Asia Centric by Bloomberg Intelligence

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was forecast to win his country’s election by a landslide, but was instead forced to form a coalition government and share power with allies for the first time since coming to power in 2014. So how will the shock election result affect India’s growth trajectory? And what does it mean for its red-hot equity markets? Abhishek Gupta, India Economist at Bloomberg Economics, and Nitin Chanduka, India Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, join John Lee and Ishika Mookerjee on the Asia Centric podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Chao, Global Market Strategist (Asia Pacific) at Invesco, dives into the implications of the 2024 US election on Asian markets. He discusses how the rivalry between Joe Biden and Donald Trump could reshape investment strategies, particularly in stocks and bonds. The conversation addresses the deteriorating US-China relations and its effects on investor sentiment, emphasizing the evolving trust issues. Chao also highlights shifts in financial centers, from Hong Kong to Singapore, amid changing geopolitical dynamics.

Success-hungry finance professionals have been gorging on India's boom, which shimmers with stories of multi-million dollar trading jobs, and private bankers demanding jackpot pay increases as they sell their talents to the highest bidder. Is India's moment really here? What are the challenges finance companies face in expanding into the subcontinent? Anil Sharma, Managing Partner of recruitment firm Options Group, calls in from Mumbai, joining co-hosts John Lee and Ishika Mookerjee on the latest episode of Asia Centric to discuss India's scramble for talent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Wood, a seasoned global equity strategist at Jefferies and author of the "Greed and Fear" newsletter, shares his expert insights. He discusses the hurdles that foreign investors face in China, emphasizing the importance of confidence amid economic challenges. Wood also compares China's potential with India's promising growth story, highlighting demographic advantages that make India attractive for investors. Lastly, he delves into Japan's evolving investment landscape, probing how governance reform and inflation might impact its equities.

Chronic conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, stubborn global inflation, soaring military spending, and persistent tension with China haven’t stopped stocks from marching higher.  Are stocks ignoring geopolitical risk? Is a new investment narrative emerging? How can investors profit from the remarkable global growth in defense spending?  Sean Darby, equity strategist at Mizuho Securities shares his ideas and perspectives with co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett on the latest episode of Asia Centric.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s property crisis, its stock market swings and falling prices have dealt a body blow to Chinese consumers' confidence, and shock waves from their retrenchment are shaking up some of the world’s biggest luxury brands. Is China's new retail frugality here to stay? Or will its once-freewheeling consumer spending roar back with a vengeance? Bloomberg Intelligence's senior consumer analysts Catherine Lim and Deborah Aitken join co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett with their insights on how China's new consumer austerity is reshaping expectations for global retailers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A chill has overcome the once-red hot electric-vehicle market. Demand is slowing, competition is growing, cash-strapped consumers are skeptical, and the EV market outlook is uncertain. Tesla has become the poster child for the industry’s ordeals, with slowing sales, a tumbling stock price, and China’s economic woes all converging into a grim picture. But other EV makers are also struggling, and the road ahead could be rough. What will it take to bring back the thrill to EVs? How is BYD -- China’s EV juggernaut – rewriting the rules for Tesla and other rivals? Or could Toyota's hybrid vehicles be the answer? Steve Man, global director of industrials and automotive research at Bloomberg Intelligence weighs in on the road ahead for EVs, which he says are here to stay despite the risks and challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world’s stock markets have made a routine of breaking records, with the Nikkei 225, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq all spending 2024’s first quarter soaring into uncharted territory. Exuberance is abundant, but so are the risks. Are the world’s equity markets rising too far too fast? Is it time to revisit safe-haven assets? And is the classic 60/40 asset allocation model still relevant today? From Paris, Jean-Charles Bertrand, Global Multi-Asset Chief Investment Officer at HSBC Asset Management joins co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett with his insights on the investment road ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rush to board the AI bandwagon has powered America’s Magnificent Seven stocks to a level of investor excitement not seen since the 1990s dot-com bubble. Is artificial intelligence for real? How does the Magnificent Seven rank in terms of AI monetization? Can Asia tech stocks keep pace with their American counterparts? Mandeep Singh, Global Head of Technology Research at Bloomberg Intelligence and Robert Lea, Senior Asia Technology Analyst join co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for an insightful glimpse at what the future holds for AI, and how investors might profit from its progress.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sea change is afoot in South Korea, where a new corporate governance code promises to overhaul the country’s business dynamics. Some believe that could help its stocks shake off the so-called “Korea Discount” as it tears a page from Japan’s playbook in a bid to mimic the Nikkei 225’s rejuvenation.  Investors have taken notice and have channelled more than $8 billion into Korean stocks during January and February 2024 as they seek to cash in.  Can South Korea’s new boldness shake up its rigid corporate culture and reinvigorate its equity markets? Are companies even ready for American style shareholder activism?  Activist investor Changhwan Lee, Founder & CEO of Align Partners, discusses his proxy fight over SM Entertainment and Korea’s changing investment landscape with co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.