Morning Brief

The Hang Seng Index is one of the worst performing global indices this year with a decline of 12%, contrary to expectations over China's reopening. We check in with consultant Peter Lewis to find out what's weighing down on market sentiment and whether it's too soon to bottom fish for Chinese and HK equities.

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While the US Federal Reserve’s objective remains focused on engineering a soft landing, the economy is now faced with new headwinds like the auto workers strike, a possible government shutdown, the impending resumption of student loan payments as well as rising oil prices. Selena Ling, chief economist of OCBC shares with us if the US economy can withstand these 4 shocks at once and what the implications are for the rest of the world.

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The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has announced plans to further strengthen the standardisation of the tourism industry. In conjunction with World Tourism Day, we ask Nigel Wong, President of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) what he hopes to see from the review and the monetary push needed to boost tourist arrival numbers to pre-pandemic levels. 

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The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has announced plans to further strengthen the standardisation of the tourism industry. In conjunction with World Tourism Day, we ask Nigel Wong, President of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) what he hopes to see from the review and the monetary push needed to boost tourist arrival numbers to pre-pandemic levels. 

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G7 currencies still remain volatile with King Dollar reigning supreme as it retains its safe haven assets. But will it be displaced as the US economy softens? Saktiandi Supaat, Head of FX Research, Global Markets, Maybank Singapore tells us his views whilst weighing in on other regional currencies in particular the Ringgit.

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This week the Minister for Communication and Digital Fahmi Fadzil announced that all major telcos have agreed to take an equal stake in Digital Nasional Berhad, the state-owned entity tasked with the national 5G rollout. Is this the end of delays to the long-stalled 5G implementation plan? We discuss the implications with Datuk Dr. Rais Hussin, Chief Executive of Emir Research.

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After MCA's election over the weekend, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong defended his presidency with 2 new faces for the vice-presidents' post in the hope that they will bring much-needed change to the party. Dr James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies, University of Tasmania tells us what he thinks the future might be for the Chinese-based party with GE16 due in 5 years' time.

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After MCA's election over the weekend, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong defended his presidency with 2 new faces for the vice-presidents' post in the hope that they will bring much-needed change to the party. Dr James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies, University of Tasmania tells us what he thinks the future might be for the Chinese-based party with GE16 due in 5 years' time.

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The lack of affordable housing has been a structural issue with mismatch of demand and supply. Not helped by the unaffordability of houses according to the World Bank. So it is time for novel ideas to resolve this including shifting from ownership to housing being just a right? Pankaj C Kumar, a business commentator tells us.

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The Bank of Japan's indication that it will maintain its ultra low interest rate stance had triggered a sell off in the yen, which is now at its all-time weakest against the US dollar. Yuichi Murao, Chief Investment Officer for equity strategies at Nomura Asset Management breaks down what this might mean for Japanese equities in the long run, with Warren Buffett also positive on stocks from the Land of the Rising Sun.

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