ASEAN Speaks

Our analysts dovetail into the effects of China’s re-opening and the impact on Singapore’s bank earnings to be released this week. We also discuss our first reports of the year on Singapore REITs and China’s inflation; revisit property developers in Penang; and consider the policy stance of Kazuo Ueda, expected to be the next governor of the Bank of Japan. 00:23 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 02:37 - MY...

At the FOMC meeting last week, the Fed hiked rate by 25bp, and recognised that the disinflationary process has started. Our analysts project what’s ahead for more hikes, implications on bonds and our forex strategy for ASEAN. Singapore will also be unveiling its Budget on 14 February - we examine how it will be a Valentine’s gift for Singaporeans. 00:29 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias 05:13 - US rates -...

Our analysts discuss the impact of China’s re-opening across ASEAN in terms of growth and inflation; what we need to watch as the US hits its debt ceiling, and structural issues of Malaysia’s oil palm sector. 00:21 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias 04:50 - MY banks - Desmond Ch’ng 06:58 - ID interest rate outlook - Lee Ju Ye 08:38 - TH interest rate outlook - Lee Ju Ye 09:40 - PH GDP - Zamros Dzulkifli 12...

While fading re-opening tailwinds and interest rate hikes will weigh on growth in 2023, balanced by China’s Covid easing, our analysts discuss undervalued beneficiaries in ASEAN, and Indonesia electric vehicle (EV) stocks to watch. 00:19 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 02:16 - ASEAN highlights - Anand Pathmakanthan 07:15 - Gloves - Wong Wei Sum 08:22 - TH picks, elections - Yuwanee Prommaporn 10:51 - TH...

The Indonesian equity market was one of the best performing in Asia Pacific but may not be so in 2023 despite China’s re-opening and pre-election goodies. Jeffrosenberg Chen Lim, Head of Equity Research at Maybank Sekuritas explains. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

While ASEAN has been a defensive harbour for investors, the fortunes of individual markets would vary. Our analysts discuss supportive factors and potential headwinds. 00:14 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias 01:14 - SG growth - Chua Hak Bin 04:52 - ID, TH inflation - Lee Ju Ye 07:32 - PH inflation - Zamros Dzulkifli 09:32 - Credit outlook - Winson Phoon 13:34 - MY equities - Anand Pathmakanthan 15:32 - SG...

Master Ken Koh, founder of the House of Fengshui in Singapore discusses the fengshui outlook for the markets and businesses in 2023 - the good and the bad. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Chan Han Chin, Portfolio Strategist at Maybank Investment Bank discusses the model portfolios that his team has created and how best investors should position themselves in a year of two halves (volatility followed by recovery) and the possible scenario of a continuing permacrisis (permanent crisis). Presenter & Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

As the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank meet respectively this week to decide on rates, our analysts look at what’s in store for ASEAN inflation, markets and investment themes for 2023 including our top Malaysia and Singapore ESG stock picks. 00:17 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 02:20 - FOMC - 4 things - Suhaimi Ilias 04:02 - ECB expectations - Suhaimi Ilias 05:10 - TH inflation drop - Lee Ju Y...

Southeast Asia is expected to be ahead in the adoption of Web 3.0 and metaverse-related tools and technologies. We discuss the catalysts with Dhruv Vohra, who is the Managing Director of Meta (formerly known as Facebook) Business Group, Southeast Asia. For more info, check out Meta’s study with Bain & Co on Southeast Asia Digital Consumers here Producer and presenter: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Our analysts unpack their 2023 Year Ahead: Defensive Harbour report—forecasting a mild global recession with ASEAN-6 markets emerging as a defensive play, delivering yet again higher GDP growth than China. 00:15 - Roundup - Ong Seng Yeow 00:56 - Fed moves - Suhaimi Ilias 07:40 - ASEAN inflation - Chua Hak Bin 09:45 - ASEAN interest rate - Chua Hak Bin 11:12 - Bonds outlook - Se Tho Mun Yi 15:13 -...

Appointed as President & Group CEO of Petronas in 2020, Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Kamadjaja Aziz felt a huge sense of national responsibility and “amanah” coming into the job. One of the first things he did was to announce Petronas' ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the first oil and gas company in Southeast Asia to declare this commitment. He speaks with Dato’ Fad...

Singapore’s final third quarter GDP growth came in lower than advance estimate due to a downgrade in manufacturing, mainly the electronics cluster. Meanwhile Thailand’s GDP growth of the same quarter accelerated to its fastest pace in five quarters, supported by rebound in tourism and private consumption. Finally, we turn to bonds, ASEAN equities and currencies heading into 2023.  00:29 - Rou...

