ASEAN Speaks

A chemical company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Indorama Ventures (IVL) is the leading manufacturer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET or polyester) and fibers, with more than 100 operating sites across over 30 countries. We speak to Yash Lohia, IVL’s second generation leader, Executive Director and Chief Sustainability Officer about building an infrastructure for a circular economy e...

Building on the theme of weaker growth, our analysts discuss their outlook - outperformance for the next 6 months within Asia Pacific, emerging market currencies and Yen, and Malaysia’s economy and equities strategy in the second half of this year. 00:21 - Roundup - Ong Seng Yeow 01:38 - Potential for outperformance in Asia - Chan Han Chin 06:39 - MY: S&P revision - Winson Phoon 13:27 - EM FX...

In the current bearish market, what type of stocks and portfolio would lead? Has the US markets priced in all possible rate hikes? What is the likelihood of a recession? We ask Chan Han Chin, portfolio strategist at Maybank Investment Banking Group (Maybank IBG). Presenter & Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

As inflation accelerates in some key markets of ASEAN, our analysts at Maybank Investment Banking Group (Maybank IBG) discuss their broader implications on banking asset quality, policy rate moves, and ASEAN equities strategy. 00:29 - Roundup - Winson Phoon 04:07 - MY inflation - Suhaimi Ilias 07:56 - PH inflation - Suhaimi Ilias 09:06 - SG inflation - Lee Ju Ye 13:00 - ID interest rate - Lee Ju Y...

The Fed hiked interest rate by 75bps, the largest increase at a meeting since 1994. What can we expect in the remaining four FOMC meetings this year? As ASEAN are largely food exporters, what are the opportunities and risks as a result of food inflation? And what’s the likelihood of Laos defaulting on its debts? 00:31 - Roundup - Winson Phoon 04:20 - Fed ups 75bps - Suhaimi Ilias 10:51 - Food infl...

We highlight some key conversations that took place at Invest ASEAN 2022, starting from understanding the biggest issues that will affect us in the next five years to thriving in an uncertain environment. We see sustainability as the way forward, supported by inclusive and equitable growth. The podcast features: 00:29 - Rodger Baker, SVP of Strategic Analysis, Stratfor 05:00 - Tensie Whelan, Clini...

Our economists do a deep dive on interest rate expectations; how ASEAN remains the cleanest dirty shirt as developed markets struggle; while it is land of smiles again for Thai tourism; and if it's time to return to Vietnam's markets. 00:32 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 04:17 - MY 2Q GDP forecast - Suhaimi Ilias 09:48 - ID interest rate forecast - Lee Ju Ye 11:39 - TH interest rate - Lee Ju Ye 13:57 -...

Analysts based in Singapore, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City—vastly different economies—discuss their outlook for the rest of the year due to headwinds, emerging trends such as shophouses in Singapore, data centres in the Philippines, and satellite townships in Vietnam, and segments that are resilient in the real estate sector. 00:20 - Leonard Tay, Head of Research, Knight Frank Singapore 14:05 - Sevi...

Maybank’s analysts interpret the slew of economic data that came out from Singapore, Bank of Indonesia’s decision to hold interest rate, Malaysia’s inflation that remains relatively low, Vietnam’s economic data, and the broad based recovery of hoteliers in Thailand. 00:22 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias 06:11 - SG GDP, inflation - Chua Hak Bin 11:05 - ID interest rate - Lee Ju Ye 14:35 - MY consumer pri...

We unpack Singapore’s slowing growth in non-oil domestic exports (NODX) in April since February, and examine the effects of the wheat export ban by India on Indonesia’s consumer companies, and the risk of re-imposition of Indonesia’s palm oil export ban, and if it is time to bottom-fish regional tech champions, Grab and SEA, ending with what will lift the Renminbi. 00:17 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias...

Amidst global markets coming under pressure on the back of US economic woes, interest rate hikes, and soaring inflation, is ASEAN proving to be the “cleanest dirty shirt”? 00:38 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 04:27 - OPR hike - Suhaimi Ilias 10:14 - Impact on banks - Desmond Ch’ng 12:02 - Bond yields - Winson Phoon 16:02 - ASEAN strategy - Anand Pathmakanthan 18:57 - Marcos Jr’s win - Jacqui de Jesus 20...

Unpacking the headlines moving markets and ASEAN tailwinds, and casting our eyes to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) on the impact of global supply chain disruptions, favoured markets as ASEAN outperforms, and impact of Indonesia's palm oil export ban. 00:27 - Roundup - Winson Phoon 04:25 - Headwinds, crosswinds - Chua Hak Bin 09:14 - CLMV - Brian Lee 16:14 - USD, Asian currencies, RMB -...

