Despite the Fed’s assurance that higher prices are merely transitory, the uncertainty of its duration leads to higher volatility in the market. Maybank downgrades the Thai property sector; ASEAN Speaks panelists dissect the drivers and explain how property developers are resorting to technology to sustain sales. Stay tuned for these highlights and more.

US 10 year treasury yields continue to compress; Maybank's fixed income team addresses the factors that are driving compression. With political headwinds rising in Malaysia and EMCO impacting labour supply, which industries are least vulnerable? Thailand's hospitality sandbox kicks off in Phuket but reopening plans hang in the balance following the discovery of COVID-19 cases from inbound tourists. 

G7 landmark accord on corporate tax reform aims to end the race to the bottom since the 1980s in which countries have slashed corporate tax rates and provided generous exemptions to attract MNCs. How will ASEAN stay competitive? Maria Lapiz, MKE's Thai Head of Research shares with us the ESG investment landscape in Thailand and her top picks within this category. The Philippines equity market continues to fall further into deep value territory. MKE Phil research desk shares on 8 of their favourite undervalued gems.  

As Fed shift resets markets, Maybank Kim Eng’s FX strategists discuss about the sensitivity of ASEAN currencies. ASEAN equity markets mostly ended down last week except for Malaysia and Vietnam. Our Singapore REITs and Malaysia property research desks discuss where value can be found.

KL Kepong has launched a RM1.5b cash offer to buy IJM's 56% stake in IJM Plantations. Is the deal accretive and are there other noteworthy acquisition targets left within the sector? Thailand's stock market has performed well despite sluggish economic data and concerns over rising covid cases. Maria Lapiz, Maybank's Thai Research Head shares her insights and her top 3 picks for the remainder of 2021. 

Malaysia has announced a RM40bn economic stimulus package to mitigate the impact of its latest lockdown. Malaysian government securities staged a mini rally last week, is it sustainable and should investors sell into strength? Our ASEAN tech team gives the lay of the land for semiconductor suppliers in Malaysia and the global chip shortage. What are insiders doing with ASEAN tech listcos? 

U.S. next jobs report on Fri June 4 will signal if employment data is trending above the 3M moving average of 520k monthly additions, potentially fuelling inflation concerns and impacting outcome of June 17 FOMC meeting. Back in ASEAN, with Thailand’s central bank rates at almost zero, what else can Thailand do to pump prime its economy in the wake of another COVID breakout? As Malaysia enters into a nationwide total lockdown, will the government impose loan moratorium extensions?

Malaysia makes the difficult choice of accepting the stricter MCO 3.5 vs a total lockdown. Bond markets was relatively steady despite the 92bp m/m increase in US core CPI but Huarong’s de-rating remains a persistent cause for concern for the offshore debt markets. Malaysia’s CPO sector is losing price competitiveness as Indonesia’s revamped progressive tax rates are giving palm oil refiners a comparative cost advantage. Will a repeat of 2012 low utilisation and high CPO inventories lead to a 30% collapse in CPO prices?