Dr. Michael A. Yoshikami, Founder and CEO of Destination Wealth Management in San Francisco, California, discusses the following questions: 

- McDonald’s 2Q earnings and revenue fell short of expectations, suggesting Americans still aren’t yet comfortable spending + eating away from home -- these results do appear contrary to better data on retail sales and employment in the US? How would u explain this seeming contradiction? 

- In line with better US data, WTI oil prices seem to have run ahead of themselves, anticipating improved local demand for gasoline, up 16% so far this year to 16-month highs. Is a disorderly decline in store for WTI prices? 

David Lennox, resource analyst at Australian trading firm Fat Prophets, said the price of WTI is set to correct by as much as 35 percent from current levels by the end of the year as investors realize that U.S. demand levels are not as strong as originally thought.

- Should it be a concern for holders of Consumer Staples stocks which have re-rated sharply since the GFC as a perceived safe haven? 

- Bernanke’s more dovish commentary on the pace and timing of tapering has been supportive for the precious metals complex, with gold rallying back above US$1,300/oz Should investors continue to add to the shiny yellow metal? Or perhaps Palladium with the market likely to register a second yearly deficit?

- Conversely, economists from RGE are arguing that an improving US economy and henceforth Fed tapering could spell an “endgame” for gold. What’s your view? 

- Credit Suisse research shows that the price/book premium of Japan to Korea is the highest since 2007 (1.4x vs. 1x)Obviously Korean exporters have been hurt by the weak yen and BOJ easing is boosting Japan’s domestic economyBut should investors be contrarian here and add to Korea after Japan’s significant outperformance?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suresh Ramanathan Head of Regional Rates and Forex at CIMB Group talks about what the implications from Japan's PM Shinzo Abe's win are for the yen, and rm vs usd, after alternating between bulls and bears for the past five weeks. 

He also talks about the best trade in the fx space. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Quinlan, MD and Chief Market Strategist at US Trust-Bank of America Private Wealth Management in New York, discusses the following questions:

- A good result for Japan's Shinzo Abe in Japan’s Upper House Election and therefore markets too.The LDP-Komeito alliance strength is boosted to 55.8% - is this enough of a victory margin to rapidly execute bills? 

- Though not enough to revise the constitution?

- The Topix's rise was however rather sedate on the result? Your view as to why? 

- However, we have Charles Beazley, head of Nikko Asset Management, saying Abe's landslide electoral victory could push the Nikkei to 20,000 and the yen above 105 against the dollar mainly because he is now able to deliver his political agenda.Do you agree with these lofty targets? 

- There’s a similar rise in benchmark U.S. crude futures following a four-week rally - West Texas Intermediate or WTI prices are now at 16-month highs.How concerned are you of a disorderly decline in WTI prices? 

- On this front, how highly would you rate the potential of a pullback if there is any softness in scheduled U.S. or China economic data releases this week? 

- And Stateside, bad news.Detroit’s Mayor Bing warned that while Detroit may be the first major city to declare bankruptcy, it won’t be the last. He said that more than 100 urban US cities are having the same problems as Detroit Is he being over-dramatic? Or are we going to see a wave of bankruptcies?

- Despite this news, and some weak top-line results from the tech counters, the S&P 500 continues to make new highsCan the rally last?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edward Fung, Head of Investment Advisory at Maybank Kim Eng, Hong Kong discusses Hutchison Whampoa possibly exiting ParknShop. He talks about: 

- why else would Hutchisons Whampoa want to exit Park n Shop, aside from wanting to raise cash after striking several acquisitions, and not much room to grow in a maturing market? 

- China Resources has been fingered as a potential suitor - what’s in China Resources favour? Who are other potential bidders? Perhaps private equity funds? 

- it’s essentially a duopoly in Hong Kong’s supermarket chain environment - Park n Shop and Wellcome. In the event that the sell goes through, what are implications.

- It’s been said Hutchison Whampoa’s stake in Park n Shop could fetch $3-4 billion - does that valuation sound about right? Understand it’s based on valuation of direct competitor Dairy Farm International. 

- what he recommends investors do.

