Market Watch

Q1'16 still proved to be a difficult period for Malaysian corporates as sentiment and economic headwinds weigh down on earnings. The recent OPEC meeting also came with no surprises with local O&G counters still at near historic lows. Benny Lee thinks investors stand to benefit from sectors that will benefit from a weakening ringgit and the plantation sector where CPO prices are set for a rebou...

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced a move to delay a sales-tax hike for more than two years. Mikio Kumada, Global Strategist at LGT Capital Partners explains why he thinks the move by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to delay a sales-tax hike for more than two years is actually a good thing. He also shares his expectations of MSCI decision in a couple of weeks, on whether to includ...

Despite a seasonally weak quarter, Telekom's 1Q'16 earnings held up against an increasingly competitive landscape, as ARPUs in the industry also came under increased pressure. Tan J Young, Equity Analyst at Hong Leong Investment Bank is also bullish about Webe and how it fits into Telekom's overall portfolio and strategy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does this bull run have legs or is it wounded? The repercussions for this are far and wide, impacting everyone. Listen to Kim Iskyan, Managing Director of True Wealth Publishing, speak about the world's longest bull run and where the market will go next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The positive movement seen in oil prices may not necessarily mean a fundamental recovery to all O&G counters. A selective approach to pick asset-light companies and also avoid highly leveraged-ones is necessary. Kong Ho Meng, Senior Analyst at UOB Kay Hian shares why Bumi Armada is his top pick and outlook for the FPSO sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The resignation of Noble Group's CEO Yusuf Alireza is reflective of both the group's mismanagement and the continued problems in the commodity sector. Gold has fallen from it's recent rise on expectations of a Fed rate hike. The USD's strength will make trades into listed exporters appealing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Philippines presidential elections are done and dusted. Rizki Fajar, Economist at RHB Group, explains how President-elect Duterte is going to implement his economic policies, and how they will affect the Phillippine economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dodge Dorland, Chief Investment Officer at Landor & Fuest Capital Managers in New York shares what he thinks of Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen’s comments that a decision to tighten the monetary policy is possible this summer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heddy Humaizi Hussain, Director Of Institutional Sales at Saturna shares his assessment of corporate earnings so far. He also discusses the reasons that could be driving foreign selling of local equities, which hit a 2016-high last week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crude Brent prices touched US$50/barrel for the first time this year. Listen to Tim Mulholland of China-America Capital Company explain what this means to shale producers in the US and how OPEC is going to react following this news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we look at the Malaysian bond market and how they will likely react to the 1MDB compound fine, FOMC leanings and increase in bank's lending rates? Hasif Murad, Investment Manager at Aberdeen Islamic Asset Management helps us in this endeavour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Le Brun, Market Analyst at OptionsXpress in Sydney discusses the anticipation of central bank action in the US and Australia. He also shares his outlook of the healthcare sector in Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petronas group profits declined 36% y.o.y to RM7 bill with both its upstream and downstream divisions reporting a 71% and 42% decrease respectively. Cashflows could also be strained and may be insufficient to cover 2015 capex and an upcoming dividend obligation of RM16 bill to the government. Despite a recovery in crude-oil prices, further capex cuts are still expected and will be a recurring them...

Citigroup has raised its oil price forecast to $65 per barrel but Michael Yoshikami doesn't agree with that view. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nine months ago, China’s central bank announced it would make the yuan more market-based. However recent documents have shown that the PBOC has now abandoned the policy. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at US Trust-BoA Private Wealth Management in New York discusses what has caused this back-pedalling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With 30 days until the Brexit referendum on the vote to leave or stay within the European Union, is it a fait acompli? Listen to Jameel Ahmad, Chief Market Analyst at FXTM break down the issues See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US markets were weak last week because the latest FOMC minutes revealed that the Fed is becoming more OK with a June rate rise. This will have an obvious bearing on the US-Japan standoff currently going on about the yen's strength. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The release of Q1 GDP figures indicates a cautiously optimistic outlook for the Malaysian economy. Listen to Jameel Ahmad, Chief Market Analyst at FXTM explain the key areas to look out for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite that strong 1.7% GDP growth Japan achieved in the first quarter, investment in the private sector was weak. Further stimulus is needed otherwise a slowdown will ensue. A US-Japan political standoff is also developing because of the yen's strength. Investments are now risk-off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does a neutral property sector look like? This is what some see as Malaysia's default position for 2016. Lee Tien Xiang, Senior Analyst at Fundsupermart breaks down this view, and also explains how this will affect developers, as well as the banking sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billionaire investor George Soros has increased his holdings in gold and gold stocks. The precious metal has already climbed 20 percent this year, after three years of declines. Is it too late to get into the gold game? Ben Le Brun, market analyst at OptionsXpress doesn't seem to think so. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s 1Q GDP grew at a slower pace of 4.2% y-o-y, the slowest growth since mid-2009. Still, the market had expected worse, with 4% growth pencilled in. So in a way, the 1Q figures had surprised on the upside. Wellian Wiranto, economist at OCBC Bank, gets into the details of Malaysia's 1Q GDP numbers and the key downside risks to the economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Momentum is definitely slowing down in China. The government is moving in the direction of stabilisation compared to their previous stimulus policy. Headwinds also exist for Asian currencies and markets See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crude oil prices has climbed and may readjust to $40 - $50 per barrel, in the latest sign of recovery in the oil market. Danny Wong, CEO of Areca Capital says there are opportunities for investors in this sector and specific oil & gas counters are worth a re-look. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a turbulent equity space, REITs are becoming defensive picks for local investors searching for yields. Whilst the market is seeing a case of oversupply in both the office & retail space segment, DPUs are expected to remain stable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.