ASEAN Speaks

In today's special edition of ASEAN Speaks we start off with our SMIDs Analyst, Jarick Seet, giving us an insight into why SingPost deserves attention as the next top pick to release value despite S&P's recent move to place them on CreditWatch negative following the sale of its Australia business. Next, we are joined by our special guest, Matt Bryson, Wedbush's Senior Enterprise Hardware Analy...

As Asian shares decline for the second month due to Trump 2.0 policies and slow Chinese stimulus, there’s renewed hope in ASEAN markets. Our regional strategist, Anand Pathmakanthan, highlights why ASEAN is the place to watch, with Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia leading the charge. Meanwhile, Jarick Seet discusses SingPost’s sale of its Australian assets—a move that’s the “worst-kept secret” i...

Markets rebound as a data-packed week stirs volatility, with Singapore’s economy hitting an 11-quarter high alongside a surge in manufacturing numbers. What does this mean for a stronger SGD and key opportunities? Our Co-Head of Research, Dr. Chua Hak Bin, breaks it all down. Meanwhile, GLC restructuring and asset monetisation are unlocking value, with SingPost leading the charge asset sales and c...

As inflationary concerns loom, Asia remains optimistic after Xi-Biden talks. Amidst this optimism, Grab Holdings and Sea Limited are making waves. Our telecom analyst, Hussaini Saifee, explores how these two standout companies are seizing growth opportunities in this evolving landscape. Next, our Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, highlights how Sembcorp Industries is redefining its future w...

Trump’s comeback to the presidency has stirred up fresh waves of uncertainty. With inflation likely to rise, the Fed’s path to easing could face serious challenges. To break down what this means for the global and regional markets, our in-house Economist, Erica Tay, who’ll dive into the potential impacts and discuss whether China’s recent debt swap is a genuine stimulus move or more symbolic. Mean...

This week, our guest host, Jarick Seet, will take us through what we can expect from the Telco and SMIDs sector as we head off to the end of the year. He is first joined by Telco Analyst, Hussaini Saifee who has just reiterated his BUY call on Singtel (ST SP) explaining how its subsidiary, Simba, may the key to success. Additionally we will get to hear how its peer, Starhub (STH SP) might be affec...

In this weeks ASEAN Speaks, our guest host with the golden voice, Seng Yeow, bring along our resident Credit Analyst, Winson Phoon to shed light on the US rate curve as we head off into the penultimate week of the Trump Vs. Harris election. Tune in as he gives us his take on what the outcomes might be should either of the presidential hopefuls win. Next, Hussaini Saifee joins us to give a sneak pe...

Third quarter results season kicks off this week, and all eyes are on S-REITs. With the current interest rate and FX environment, how might they impact these key players in the market? Krishna Guha comes in to provide us with the latest insights on the sector. Will we see the first signs of stabilisation, or will the volatility continue? Join us as we find out which REITs are worth watching closel...

Over the weekend, China's Ministry of Finance laid out fiscal measures to support the economy. However, no new fiscal stimulus quantum was given during the announcement. Despite the teaser, our economist, Erica Tay believes that these repeated hints that a large injection was undergoing approval would unlock existing fiscal resources that have a real impact. This would give a much needed assurance...

This week in ASEAN speaks, we are joined by Kervin Sisayan following a 52-week high in the Philippine Market, with its central bank (BSP) hinting at a potential 50bps rate cut and a 250bps reserve requirement ratio (RRR) cut by the end of the month. BSP expects inflation to settle within the 2.0-2.8% range in Sep attributed to lower food prices and peso appreciation. Kervin believes that this shou...

In the ever growing field of the data center industry, we speak with Maybank’s TMT specialist Hussaini Saifee, who expects data centre demand in ASEAN to increase at 20% CAGR till 2028 with the total addressable market estimated at USD11b/yr. Structural drivers include: 1) Under penetration: ASEAN supply is 55-70% below that of US, CN, KR & JP; 2) AI: helps ASEAN companies in the global supply cha...

Wong Chew Hann, Head of Equity Research, Maybank Investment Bank, shares key highlights from the 2024 Invest ASEAN conference that put Penang at the forefront of dynamic transformation.

Suhaimi Ilias, Chief Economist, Maybank Investment Banking Group, gives an update on Malaysia’s fiscal reforms so far, with comments on the latest diesel subsidy cut.

Despite inflation creeping up, exports and industrial output see strong growth – Vietnam’s May economic data shows that hope shines bright for its Q2 GDP growth. Brian Lee, economist at Maybank Securities, shares his take on the numbers.

While year-to-date SET is down almost 5%, Chak Reungsinpinya, Head of Equity Research Thailand, Maybank Investment Banking Group, maintains year-end index target of 1,600 – a 17% upside from the index current level. He shares his note of confidence.

Despite interventions, the JPY remains under pressure against the US dollar. What more can be done to strengthen the JPY and what’s the impact of a weak JPY on regional currencies? Saktiandi Supaat, Head of FX Strategy, Maybank, explains why recent interventions haven’t worked their magic and what’s on the road ahead for the JPY.

With accelerated industrial production growth and at the same time, a fizzling of consumer spending, what lies ahead for the Asian dragon? As well, will introducing new property measures lift the sector? Erica Tay, economist at Maybank IBG, explains.

Maybank Securities’ analyst Hussaini Saifee says the merger could be a potential catalyst for growth for the telco sector in Singapore. He also gives his read on the earnings results from SEA and Grab.

Chua Hak Bin, Regional Co-Head for Macro, Maybank Investment Banking Group, discusses how the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone will spur growth for both Johor and Singapore in areas such as connectivity, trade, labour, investments, and renewable energy transition.

Anand Pathmakanthan, Head of Regional Equity Research, Maybank Investment Banking Group, rounds up ASEAN equities’ performance over the past four months, giving a forecast on the key markets and stocks to watch, going deeper into 2024.

The Fed left rates unchanged as widely expected, with chair Powell saying they need more confidence that the economy is on track and to meet the 2% inflation target. Suhaimi Ilias, Maybank Group Chief Economist, shares his takeaway from last week’s FOMC meeting.

Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Research, Maybank Securities, maps the themes, identifies the sectors, and picks the stocks that may be the biggest winners from the establishment of this highly-anticipated economic project.

Erica Tay, economist at Maybank Investment Banking Group assesses the impact of China's industrial push on ASEAN exports at a time when ASEAN is seeing increased FDI and post-pandemic export recovery.

Even as EV growth is forecasted for a slowdown in 2024 with weak Q1 2024 sales reported by leading EV companies, plus news that Apple has just put its EV project to the ground, there is still room for robust EV growth for investors in ASEAN, says Jigar Shah, Head, Sustainability Research, Maybank Investment Banking Group.

In this episode, Chak Reungsinpinya, Head of Research, Maybank Securities Thailand discusses what’s ahead for Thai equities amid challenges that the market is facing, and highlights his favourite stocks at the moment.