term rates held steady 
despite a steady stream of initial public offerings, dealers 
said. 
    The one-week interbank rate was quoted at 1.10/1.15 percent 
late in the afternoon, flat from Friday's close. The one-month 
rate was quoted at 1.34/1.39 percent, compared with 1.37/1.40 
percent on Friday. 
    Longer-dated rates softened slightly from the previous 
session, but transaction was thin, said a dealer at a local bank. 
      The one-year rate fell 3 basis points from Friday's close 
to 2.44/2.49 percent. 
    * Hong Kong dollar forwards were little changed in quiet 
trade as U.K. and U.S. markets were closed for holidays, dealers 
said. 
     
    MARKET/ECONOMIC NEWS 
    > Stock market reports and updates: [.HK] 
    > U.S. dollar reports and updates: [USD/] [FRX/] 
    > Yuan reports and updates: [CNY/] 
    > Emerging Asia forex reports and updates: [EMRG/FRX] 
  
 (Reporting by Christina Lo) 
 ((christina.lo.reuters.com@reuters.net; +852 2843 6960; Reuters 
Messaging:christina.lo.reuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 ((Multimedia versions of Reuters Top News are now available for: 
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http://topnews.reuters.com  
    <REUTER> <HONG KONG>  
    Hong Kong news        [HK]     Hong Kong stock report [.HSI] 
    China news            [CN]     Hong Kong hot stocks [HK-HOT] 
    All foreign exchange  [FRX]    Hong Kong diary    [HK/DIARY] 
    Press digests [PRESS/HK] 
 
Keywords: MARKETS HONGKONG FORWARDS 
    

Tokyo rubber hits 28-year high, ends under 340 yen

Reuters: [2008-05-26 11:28:00]

TOKYO, May 26 (Reuters) - Tokyo rubber futures extended gains to hit a fresh 28-year high on Monday, lifted by a combination of strong fundamentals and speculative buying, before drifting lower to end the day a little under 340 yen.

* The key Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for October delivery <0#JRU:> climbed 11.8 yen or 3.6 percent to an intra-day high of 341.8 yen per kg, the highest since April 1980, before closing the day at 339.4 yen, up 9.4 yen.

The trough was 328.1 yen.

* The contract rose to an intraday high of 330.3 yen on Friday, the highest for any benchmark since May 1980, on tight rubber supplies in Thailand, the world's top producer, and dwindling inventories in China, the largest consumer.

* Spot May TOCOM rubber expired at 323 yen on Monday.

* The key contract has risen about 7 percent over the past two business days alone, and some market participants expressed concern at the rapid rate at which the market has climbed. However, the market's upward momentum appears intact for now, they said.

* "It opened lower today, but it reversed course to climb even higher, and it looks like the bull trend will continue," said a Tokyo-based broker.

* "Funds have a major role in shaping the current market, and they appear to be bullish for now," he said.

* Strong crude oil prices, which often benefit rubber prices because investors believe expensive oil will encourage a shift to natural rubber from synthetic rubber, a petroleum product, provided additional strong upward impetus.

* U.S. crude futures were off last week's all-time high of $135.09 per barrel, but the price remained strong as it continued to trade around $133.

* NYMEX crude for July delivery <CLc1> rose 80 cents to $132.99 in Asian trade on Monday.

* The dollar traded at around 103.44/47 yen <JPY=>, compared to 103.30/35 yen in late trade in New York.

PRICES OF ASIAN PHYSICAL RUBBER COMPARED WITH FRIDAY

Grade Price Change

Thai RSS3 (July) $3.15/kg +$0.08

Thai RSS3 (August) $3.15/kg +$0.10

Thai STR20 (July) $3.05/kg unchanged

Thai STR20 (August) $3.05/kg +$0.03

Malaysia SMR20 (July) $3.05/kg +$0.05

Malaysia SMR20 (August) $3.05/kg +$0.05

Indonesia SIR20 (July) $1.37/lb unchanged

Indonesia SIR20 (August) $1.37/lb +$0.01

Thai USS3 95 baht/kg +3 bahts

Thai 60-percent latex (drums, July) $2,100/tonne -$20

Thai 60-percent latex (bulk, July) $2,000/tonne unchanged

(Reporting by Miho Yoshikawa) ((miho.yoshikawa@reuters.com; +81-3 6441 1854; Reuters Messaging: miho.yoshikawa.reuters.com@reuters.net))

** NOTE - The prices quoted above are offer prices collected from traders in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. They are not official prices quoted by state-run rubber agencies in those countries.

For morning and afternoon prices at Thailand's state-run central rubber market, click on <RUB-BKK3>. For other physical rubber prices in Thailand, click on <RUB-BKK1> <RUB-BKK2>. For more details on Indonesian and Malaysian prices click on <RURKJK> and <RUQG>. * Reuters Terminal users can see cash and futures rubber prices by double clicking on the codes in the brackets: - Tokyo rubber futures -- <0#JRU:> - Osaka rubber futures -- <0#JRI:><0#JOS:> - Shanghai rubber futures -- <0#SNR:> - Singapore rubber futures -- <0#SRS:><0#SRU:>

<0#SRI:><0#STF:> - Thai rubber futures <0#ARU:><0#ASR20:> - Physical rubber -- <RUBBER/CASH1> - All rubber news [RUB] - Tokyo rubber report [RUB/T] - Shanghai rubber report [RUB-CN] - Thailand rubber report [RUB/TH] - Asian rubber report [RUB/AS] - Indonesian rubber report [RUB/ID] For Related News and other topics, double click on one of these codes: SPEED GUIDES <RUBBER1> <RUBBER/FUT1> <SOFT/SUM> <SOFTS/NEWS1> Keywords: MARKETS ASIA RUBBER