Dato’ Ami Moris, the outgoing CEO of Maybank Investment Banking Group shares her extraordinary journey of leading a regional investment bank, and her life experiences that shaped her values. As a prominent advocate of sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), Ami is also Chair of the 30% Club Malaysia. Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed, the CEO of Maybank Investment Bank speaks with her. Produce...

Malaysia’s general elections ended in hung parliament with no majority winner, while Singapore’s non-oil exports contraction points to a recession in 2023. Tune in to the conversation. 00:20 - Roundup - Winson Phoon 04:28 - MY elections - Suhaimi Ilias 08:14 - MY markets - Anand Pathmakanthan 10:25 - SG non-oil exports - Chua Hak Bin 12:34 - ID GDP - Lee Ju Ye 16:23 - PH interest rate - Zamros Dzu...

The fourth episode of our series 'Exploring Sustainable Values' explores the future of sustainable impact and effective integration between ESG principles and Islamic Finance. Dato’ Rafique Merican, Group CEO of Islamic Banking, Maybank, talks about the future of sustainable Islamic Finance, the initiatives, and technologies to look forward to.

US inflation data came in lower than expected. Our analysts discuss the broader trend, and if the US will slow rate hike. And as Malaysia goes to the polls this Saturday, we look into the impact on markets in this tight race. 00:22 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 04:21 - US bond yields - Winson Phoon 06:42 - ASEAN bonds - Winson 07:34 - USD inflection - Saktiandi Supaat 10:05 - MYR appreciation - Saktian...

The third episode of our series 'Exploring Sustainable Values' focuses on implementing Systems Thinking into Sustainable Finance. James Vaccaro, CEO of RePattern shares his perspectives on current trends in the sustainable financial sector, challenges to tackle, and introduces a systems thinking perspective on the notion of sustainability.

Our analysts unpack a slew of economic data in the region as well as earnings of Singapore banks with DBS Bank as our top pick. 00:15 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 03:59 - US interest rate - Suhaimi Ilias 05:38 - MY interest rate - Suhaimi 06:57 - ID inflation rate - Lee Ju Ye 08:33 - PH inflation rate - Zamros Dzulkafli 10:13 - TH foreign reserves - Ju Ye 12:39 - Cambodia economy - Brian Lee 13:57 - M...

The second episode of our series 'Exploring Sustainable Values' aims to explore and understand the role of leaders when it comes to leading a value-based organisation. We spoke to Dr. Aamir A. Rehman, founder of Fajr Capital where he provides insights on the struggles, barriers and attributes that makeup a leader when implementing sustainability values. 

Our analysts review what’s going on in the region - will there be a stagflation in Singapore, can we anticipate more interest rate hikes in Vietnam following two jumbo ones, and how should we get more defensive in ASEAN as central banks further tighten. 00:24 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias 04:38 - SG stagflation? - Chua Hak Bin 09:20 - VN interest rate - Brian Lee 12:56 - TH outlook - Lee Ju Ye 15:06 -...

The Chinese Communist Party’s 20th National Congress came to a close on Sunday, and President Xi Jinping extended a rare third term as the Party’s leader. We discuss the economic outlook for China and its impact on ASEAN in the event of a re-opening, and if the USD has peaked. 00:26 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias 04:25 - China - Chua Hak Bin 11:28 - ID macro - Lee Ju Ye 14:43 - VN Dong, reserves, rates...

The first episode of our series 'Exploring Islamic Values' aims to introduce the uninitiated to the world of sustainability, Islamic Finance, and the relationship between the two fields. We spoke to the general public to understand their point of view and address any misconceptions they might have.

Malaysia’s upcoming General Elections will be the most exciting with multi cornered fights, and a 40% jump in new voters, mainly the young. Meanwhile Singapore avoided a technical recession but inflation risk remains elevated and another tightening is forecasted. Over at the best performing equity market in ASEAN, Indonesia, our analysts recommend to take profit now. MY GE Scenario 1 win: UMNO-led...

Our analysts round up their thoughts on Malaysia’s Budget 2023 record spending of RM372 bil in view of the Prime Minister announcing a dissolution of Parliament and the general elections to be held within 60 days. 00:25 - Intro - Ong Seng Yeow 00:58 - USD support - Saktiandi Supaat 03:29 - Plaza Accord 2.0? - Andi 05:58 - MY Budget 2023 - Suhaimi Ilias 09:46 - Oil price, politics - Liaw Thong Jung...