ASEAN Speaks

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, shares Maybank's latest outlook for the Singapore market, explaining why the team continues to see upside for the Straits Times Index despite recent earnings downgrades. He discusses how easing energy prices, improving market liquidity, the expected deployment of institutional funds under the Equity Market Development Progr...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how easing tensions between the US and Iran are helping stabilise global markets, even as concerns over AI valuations continue to weigh on Asian equities. He explores why Singapore's resilient macroeconomic outlook continues to stand out, supported by stronger-than-expected growth, benign inflation and improving d...

In this episode, our host Seng Yeow, explores whether global markets are entering a new monetary regime as investors reassess the outlook for interest rates, political risk and the growing role of artificial intelligence in corporate strategy. We begin with US and Asian fixed income markets, where our Head of Fixed Income, Winson Phoon, discusses whether the era of easy money has come to an end fo...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how optimism surrounding a US-Iran peace deal and the reopening of the Straits of Hormuz is easing inflation concerns and supporting risk assets globally. With oil prices falling and central bank pressures easing, he highlights why Singapore markets could be a key beneficiary, supported by strong liquidity, AI-driven...

With China and the US taking two fundamentally different approaches towards developing their AI ecosystems, there is a growing camp that believes that China is in an equally strong position to win the AI race despite technology sanctions. Producer and host Ong Seng Yeow speaks with Maybank's Hong Kong Strategist Ben Ho to deep dive on three key issues: ​Why might China be playing a fundamentally d...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how weakness in US technology stocks, renewed Middle East tensions and rising oil prices are driving investors to reassess regional positioning. As global uncertainty increases, the focus shifts towards domestic growth drivers and markets that can better withstand external volatility. We begin with our Regional Head o...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how improving sentiment surrounding a potential US-Iran agreement to reopen the Straits of Hormuz is lifting regional equities and easing pressure on crude oil prices. Against this backdrop, Singapore’s April NODX numbers reached a 14-year high, reinforcing the view that AI and oil-related activity remain two major dr...

In this episode, our host Ong Seng Yeow, discusses how renewed safe haven demand and shifting global capital flows are influencing Asian markets, even as Singapore corporates continue delivering resilient earnings and strategic growth ambitions. He examines what recent market movements suggest about investor positioning, whether inflows into defensive assets are likely to persist, and the implicat...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how renewed uncertainty surrounding US-Iran peace negotiations is weighing on global sentiment, even as Singapore’s 1Q results season continues to point toward resilient corporate fundamentals and strong earnings expectations. He outlines the key themes emerging across the banking sector, including rising contribution...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how improving sentiment following US efforts to reopen the Straits of Hormuz is easing oil concerns and supporting markets. Commodities remain in focus, alongside key opportunities emerging across banks, healthcare and internet platforms. We begin with our Telco & Internet Analyst, Hussaini Saifee, who introduces...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how improving sentiment following reports of a potential reopening of the Straits of Hormuz is supporting markets as Singapore’s 1Q results season begins. He outlines what to expect for the banking sector, where earnings momentum may be mixed but supported by wealth fees, trading income and safe-haven inflows. We begi...

In this episode, our host Ong Seng Yeow examines how MAS’s first policy tightening since 2022, persistent oil-driven inflation risks and a resilient Singapore dollar are reshaping the investment landscape. We begin with Head of FX Research, Saktiandi Supaat, on why MAS opted to steepen the SGDNEER slope, the outlook for USDSGD, and why SGD basket longs may still be attractive. We then turn to our...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how escalating Middle East tensions and rising oil prices are reinforcing the need for energy security and shaping investment opportunities. We begin with our Analyst, Xuan Hao Toh, who introduces Singapore Investment and Finance as a differentiated opportunity plus idea with strong niche positioning. This is followed...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how the ongoing oil shock and rising geopolitical tensions are reshaping market dynamics, with no clear resolution in sight. The focus turns to identifying opportunities across sectors as energy prices remain elevated. CEO of MIB Securities India, Jigar Shah, joins to explore how higher oil prices are accelerating ene...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how escalating tensions in the Middle East and rising oil prices are increasing stagflation risks and reshaping market expectations. He explores how ASEAN should be positioned as the probability of a prolonged conflict rises. We are joined by Regional Head of Research, Anand Pathmakanthan, who shares his views on shif...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, examines how the Iran conflict, now in its fourth week is keeping oil prices above $100 and driving uncertainty across global markets. Economist Brian joins the show to assess the macro impact on ASEAN economies, including growth, inflation and relative winners and losers. We then take a deep dive into the Singapore market, ana...

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, examines how the escalating Middle East conflict is driving higher oil prices, rising inflation risks and travel disruptions, while highlighting areas of resilience within the Singapore market. Our REITs & Industrials Analyst, Krishna, joins the show to discuss rising global defence spending and why he has upgraded ST Engin...

This episode is a deep dive into the real power shifts in China's EV supply chain and how competitive forces are shaping up in the battery chemistry labs, EV gigafactories and in energy-storage systems.

In this week's ASEAN Speaks , our host Thilan breaks down the key developments shaping Singapore’s markets as the US government shutdown nears resolution and expectations rise for a December Fed rate cut. In light of that, we review Singapore banks’ 3Q results, highlighting why OCBC has been upgraded to BUY, while DBS remains a BUY and UOB a HOLD. Thilan explains the trends driving net interes...

The countdown to year-end has begun and markets are showing momentum. In this week’s episode of Market Monday, host Thilan breaks down the key movers and macro shifts shaping Singapore’s investment landscape. Xuan Hao shares his BUY initiation on iFAST with a target price of SGD11.95, highlighting the catalysts behind the fintech’s strong outlook. Next, we turn to Sheng Siong, which surged nearly...

In this week’s episode of ASEAN Speaks, Thilan Wickramasinghe, our Head of Research, introduces the 3Q25 Singapore banks outlook, and discussed "value-up" reforms that could unlock value and sustain the SMID rally. We then turn to Hussaini Saifee, our TMT analyst, who breaks down his decision to downgrade SEA Limited to a HOLD, citing slower margin recovery. Finally, our host, Jarick See...

In this week’s episode, Seng Yeow hosts, joined by Erica and Hussaini. Seng Yeow opens the discussion with the week’s key geopolitical and macro developments — including renewed Israel–Hamas tensions and the U.S. plan to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports by November 1 — framing them as signs of growing strain in global markets. He notes that “markets don’t die of altitude — they die of exhaus...

In this week’s episode of ASEAN Speaks, Hussaini Saifee, our TMT analyst, introduces the emerging concept of Agentic Commerce — what it means for the future of online shopping, how it compares to existing e-commerce platforms, and the implications for key regional players such as Sea Ltd. We then turn to Malaysia, where our host, Thilan, breaks down the state of digital banks. With five new licens...

In this week’s episode of ASEAN Speaks, Singapore takes center stage with a construction boom that could reshape the economy. Our Macro Team forecasts the sector to grow at more than 5% annually between 2025 and 2030—well above GDP. Hak Bin shares how this compares with past cycles, what’s fueling the surge, the potential spillover to the broader economy, and the key risks to watch. We then move t...

In this week's episode of ASEAN Speaks, out host Thilan unpacks the bullish momentum in Singapore's markets and the launch of SGX's new Next 50 indxed, as well as what they mean for small- and mid-cap investors. Sheryl takes us through Eric's deep dive on ComfortDelGro's underperformance versus the STI, and how earnings from Copenhagen could provide a boost. Finally, Xuan Hao s...