Preparing you for the week ahead with a slew of updates and analysis. 00:28 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 05:56 - MY exports, RM - Suhaimi Ilias 11:00 - ID GDP - Lee Ju Ye 13:26 - ID palm oil exports ban - Ong Chee Ting 15:54 - MY stocks - Anand Pathmakanthan 20:36 - Potential MY bond downgrades - See Tho Mun Yi 23:42 - TH property - Vanida Geisler 27:15 - PH property & mobility - Miguel Sevidal 28...

With candour and humour, in his final interview as Maybank Group President & CEO, Dato’ Sri Abdul Farid Alias recounts pivotal moments at the bank, and discusses topics close to his heart: leadership, culture, digitalisation and sustainability, adding life lessons from his humble background. Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed, CEO of Maybank Investment Bank speaks to him in the inaugural episode of our C-Sui...

In a series of conversations, we discuss the game changing opportunities, notably for solar industry players, as presented by Malaysia’s Renewable Energy (RE) Roadmap. If things go according to plan, RE contribution could increase from 23% of the total energy mix to 31% in 2025, and 40% in 2035. Apart from its environmental benefits, RE increases energy diversity and lowers energy security risk, w...

In response to rising inflation, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has tightened its monetary policy by re-centering the midpoint of its exchange rate policy band to the prevailing level and steepening the slope, allowing the Singapore dollar to strengthen against currencies of its trading partners. Our analysts discuss the far-reaching implications of this move, as well as their updates f...

Maybank has cut Vietnam’s GDP forecast for 2022 to 5.8% from 6.7% due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and supply chain disruptions from lockdowns in Shanghai. What are the specific challenges investors should take note of although recovery is expected to remain on track in Vietnam? Brian Lee, our Economist, drills down the details. Presenter & Producer: Noelle Lim

Singapore’s Q1 2022 GDP will be released this week. We cover Maybank’s expectations of growth and interest rate policy responses as inflation grows the fastest in this decade. Also, top of today’s research is ASEAN X Macro thematic report on inflation drivers and risks, and our model portfolio strategy for Thailand. 00:26 - Roundup - Winson Phoon 04:17 - SG 1Q GDP - Chua Hak Bin 07:40 - SGD if re-...

To prepare you for the week, our analysts breakdown the latest economic data and reports from Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, and consider their broader implications on markets, revision to outlook and the banking sector. 00:24 - Round-up - Chua Hak Bin 04:52 - MY economics - Suhaimi Ilias 10:09 - MY banks - Desmond Ch’ng 13:12 - Curve inversion - Winson Phoon 16:54 - ASEAN strategy - Anand Pathm...

One of the largest public listed companies in Thailand and one of the oldest conglomerates in ASEAN, established in 1913 by a royal decree, SCG is future-proofing and staying competitive by making sustainability a business case. Pertinently so when cement manufacturing is one of the top sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. CEO of SCG, Roongrote Rangsiyopash, and the CEO of SCG Chemica...

Our analysts discuss the implications of fuel subsidies more than doubling in Malaysia and exports outlook in view of oil and commodities prices; would the Renminbi emerge as a viable alternative to the USD as the US weaponises the global settlement system; impact of Russia-Ukraine war on the Philippines and Thailands’ economies and policy decisions; earnings risks and high conviction buys in Thai...

Our analysts across the region discuss recent economic data, outlook and investment strategy in view of global inflation, growth headwinds, and China’s flash lockdowns. 00:21 - Round-up - Winson Phoon 03:32 - MY outlook, EPF withdrawal - Suhaimi Ilias 08:33 - SG GDP forecast - Chua Hak Bin 13:59 - SG exposure to Europe - Thilan Wickramasinghe 17:08 - ID GDP forecast - Lee Ju Ye 22:16 - ASEAN fortn...

Our analysts look ahead to the collateral damage of the Russia-Ukraine war on ASEAN, and what Barisan Nasional’s win in Johor means for Malaysian markets, adding views on favoured stocks. Tune it to the conversation to prepare for the week. 00:36 - Round-up - Suhaimi Ilias 07:14 - Economics, trade risks - Chua Hak Bin 12:57 -  Forex impact - Saktiandi Supaat 18:19 - MY resilience - Chan Han C...

Inflation, Russia-Ukraine tensions and climate change are piling pressure on global food systems. ASEAN as a major food producing and agriculture region is ripe for innovation to bolster its own food security. Ho Ren Hua, CEO of Thai Wah, discusses how he wants to transform agrifood in the region, including where he sees a right to win in the challenging agritech sector. Listed on SET, Thai Wah is...

Chua Su Tye, our Head of REITs Research discusses his recommendations on S-REITs (real estate investment trusts) for yields in light of rising interest rate and inflation, the Russia-Ukraine crisis and risk of recession in Europe. Terms mentioned: DPU (distribution per unit), Revpar (revenue per available room), and WALE (weighted average lease expiry). Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim