ASEAN Speaks

Our analysts look ahead to the collateral damage of the Russia-Ukraine war on ASEAN, and what Barisan Nasional’s win in Johor means for Malaysian markets, adding views on favoured stocks. Tune it to the conversation to prepare for the week. 00:36 - Round-up - Suhaimi Ilias 07:14 - Economics, trade risks - Chua Hak Bin 12:57 -  Forex impact - Saktiandi Supaat 18:19 - MY resilience - Chan Han Chin 21:33 - Early GE15 impact - Anand Pathmakanthan 24:20 - MY banks - Desmond Ch’ng 26:22 - MY aviation - Samuel Yin 29:08 - TH tourism - Yuwanee Prommaporn 30:41 - Plantation downgrade - Ong Chee Ting Producer: Noelle Lim

Inflation, Russia-Ukraine tensions and climate change are piling pressure on global food systems. ASEAN as a major food producing and agriculture region is ripe for innovation to bolster its own food security. Ho Ren Hua, CEO of Thai Wah, discusses how he wants to transform agrifood in the region, including where he sees a right to win in the challenging agritech sector. Listed on SET, Thai Wah is one of the largest starch and starch-related food companies in Asia, and is taking up stakes in early stage companies, and expanding into new, high-growth businesses such as bioplastic packaging. Using tapioca as its raw material input, derived from the cassava plant, it could replace Western wheat-based products. Ho, a graduate of Wharton School and former management consultant at Bain & Co, comes from a family of entrepreneurs. His paternal grandfather established Thai Wah in the 1940s, while his parents founded the Banyan Tree hotels. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

Chua Su Tye, our Head of REITs Research discusses his recommendations on S-REITs (real estate investment trusts) for yields in light of rising interest rate and inflation, the Russia-Ukraine crisis and risk of recession in Europe. Terms mentioned: DPU (distribution per unit), Revpar (revenue per available room), and WALE (weighted average lease expiry). Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

Dr Yuhyun Park, Founder of DQ Institute, Harvard graduate and former BCG management consultant, speaks about her journey battling skepticism in South Korea to starting a global movement for digital intelligence or DQ from Singapore. Together with her team, she created the world’s first standard for DQ that is also endorsed by IEEE Standards Association, Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD), and the World Economic Forum. This interview is in conjunction with International Women’s Day. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and talks of sanctions have triggered market fears of a brutal supply crunch of oil and other commodities. Our analysts monitor the impact on ASEAN, and where investors can potentially find shelter and outperformance. 00:32 - Round-up - Chua Hak Bin 06:16 - MY economy - Suhaimi Ilias 12:10 - MGS outlook - Winson Phoon 17:02 - 4Q earnings - Anand Pathmakanthan 20:21 - Forex themes - Saktiandi Supaat 23:04 - Petronas, energy trilemma - Liaw Thong Jung 27:34 - SG REITs - Chua Su Tye 32:14 - SG tech stocks - Lai Gene Lih Producer: Noelle Lim

Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia discusses his plans to create a super development financial institution, including if listing and a merger with MIDF are on the cards; as well as his idea of Better Malaysia Assembly to reshape national discourse; and the desire to protect his father’s legacy. Nazir is the former Chairman and prior, CEO of CIMB Group, and the youngest son of the second Prime Minister Tun Razak Hussein, and the brother of the sixth, Dato’ Sri Najib Razak.

Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine has already cost more than 200 civilian lives and triggered global condemnation. Maybank's analysts discuss the implications. 00:24 - Round-up - Chua Hak Bin 07:03 - Impact on inflation - Suhaimi Ilias 13:47 - Lessons from past crisis - Saktiandi Supaat 17:31 - Shrinking demand for MY Coal IPP Bonds - Winson Phoon 22:48 - SG bank highlights - Thilan Wickramasinghe 26:21 - Maybank’s portfolio update - Chan Han Chin 30:47 - New tax measures on PH properties - Miguel Sevidal Producer: Noelle Lim

Riding on surging oil prices, Maybank has a strong buy call on Hibiscus Petroleum, Malaysia’s first listed SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) that has now transitioned to become a full-fledged oil and gas company. Dr Kenneth Pereira, the Managing Director discusses the reason for Hibiscus’ longevity, and how it will continue to grow in a more ESG-oriented environment when bankers are becoming more discerning about lending. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

Dennis Zamora, scion and President of Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), one of the largest nickel producing companies in the world, discusses the prospects of the metal as it trades at a 11 year high, and his ambition for the company to become one of the top 25 on the Philippine Stock Exchange. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

On Friday, Singapore released its Budget 2022 that includes a slew of higher taxes to redistribute wealth while improving resilience through healthcare spending and green projects. Meanwhile foreign buying has returned to ASEAN markets. What sectors might continue to outperform and underperform as interest rates and inflation increase? Maybank's research teams across the region discuss. 00:34 - Round-up - Suhaimi Ilias 05:53 - Singapore Budget 2022 - Chua Hak Bin 14:07 - Singapore markets - Thilan Wickramasinghe 15:56 - ASEAN markets - Anand Pathmakanthan 20:13 - Indonesia trade - Lee Ju Ye 22:26 - Indonesia retail - Willy Goutama 24:17 - Plantations, La Nina - Ong Chee Ting 27:57 - Philippines earnings - Jacqui de Jesus 30:01 - Gaming - Samuel Yin Shao Yang Producer: Noelle Lim