BFM's Khoo Hsien Chun speaks with him. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Benny Lee, Chief Market Strategist at Jupiter Securities talks about KLCI: 

- broader market hit 1,801 early Monday morning, so to rise further or consolidate this week

- charts for stocks in the news:  

 - Digi with Q2 results 

 - laggard defensives Axiata and Maxis 

 - TNB, which released upbeat third quarter earnings last Thursday 

 - LBS Bina Group has voiced possibility of special dividend

 - stocks to buy - Pavilion REIT - why

- should investors buy or take profit

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Chi Wei, analyst at Maybank Investment Bank discusses Digi Q2 results: 

- Digi’s 1H13 net profit vs Maybank's expectations 

- LTE services intro’d in July so not captured yet - should bode well for next quarter? Digi’s LTE services are priced at a premium, while its coverage lags its rivals.

- Digi expects data to drive growth i.e. mobile internet and broadband business - but so do all the other telcos? 

- Digi’s guidance for 2H looks positive? 

- During Morten Lundal’s stint as Digi CEO back in 2004 to 2008,  Digi’s market share rose by 9% to 26%. That was also when the mascot, Yellow Coverage Fellow was introduced. What should Digi do, now that he’s heading Maxis?   Though, of course, change is unlikely to be immediate. 

- Digi has 98% div pay out ratio - Q2, with dividend yield of 4% - this is on the low end of the scale, as industry pay out ranges from 4 to 6%. Upside looks limited for capital appreciation as well. So, should investors still hold on to Digi ? 

- Digi shares seem fully valued, and perhaps, lacks rerating catalysts. Why Digi is still preferred pick for this sector? Hold call at RM4.85. 

BFM's Khoo Hsien Chun speaks with him. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On International Market Watch today Dodge O. Dorland, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Landor & Fuest Capital Managers in New York discusses:

- the slowdown in the IT sector in the US

- Microsoft and Apple earnings

- regulated banks trading in physical commodities

- the Fed's likely position on allowing banks to continue physical trading

- what to expect from the various sectors and markets in the week to come

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kong Heng Siong, RHB Research analyst talks about TNB’s Q3 results: 
- 9M13 core net profit beat 95% of the consensus number - including yours? 
- Sustained weakness in coal prices have further lifted TNB's result... What's your outlook for coal?
- Assumption for interest rates, since TNB quite debt heavy. 
- about a third of borrowings in foreign currency - yen and USD. forex assumptions? 
- Fuel cost pass through mechanism and stabilisation fund (restructuring of energy subsidies) would have a higher chance of materialising, now that BN has a 5-year mandate. update?

- updates on:
 - RM1bn Kuwait project inked
 - Manjung power plant 
 - Malacca regasifaction plant
 - feasiblity of the undersea high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable to connect Msia with Indonesia
 - TNB unit to issue RM2bn sukuk

- re: Buy call at higher TP of RM10.58, from RM8.98.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Chi Wei, analyst at Maybank IB Research discusses Time dotCom: 

- In simple terms, what does TDC actually do? And how does it make $$?

- update on regional expansion, TIME dotCom has interests in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore - other telcos are in these markets already - somewhat late in the game? 

- it’s also in a net cash position of RM217.4m. Likelihood of acquiring more companies? And if so, who could be potential targets? 

- dividend yield of 2.6% in 2011, but nil for 2012 to 2014, dividends back online in 2015F at 4.4%. Other telcos offer dividend yield ranging from 4 to 6%. So, perhaps appreciation in share price could make up for this? 

- Time dotCom has a tie up with Astro to bring IPTV to Cyberjaya - is that a monopoly? Isn’t Astro’s IPTV tie up with Maxis available in Cyberjaya too?  how does that compare with tie-up with Astro for IPTV - Maxis? - perhaps plans to expand iptv tie-up, beyond Cyberjaya? 

- Afzal, the CEO, has been credited with turning time dot Com around, and has said he’s ready to move on, but wants a solid management team in place. (May 2013)  - But other potential offers coming his way? Afzal and his business partner cumulatively own 27%.

- Khazanah to trim its stake as part of the GLC divestment programme?

BFM's Khoo Hsien Chun speaks with him.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On International Market Watch Mikio Kumada, Executive Director at LGT Capital Partners in Hong Kong discusses:

- the difference between reducing asset purchases and providing accommodative monetary policy

- whether markets really understand what the Fed is saying

- American economic bell weathers missing revenue targets

- whether the BOE will start to be tasked with economic growth

- unorthodox tools Mark Carney can use to stimulate growth

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.