ASEAN Speaks

What is Maybank’s revised forecast for the Fed Funds Rate? Winson Phoon discusses with Dr Chua Hak Bin, our Co-Head of Macro. For the full conversation with other analysts at Maybank, go to the latest Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

We discuss our revised forecast in light that the FOMC has guided for one more 25 basis point hike this year. Additionally for ASEAN equities, specifically the Thai market, why did it experience a pullback despite the resolution of political uncertainty? We also look at different industries - the outlook for large scale solar projects in Malaysia, the cement industry in Indonesia, and retail in Thailand.  00:34 - Roundup - Winson Phoon 04:28 - FOMC - Chua Hak Bin 06:55 - SG NODX - Chua Hak Bin 08:59 - ASEAN, ESG calls - Anand Pathmakanthan 14:59 - KLCI - Anand Pathmakanthan 15:45 - MY Solar - Nur Farah Syifaa 18:33 - ID cement - William Jefferson 21:35 - TH consumer - Suttatip Peerasub Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

What is the outlook for the Thai Baht? Chua Hak Bin speaks with Saktiandi Supaat, Head of Forex Research at Maybank on his latest ASEAN Macro report. For the full conversation with other analysts at Maybank, go to the latest Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

Our analysts do a deep dive of data that came out last week and what to expect - China macro, GDP growth in Malaysia, Indonesian trade numbers, REITs in Thailand and Malaysia, and crude palm oil prices. Chua Hak Bin, our Co-Head of Macro, speaks with our teams across the region.  00:22 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 03:16 - CN macro - Erica Tay 06:22 - MY GDP - Zamros Dzulkafli 10:54 - ID trade - Brian Lee 15:14 - TH Baht - Saktiandi Supaat 19:59 - TH REITs - Wasu Mattanapotchanart 22:48 - MY REITs - Nur Farah Syifaa 25:11 - CPO - Ong Chee Ting Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

While we remain constructive on Malaysian equities and maintain our year end KLCI target at 1,520, what are the pressure points in the near term? Suhaimi Ilias, our Chief Economist, speaks with Wong Chew Hann, Head of Research in Malaysia. For the full conversation with other analysts at Maybank, go to the latest Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

We unpack our analysis on China as we downgrade its GDP growth to 4.8% in 2023 from 5%, and 4.4% in 2024 from 4.6%, and consider the pressure points on earnings in Malaysia and ASEAN including the banks. 00:20 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias 05:19 - China macro - Erica Tay 9:21 - TH macro - Erica Tay 11:42 - PH macro - Zamros Dzulkafli 16:24 - MY earnings - Wong Chew Hann 24:05 - ASEAN banks - Thilan Wickramasinghe 26:11 - ASEAN catalysts - Anand Pathmakanthan 28:58 - TH energy - Chak Reungsinpinya

ASEAN’s share of world foreign direct investments had climbed to 17% in 2022, almost triple its 6% share in 2016. The next wave of investments are expected to boost the green sector as governments announce concrete measures to transition to net zero. Chua Hak Bin, Co-Head of Macro discusses his report. For the full conversation with other analysts at Maybank, go to the latest Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

We round up key data and events in Southeast Asian economies against the backdrop of major central banks across the world continuing to battle rising risks to growth. 00:19 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias 05:00 - Green manufacturing - Chua Hak Bin 09:54 - VN GDP - Brian Lee 13:46 - USD, Renminbi changes - Saktiandi Supaat 20:50 - Bonds - Winson Phoon 24:50 - PH banks - Rachelleen Rodriguez 27:03 - MY banks - Desmond Ch’ng

After months of political deadlock, a Prime Minister is finally chosen in Thailand. How well could markets rebound? Chak Reungsinpinya, Head of Research at Maybank Securities Thailand speaks with Chua Hak Bin. For the full conversation with other analysts at Maybank, go to the latest Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

Deep diving into our stock picks as ASEAN markets continue to lag North Asia. We also consider the beneficiaries of the LRT project in Penang and developments in Iskandar, Johor, as Country Garden’s Forest City becomes a special financial zone. Meanwhile, what is ahead for REITs in Singapore? 00:27 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin 04:01 - MY inflation, interest rate - Zamros Dzulkafli 07:55 - TH GDP - Erica Tay 11:50 - TH equities - Chak Reungsinpinya 14:36 - ASEAN equities - Anand Pathmakanthan 16:29 - Penang LRT - Wong Wei Sum 17:39 - Forest City, Iskandar - Wong Wei Sum 19:45 - SG REITs - Krishna Guha 22:02 - ID consumer - Willy Goutama 24:24 - ID GDP - Brian Lee