Market Watch

The S&P500 hit another new high which has many questioned the extent of US exceptionalism. With valuations expensive, trading at a price earnings ratio of 28X, what upside potential is there? Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited, Chicago. tells us. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The construction sector was the biggest winner in 2024, up more than 60%, due to two strong themes: data centres and the Johor-Singapore SEZ. But has that already been priced in or will we still see upside this year for construction stocks? Chong Tjen San from CGS International weighs in. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street has been on a tear since Donald Trump officially took office as the 47th US president. Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank, shares his analysis on the latest US economic data, particularly with regards to payrolls and inflation, as well as how he thinks the ringgit has been performing. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

President Donald Trump wasted little time as he moved into the White House for his second term, signing several executive orders to kickstart what he touted would be America’s Golden Age. Song Seng Wun, an economic advisor at CGS International Securities shares his thoughts on what the next four years might bring. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices have started on a strong note with brent hitting a 5 month high on the back of Donald Trump presidency. We ask Vandana Hari, Founder & CEO, Vanda Insights whether this trend is sustainable and what will be the factors to consider to determine oil prices for 2025. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although there still remains uncertainty over President Donald Trump's economic policies and priorities, the domestic economy looks to benefit. We ask Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management for the strategy to adopt and what impact this might have on Fed Fund rate direction. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global markets are expected to remain volatile with Trump 2.0 and an uncertain Fed fund policy. How should investors position themselves for outperformance in 2025? James Cheo, Chief Investment Officer, Southeast Asia and India, HSBC Global Private Banking & Wealth gives us his perspective. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the US economy remains buoyant, Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst & Writer, The Macro Butler Newsletter reminds us that the consumer that Trump faced in 2017 will be very different from today's as we navigate what Trump's re-inauguration will mean for the broader global economy. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street has been unpredictable so far in the first couple of weeks of 2025 although the US dollar remains robust and treasury yields staying elevated. Yeap Jun Rong, Market Strategist, IG International shares his perspectives. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore's Straits Times Index surged by 16.9% last year, making its first significant charge towards its all-time high in 17 years - will we see this rally continuing this year? Geoff Howie, Market Strategist from the Singapore Exchange discusses the outlook of Singaporean equities with us. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street's stocks rallied as the US CPI rose in December by less than forecast, sparking hopes that Fed will cut rates sooner than previously thought. Tony Nash, the CEO of Complete Intelligence, talks about potential trading strategies and themes going into 2025 especially with a Trump administration taking office for a second round. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener f...

This week saw US PPI data coming in below expectations and follow a strong jobs report the week before. All eyes will now be on the CPI number today for an insight into what the Federal Reserve's rate-setting trajectory might be like in 2025. Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist, UBP, shares his views. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Japanese equity market rallied in 2024, registering a return of close to 20% with the Nikkei 225 hitting an all time new high in late March after 35 years. Andrew Jackson Head of Equity Strategy, Ortus Advisors, talks about his expectations for 2025 and whether or not the Land of the Rising Sun will again be the Land of the Rising Stocks this year. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See...

2024 was a volatile year for fixed income due to geopolitical concerns and risk of a global recession, yet yields and asset prices remained near high. Will this trend continue in 2025? Howe Chung Wan, Managing Director and Head of Asia Fixed Income, Principal Asset Management shares his perspectives. This Market Outlook is brought to you by Principal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Investors appeared to have rotated out of tech stocks causing a dip in the Nasdaq overnight, while there was a focus on energy plays as crude oil prices staged a rebound. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management, discusses why he remains upbeat about US equities going forward. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The banking sector is often seen as a barometer of an economy and typically a sector heavyweight on any index. Which is why it is timely to check in how Banks will perform in 2025 and which will be the outperformers? Chan Jit Hoong from Hong Leong Investment Bank tells us.  Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer, Jevons Global translates what the latest US jobs report means for investors as markets reacted negatively amid expectations that US rates would remain higher for longer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's real estate market grew significantly last year, with data showing major real estate transactions nearly doubling to RM13.9 billion in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the previous year. Jessica Low, Senior analyst, MIDF Research, shares her thoughts on how the tech sector will provide the bright spark for property along with the recently-announced Johor-Singapore Special Econo...

The latest minutes from the Federal Reserve's December meeting released on Wednesday hinted at risks to inflation, adding to concerns of fewer rate cuts in 2025. Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited, talks about what to expect from the US payrolls report, due out on Friday, for a clue where interest rates might head, with the Trump presidency set to begin in 10 days' time. Image Credit: Shutters...

The FOMC meeting minutes for December was released yesterday, indicating a more hawkish inflation view for the US, adding to investors’ concerns that there may be fewer rate cuts than expected in 2025. Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank, shares his insights into the direction of currencies like the USD, CNY as well as how the MYR might be impacted. Image Credit: Shutter...

US markets retreated overnight as investors digested the latest economic data pointing to a resilient US economy and concerns over inflationary policies under incoming President Donald Trump. What does this mean for future Federal Reserve interest rate decisions? We discuss the trends to watch with independent market analyst Laurent Lequeu. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listene...

The Bursa Malaysia Construction Index has surged more than 50% over the past year, outperforming the benchmark FBM KLCI. Can the construction sector sustain this rally, and what are the potential headwinds that could derail its upward trajectory? For more insights, we speak with Adam Mohamed Rahim, Equity Research Analyst at RHB Research. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener...

US labour data is due at the end of the week, but the focus for the US Federal Reserve will likely be on inflation in determining their next course of action. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at the US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management discusses the variables at play in monetary policy and what that means for US equity outlook. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Market consensus is expecting a third consecutive year of double digit returns for the US equities in 2025, but are these predictions overly optimistic? Kelvin Wong of OANDA gives his reasons to stay cautious on US markets, including a potentially more hawkish Federal Reserve. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial Intelligence was a very strong theme in equity markets last year, exemplified by Nvidia's skyrocketing share price. But how would this theme translate for Malaysian equities?  We discuss the stocks that stand to benefit from the AI trend with Peter Kong, Head of Research at Kenanga Investment Bank. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...