
ASEAN Speaks
ASEAN Speaks by Maybank presents conversations with market analysts and thought leaders across Southeast Asia on topics covering equities, fixed income, forex, economics, sustainability, and current affairs that impact regional markets.
Latest episodes

Jul 31, 2023 • 31min
Weekly Briefing: ASEAN EV, CN Real Estate Shift, BOJ Outlook, S-REITs
On this morning’s call, we stay current on ASEAN’s electric mobility transition; the implications of China’s Politburo’s shift towards a more accommodative stance towards the property sector; if Bank of Japan is likely to raise interest rate further; and if manufacturing downturn has bottomed in Singapore.
00:24 - Roundup - Winson Phoon
03:31 - MY MADANI - Suhaimi Ilias
08:50 - IMKL Series - Anand Pathmakanthan
12:36 - ASEAN e-mobility - Jigar Shah
16:56 - Fed hike - Suhaimi Ilias
19:44 - CN property - Erica Tay
23:13 - ID interest rate - Brian Lee
24:43 - SG downturn - Chua Hak Bin
25:59 - BOJ interest rate - Saktiandi Supaat
28:38 - SG REITs - Krishna Guha
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Jul 24, 2023 • 5min
Highlight: Market Scenarios In Fed’s Late Cycle Phase
In this week’s highlight, Saktiandi Supaat, Maybank’s Head of Forex Research, discusses how investors could position themselves for the end of the Fed’s tightening cycle. He speaks with Chua Hak Bin. For the full conversation with other analysts, go to the latest Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

Jul 24, 2023 • 21min
Weekly Briefing: MY 2Q GDP, ID Exports, SG Banks, PH Markets
Looking ahead to this week, we discuss expectations of FOMC’s meeting, and what to watch for in Bank of Indonesia’s statements given the decline in exports. In terms of equities, we look into projections for the Philippines, and 2Q bank earnings in Singapore and indications of China’s growth.
00:27 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin
03:02 - FOMC - Suhaimi Ilias
04:15 - MY 2Q GDP - Suhaimi Ilias
06:56 - ID exports - Brian Lee
08:56 - ID interest rate - Brian Lee
11:02 - FX post hiking - Saktiandi Supaat
15:55 - SG banks - Thilan Wickramasinghe
18:44 - PH markets - Jacqui de Jesus
Maybank IBG

Jul 17, 2023 • 6min
Highlight: Positioning For Thai Political Headwinds
Last week, we saw Pita Limjaroenrat fail in his bid to become Prime Minister of Thailand. What is ahead for the markets? Winson Phoon speaks with Chak Reungsinpinya, our Head of Equity Research in Thailand. For the full conversation with other analysts, go to the latest Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

Jul 17, 2023 • 34min
Weekly Briefing: TH Politics; SG Averts Technical Recession; Clearer Skies For MY Markets
In Thailand, who will become the next Prime Minister? Why did Singapore avert a technical recession? What can we expect from China’s 2Q GDP number which will be out today? We also look at Malaysia’s second half prospects and stock picks in view of the upcoming state elections.
00:26 - Roundup - Winson Phoon
03:33 - TH politics - Chak Reungsinpinya
09:12 - SG GDP - Chua Hak Bin
12:01 - CN macro - Brian Lee
15:39 - MY 2H macro - Suhaimi Ilias
21:03 - MY 2H equities - Anand Pathmakanthan
24:55 - ASEAN calls - Anand Pathmakanthan
26:27 - USD, MYR, SGD - Saktiandi Supaat
30:29 - Plantations - Ong Chee Ting
Maybank IBG

Jul 10, 2023 • 4min
Highlight: 10 Post-Pandemic Realities & Downside Risks
Maybank has downgraded its ASEAN-6 GDP growth forecast to +4.2% in 2023 from +4.5% at the start of the year. Chua Hak Bin, Co-Head of Macro, speaks with Suhaimi Ilias about the ten post-pandemic realities and downside risks going forward. For the full conversation with other analysts, go to the latest Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

Jul 10, 2023 • 31min
Weekly Briefing: Brace For El Nino
El Nino is expected to peak from now till the first quarter of next year across ASEAN. How will warmer and drier conditions affect agriculture, food production as well as inflation?
00:21 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias
05:51 - ASEAN macro - Chua Hak Bin
11:09 - ID, TH inflation - Lee Ju Ye
13:14 - TH minimum wage - Lee Ju Ye
13:58 - El Nino impact - Lee Ju Ye
14:46 - PH inflation - Zamros Dzulkafli
15:55 - PH minimum wage - Zamros Dzulkafli
17:17 - PH El Nino impact - Zamros Dzulkafli
18:26 - Plantations outlook - Ong Chee Ting
21:21 - El Nino plantations - Ong Chee Ting
23:20 - El Nino agricultural - Daphne Sze
25:10 - PH telco - Rachellen Rodriguez
27:34 - MY banking - Desmond Ch’ng

Jul 3, 2023 • 4min
Highlight: Indonesia Consumer Is King
In this week’s Highlight, we look into Indonesia consumer stocks and feedback from investors at our recent marketing trip in Singapore. Willy Goutama, Analyst at Maybank Sekuritas, speaks to Winson Phoon. For the full conversation with other analysts, go to the latest Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

Jul 3, 2023 • 31min
Weekly Briefing: SG Flash 2Q GDP -0.8%; Currency Revisions; Positioning For No Market Catalysts
Singapore’s manufacturing worsened in May indicating a technical recession is probable. Vietnam’s 2Q GDP gathers pace but is still lackluster. Meanwhile for equities, Indonesia continues to be a bright spot, based on feedback at Maybank’s Invest ASEAN conference. We look at positioning for further growth, and our stock picks in other markets without re-rating catalysts yet.
00:31 - Roundup - Winson Phoon
04:37 - SG technical recession - Brian Lee
07:36 - VN GDP, interest rate - Brian Lee
11:55 - FX forecast revisions - Saktiandi Supaat
19:21 - ASEAN equities - Anand Pathmakanthan
21:37 - MY equities, state elections - Anand Pathmakanthan
23:05 - ID equities - Jeff Chen Lim
24:39 - ID consumer - Willy Goutama
28:36 - PH retail picks - Daphne Sze

Jun 26, 2023 • 36min
Weekly Briefing: MY OPR Expectations; China Booster; USDJPY; USDMYR
Inflation has been easing in Malaysia and Singapore - is this enough to pause further central bank actions? And for ASEAN, the elephant in the room question - does China need more measures to turbo charge its economy? Meanwhile, looking at the top currency trades - will the USDJPY continue to move higher? Also, will the Ringgit continue to slide?
00:30 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias
04:56 - SG inflation - Chua Hak Bin
08:49 - MY inflation, OPR - Zamros Dzulkafli
12:34 - PH interest rate - Zamros Dzulkafli
15:45 - CN interest rate - Brian Lee
17:45 - CN stimulus - Brian Lee
20:00 - CN GDP - Brian Lee
23:23 - MY bonds - Winson Phoon
27:01 - USDJPY - Saktiandi Supaat
30:26 - USDMYR - Saktiandi Supaat
33:23 - PH equities (Invest ASEAN) - Jacqui de Jesus
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG