Market Watch

The US reported weak November housing growth which led some analysts to comment that this is at odds with a recovering economy. However, growth over the last few months had been strong but there exists labour shortages which slows down housing construction. Also, we continue to ask the question of how the strong US dollar in an economy which is 70% consumption-driven will lift exports of emerging...

First the World Bank and now UBS has downgraded Malaysia's GDP growth to 4.5% for 2015, below official targets of 5-6%. Shan Saeed, however, thinks that Malaysia will continue to do well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Run team gives you a wrap up of how the US markets ended on Friday as well as what to look out for this Christmas week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helen Tan, head of equities for Pacific Mutual Fund, gives a look back on the year that was and talks about what sectors shone and which disappointed. She also talks about what the year was for IPOs both home and abroad, what could potentially excite next year.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it "be patient" or "considerable time" as far as US interest rates are concerned? Or, judging by the US market jump last night, "be patient for a considerable time"? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The highly capital intensive oil & gas support businesses which require high amounts of borrowings may suffer pain from downgrades in revenues. We explore whether this will have contagion effects in the market and whether it it time to re-enter the sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben LeBrun, market analyst with Options Express talks about where the money currently being pulled out of oil and gas could possibly go. He also gives his take on the contrasting fates of Russia and the US, and the potential highlights and pitfalls for both the emerging markets and Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stan Shamu, market strategist with IG gives his take on the recent economic numbers coming out of Australia and what the outlook is down under. He also gives his view on the recent market volatility and what sectors could potentially surprise in 2015. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Warrants Wednesday we take a look at the warrants of Johor-centric property developer KSL Holdings Bhd. The company holds an extremely positive outlook for the coming year so we look at the performance of its share price and what else is peeking over the horizon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saw Soon Chin, fund manager for equities at AmInvest, discusses the corporate earnings report card for 2014, and the sectors that have disappointed and those that have performed. He also shares his investment strategy for the year ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Michael A Yoshikami, founder and chief executive officer for Destination Wealth Management talks about the steep hike in rates by Russia's central bank, which caused the rouble to go into free fall. He also talks China's weaker numbers, oil prices and whether there is any upside to the emerging markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While OPEC remains adamant about not cutting oil production, oil price levels of $40-50 are being bandied about. Also, what does a growth level of below 7% mean for China and the rest of the emerging markets? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Ang, investment analyst with Phillip Futures gives his view on the weak ringgit and whether the naysayers are right in saying that it would not help exports. He also talks about what the outlook is for the regional currencies, and what are the potential bright spots on the horizon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philippines' GDP performed below expectations in the third quarter but being a net oil importer, the economy is expected to reap an oil price dividend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dodge O Dorland, chief investment officer for Landor & Fuest Capital Managers gives his view on the US Congress approving a controversial USD1.1 trillion spending bill despite much contention on both sides. He also talks about Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's victory at the polls as to whether it was due to confidence or apathy. He also addresses the continuing slide in both oil prices and...

Malaysia will remove mandatory requirements for credit ratings from 2017 to broaden its corporate bond market. This will open up new investing opportunities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's poor November trade numbers and the big oil price crash is very problematic Australia's resource-based economy. There is also increasing talk of an oil-triggered credit crunch elsewhere in the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Warrants Wednesday we take a look at Minetech's new warrants that currently hold a premium of 111%. We scrutinise Minetech's latest earnings as well as a peek at its prospects. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Weston, chief market strategist for IG talks about the slump in global markets, specifically the 5% drop in the Shanghai Composite Index, and whether its the result of temporary jitters or ongoing concerns. He also gives his take on the performance of the RMB as well as other major currencies, as well as Shinzo Abe's chances are Japan goes to polls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

The ringgit has fallen more than the other Asean currencies when compared to the US Dollar. This is expected to be good for the country's exports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global markets were hit by a multi-year low in oil prices. Some traders are taking advantage of this by pouring money into oil-related ETFs and oil futures. The VIX which is a measure of the price of risk also rose sharply. Emerging market currencies and stocks were not spared especially given China's ugly trade numbers and worse than expected revised Japanese GDP growth. See omnystudio.com/listen...

President Obama declares that the strong job growth coming out of the US is no fluke. The question is whether this will result in higher inflationary pressure and push up interest rates sooner rather than later. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ho Woei Chen, economist with United Overseas Bank Ltd talks about how the moderated 3Q GDP numbers for Malaysia have impacted monetary policy. She also talks about how the weakening ringgit is affecting sentiment, what sectors to look out for next year and what to expect from the upcoming 4Q numbers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The language of the ECB meeting suggests quantitative easing is forthcoming but they probably need to iron out some challenges like the absence of a unified bond market and how oil prices are blurring the inflation measurement. We also look at what's happening in Russia, China and India See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Howie Lee, investment analyst with Phillip Futures sums up the performances of the regional equity indices for 2014, talks about the outlook of the Malaysian economy for 2015 and states which economy gets his backing in the coming year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.