ASEAN Speaks

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the world of social advocacy, moving beyond the traditional approach of providing handouts to the needy and disadvantaged. Host Sam Yeow is joined by our guest, Heidy Quah, who leads Refuge for the Refugees, a movement that campaigns for basic human rights such as education and healthcare for refugees. We'll hear from a passionate social advocat...

In this uplifting episode, host Sam Yeow interviews two individuals who share their unique experiences and perspectives on acts of goodwill for the community. We delve into the challenges, barriers, and motivations that drive them to make a difference, demonstrating that no matter your circumstances, you can make a positive impact in your own way. Our first guest, Charis Ding, Co-Founder of MYRead...

From our Weekly Briefing, we highlight our ASEAN+ note and outlook on the KLCI. Host: Winson Phoon, Head of Fixed Income Research Guest: Anand Pathmakanthan, Head of Regional Equity Research For the full conversation with other analysts, go to the Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

Our analysts across ASEAN examine the inflation data in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, and weigh in on the impact of Thai’s elections on its stock market and China’s slower than expected recovery. We also discuss despite the surprise decision by OPEC+ to cut crude oil production, we are maintaining our oil price estimate at $100/barrel for 2023.  00:31 - Roundup - Winson Phoon 04:23 - ID...

A monetary review of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam following new data and interest rate increases, and also the resilience of ASEAN banks vis-a-vis Silicon Valley Bank. Something we might not be able to escape is El Nino which has a 50% chance of surfacing in July and its impact on currencies and palm oil output. 00:31 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias 02:41 - MY GDP - Zamros Dzulkafli 06:08 -...

Looking at the likely outcomes and implications as Thais vote at their General Elections on the 14th of May - what is the likelihood of Pheu Thai founded by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra coming into power? We also consider the potential depth of Singapore's recession as manufacturing drops more than expected in February. And as banks in the US and Europe continue to dominate headlin...

We review possible contagion and currency scenarios, and cut our forecast for Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) after it extended a double-digit decline in February. Looking ahead, we evaluate the Belt & Road plans for ASEAN that were tabled by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) at China’s recent National People’s Congress. 00:20 - Roundup - Winson Phoon 04:05 - Ba...

We look into Bank Negara Malaysia’s decision to keep the OPR unchanged at 2.75%, and our expectations of Bank Indonesia’s policy meeting on Thursday. We also assess the potential impact of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank on Malaysia and Singapore banks. We issued a seminal report on sustainability and found that ASEAN companies under our coverage expanded their ESG adoption despite geopolitics...

As latest data shows that inflation in the US remains elevated while China is focused on growth, our analysts dissect its implications on ASEAN economies and earnings. We also watch for China’s National People’s Congress this week, as well as headwinds slowing Vietnam’s GDP growth as a result of bond defaults. 00:26 – Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias 04:55 - ID interest rate - Lee Ju Ye 06:15 - ID earnings...

Our analysts discuss Malaysia's retabled Budget 2023 and its implications on the economy, bonds and equities. 00:15 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 02:27 - MY Budget 2023 - Suhaimi Ilias 10:51 - MY bond markets - Winson Phoon 15:31 - MY equities - Anand Pathmakanthan 18:14 - ASEAN equities - Anand Pathmakanthan 19:22 - VN property bond defaults - Anand Pathmakanthan 21:21 - MY inflation - Zamros Dzulkifl...

This Friday, on the 24 February, Malaysia will be re-tabling its Budget 2023. We expect it will set the budget deficit to GDP ratio at -5% versus the original Budget at negative 5.5%. We also look at the impact of Singapore’s Budget that was released last week. 00:29 - Roundup - Winson Phoon 04:04 - MY Budget 2023 - Suhaimi Ilias 09:15 - SG Budget - Chua Hak Bin 13:54 - SG Budget on equities - Thi...

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...