Market Watch

Will 2023 be another year of volatile oil prices as the US and Europe face a cold winter? Tony Nash, CEO of Complete Intelligence tells us his thoughts while we discuss the recently released US macro data on housing sales and consumer confidence. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the global economy reopens and normalcy returns, 2023 looks to be a better year for travel and in turn the aviation industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is forecasting a return with a small net profit of $4.7 billion in 2023, which will be its first profit earned since 2019. Daniel Wong, Senior Analyst at Hong Leong Investment Bank tells us what stocks will benefit from...

The Bank of Japan caught markets off guard by tweaking its yield curve control policy. This allows the yield on the 10-year JGB to move 50 basis points either side of its 0% target. This caused the Yen to appreciate by 4% against the US Dollar. Song Seng Wun, Economist, at CIMB Private Banking tells us the implications of this. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

The KL Property Index is down by a whopping 55% year-to-date, faring far worse than FBM KLCI which is down by 6%. This underperformance has been driven by a combination of issues such as higher interest rates which raises the repayments of consumers, overall worsening inflationary pressures and uncertainty on the general elections which was only recently concluded. With all these confluence of fac...

A handful of major companies like Nike, FedEx will be reporting this week, but is it a foregone conclusion that we are facing not just an economic recession but also an earnings recession? Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us while diving into that debate of EM vs. DM. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Straits Times Index (STI) is now only up 3.8% YTD, but is still one of the better performing markets in Asia. The recent sell off has been roughly in line with other Asia markets with rising recession fears. With 2022 already coming to a close, how should investors be thinking about their portfolios in Singapore and what would be the common investment themes for the year ahead? For insights, w...

The US market has rebounded strongly from the October lows but has since given back some gains. With an imminent recession and still hawkish Fed, it is more likely there will be more downside for US markets. Where should investors start to position their portfolios for a better risk reward profile? For answers, we speak to Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer, Jevons Global. Image credit: Shut...

Major central banks ended the year, raising interest rates as they combat persistent inflation. What does this mean for markets? Tim Mulholland, President at TJM Limited in Chicago tells us whilst giving his asset allocation strategy for 2023. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Fed raising interest rates by 50 bps, we ask Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank, the likely trajectory rates in 2023 as economic projections moderate. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US consumer price index, which is core inflation, posted its smallest monthly advance in more than a year at 0.2%, which is lower than the median estimate of 0.3%. Will this lead the Fed to take a less hawkish stance? Jack Kouzi, Director for Strategy at VFS Group tells us whilst giving us views on the Chinese equities. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

The KL Technology Index has retreated by 32% on a year-to-date basis, with the sector weighed down by rising interest rates, recession concerns and ongoing US-China tensions. Is the worst over for the sector, given signs of peak inflation and easing of Covid-19 policies in China? Desmond Chong of UOB Kay Hian gives us his outlook for the Malaysian tech sector. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnyst...

With a rough start to December for the equity and credit market, how should investors then position for 2023? Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us whilst diving into the opportunities in China as it gradually reopens. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Analysts have been reluctant to cut earnings estimates but with margin compression and a slowing economy, this may be inevitable. What does this mean for equity markets? Brian Arcese, Portfolio Manager & Equity Analyst, Foord Asset Management tells us.  Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The KL Construction Index has been inching up, rising by 2% year to date, beating the performance of the KLCI which is down 6%. So far for 2022, there has been a lack of newsflow on the sector, while the largest infrastructure project MRT 3 has yet to be awarded. However, despite having a new government which would provide some stability for the sector, its strained balance sheet will provide litt...

Interest rates in the US are likely peaking in 2023 as the Fed has guided the pace of rate increases to be smaller, while signs of inflation concerns continue to abate. This is reflected in the widening spreads between the 2 year and 10 year US Treasury which is now at 0.8% compared to 0.4% in September. Will this finally make bonds a viable option as an asset class? For insights, we speak to Jess...

With US interest rates peaking in 2023, it looks like the era of the king dollar is over. So then what is the investment strategy to adopt for 2023? Peter Esho, Co-Founder of Wealthi, a property investment platform, gives us his outlook and whether it is time for value to shine. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Banking sector has been one of the outperformers and more resilient sectors on Bursa Malaysia this year as the KL Finance Index is up 6.8% versus broader FBMKLCI decline of 6%. This has been lifted by a series of cumulative OPR hikes resulting in better Net Interest Margins and in turn Return on Equity However, competition in the banking space is also getting more intense especially in CASA. W...

The spread between the 2 year and 10 year US treasuries have widened with markets saying that a Powell recession is here. We speak to Tony Nash, CEO of Complete Intelligence as to whether he agrees. We also ask him if the recent aggressive job cuts by the tech and now finance sector will be part of the Federal Reserve's decision making process at the next FOMC meeting. Image credit: Shutterstock S...

Australia’s RBA decided to raise rates by 25 basis points with analysts saying that this will be the last hike in this cycle. Other Asian central banks are expected to be less hawkish. Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist at UBP tells us why they can afford to take a different path compared to the Fed. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are signs that point to inflation peaking globally and reaching a point of stability. This may see the bond market finally see some reprieve in 2023 and drive interest in the asset class. With the US Dollar likely to have peaked, will emerging market bonds outperform developed market bonds? For answers, we speak to Dr. Ray Choy, Head of Economics & Research at Opus Asset Management. Imag...

China and HK Equities had a strong November where the Hang Seng Index rose by 25% after a steep correction post the China Party Congress Meeting. With Xi's government already signalling to a gradual opening of the economy, favourable monetary policy and a low interest rate environment, is it time to be bullish on China/HK Equities? For answers, we speak to Lee Kian Soon, CEO, Astral Asset Manageme...

The FBM KLCI's performance in November was pretty stellar, rising by nearly 4% for the month. The recently concluded results season was pretty mixed. Among the large cap sectors, banks' earnings clearly delivered stronger profits lifted by the series of OPR rate hikes this year. Now that a cabinet is in place, the direction of the market in December and moving in 2023 will also hinge on the tablin...

Over the weekend, there was a raft of relaxation measures announced in China over its Covid policies. What does this mean for Asian markets and the economy? Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer at Jevons Global tells us whilst giving us the potential winners of this news. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited shares with us his perspective on the recent comments by Jerome Powell and whether a global recession in 2023 is inevitable. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets rallied on the back of Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments but we ask Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank if the end of rate hikes is indeed near. We also then ask if this will be followed by the demise of King Dollar as it has been seeing weakness in the last few months. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.