Moody's latest report asserts that strong......>

ASIA: Moody's latest report asserts that strong growth in the first half of 2017

for leading Asian nations will continue in the second half of the year, and has

prompted upward revisions in growth estimates for China and Japan.

- Moody's predict 6.8% growth in 2017 from China (0.2ppts higher than previous),

and predict 6.4% in 2018 (0.1ppts higher). Moody's note that growth is still

expected to decelerate gradually adducing less policy stimulus as the government

seek to reduce leverage growth.

- Moody's predict Japan will grow 1.5% in 2017 (up 0.4ppts) and 1.1% in 2018 (up

0.3ppts) citing "unequivocally positive recent data and forward-looking survey

indicators."

- Moody's predict Japan will grow 2.5% in 2017 and 2.7% in 2018. The note the

large buildup in household debt, as has been pointed out by the RBA, and

potential housing market imbalances.

- The report highlights several risks to the region, including geopolitical

tensions in North Korea and the middle easy, potential US trade policy and

China's deleveraging efforts.