Market Watch

US President Donald Trump made an about-turn on China as a currency manipulator. Ben thinks we are seeing a more pragmatic US President, who is currently faced with a geopolitical storm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While large corporate bond issues were snapped up in the first quarter, the market will be looking for signs of how the Fed will unwind is $4.5trillion balance sheet.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board reported a 16.3% on year gain for production in March. David however believes production will be challenged by El Nino and soybean moving foward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Against a challenging backdrop, Sapura Energy returned to the black posting net profit of RM204m in FY17. More earnings upside is seen from the group's first gas development project as well as improving demand in Brazil. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gains in the FBMKLCI is unlikely to spillover to the 2Q'17, as the rally will be tampered by large outflows from MGS-bonds that are set to mature in the period. Vincent Khoo, Head of Research also shares his thoughts on the amendments to the Common Gaming Houses Act and impact to gaming stocks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent termination of its FPSO Lam Son contract in Vietnam may be a non-event for the group, as Petrovietnam intends to continue production at the field. More earnings upside is also seen from its fifth FPSO Genesis, recent contract win at Ca Rong Do, and adoption of a dividend policy by the group.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With interest rates at a record low of 1.5%, the Reserve Bank of Australia is having to balance rising housing prices while stemming growing unemployment. Ben also provides an outlook on what could be a testing 48 hours for US President Donald Trump, as he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping while attempting to overhaul Obamacare and swear in his Supreme Court nominee. See omnystudio.com/liste...

From Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Jeffrey Lacker's resignation, to the possibility of a Trump policy win, it's shaping up to be an eventful week overall in the States. Dodge also weighs in on South Africa's credit ratings downgrade to 'junk' status. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oldtown Berhad posted core earnings of RM24.4m for 3Q'17, doubling y-o-y as the group ramps up its expansion in China and taps into regional demand. An election is expected to be called this year, which could also bring about election goodies or handouts, providing a boost for the consumer sector.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investors might be ignoring the dark clouds Europe is facing by the US should chug along. Emerging market is also now worth a look. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite a traditionally weak quarter, Sasbadi registered core earnings of RM4.3m in Q1'17 boosted by contribution from its Lego Education and network marketing segment. Further upside is seen from potential earnings-accretive M&As and further contract awards.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US 4Q16 GDP grew faster than expected, which Kingsley says is a "continuation of a positive trend of the underlying strength" of the world's largest economy. He also shares his outlook on global markets, and the balance of risks between politics and economics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reeling from the effects of weaker sentiment, headline profit in the consumer sector fell 16% y-o-y, as players also expect further margin compression from higher raw material prices. Yap Po Leen, Analyst at Affin Hwang Capital discusses further on the new Price-Control Act, impact to industry players and top picks.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The scary question is whether France would vote for an exit which would lead to the collapse of the EU. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Total premiums in the insurance sector increased by 4.4% to RM61.3b, continuing its positive trend as insurers tap into the country's under-insured market. The second phase of the motor detariffication set to take effect on July 2017 will likely spur further rationalisation and possibly lead to margin compression as competition intensifies.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

After the failure to overhaul Obamacare, President Donald Trump has moved on to boosting US energy jobs. POTUS also has a meeting with Gary Cohn, head of the National Economic Council, to discuss tax reform. Dodge, however, thinks that Trump's legislative win this year may come from another front. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like its Malaysian counterpart, the telco sector in Singapore is facing similar challenges with cut-throat competition in the industry and new entrants in the market. Eugene Chua, Investment Analyst discusses how the 3 incumbents will be impacted and if he expects dividend cuts as well.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore-based Steve Brice, Chief Investment Strategist at Standard Chartered Bank, discusses the sustained correction at the Dow, the Trump tax plan,oil prices and promised OPEC cuts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Schenker tells us whether an extension of the OPEC production cut agreement expiring in June is viable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following last year's 4.2% GDP growth, Bank Negara expects Malaysia's economy to expand by about 4.3% - 4.8% in 2017. Vishnu looks at how inflation and ringgit volatility may also weigh on the central bank's policy considerations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the US market rally takes a breather, the healthcare new bill will be a test case for Trump's ability to garner support for reflationary policies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Le Brun, Market Analyst for OptionsXpress, Sydney, discusses yesterday’s stocks selloff, the Trump tax plan, the US dollar, America's fundamentals and Australia’s looming diplomatic hurdle, with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence both arriving Down Under. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore property counters are staging a rally, after an announcement by the government to ease some of the property cooling measures it had in place. We ask Rachel Tan, Analyst with DBS Bank if this rally is sustainable and if she expects further easing in the sector.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Policy risk has been a theme among investors, ahead of a vote by the US House of Representatives to repeal Obamacare. Dodge also talks about other macro developments that are feeding into his short-term investment perspective. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market sentiment has improved on Bursa Malaysia, three months into 2017. We check in with AllianceDBS on the health of Malaysia's property sector, and which counters are poised to deliver strongly on their earnings this year.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.