Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>Headline CPI inflation stayed near 3.6%YoY for the second consecutive month in Aug'24, and core inflation remained benign at 3.4%YoY. A 25bp rate cut remains certain at the Oct'24 MPC.</li>
<li>Although Sep-Oct'24 inflation is likely to average 5%YoY (because of base effects), the strong monsoon should deliver a bountiful kharif harvest, bringing headline inflation back down to 4%YoY in Jan-Mar'25. </li>
<li>We expect the policy rate to decline by 25bp at each of the next four MPC meetings, to 5.5% by Apr'25. Rate sensitive sectors like banks, property, auto-companies will benefit. </li>
</ul>


Headline CPI inflation stayed near 3.6%YoY for the second consecutive month in Aug'24, and core inflation remained benign at 3.4%YoY. A 25bp rate cut remains certain at the Oct'24 MPC.
Although Sep-Oct'24 inflation is likely to average 5%YoY (because of base effects), the strong monsoon should deliver a bountiful kharif harvest, bringing headline inflation back down to 4%YoY in Jan-Mar'25. 
We expect the policy rate to decline by 25bp at each of the next four MPC meetings, to 5.5% by Apr'25. Rate sensitive sectors like banks, property, auto-companies will benefit. 


India: CPI Inflation Below Target for 2nd Month Signals Rapid Rate Cuts Ahead

Podcast by Eric Golden on Web3 businesses, Web3 Breakdowns

Web3 Breakdowns

Podcast by Eric Golden on Web3 businesses

Web3 Breakdowns is a series of conversations exploring innovation in the decentralized internet. Each episode will focus on a different topic - we will cover NFT projects, crypto assets, blockchain-based protocols, and businesses being built with Web3 architecture. We will talk to founders, artists, investors and influencers to understand this emerging ecosystem. Visit joincolossus.com to find more episodes, transcripts and a library of content to continue your learning.

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul><li>Guest is Saurabh Mukherjeeya, founder of Marcellus Investment Managers and advocate for investing in India</li><li>Contrasts India and China, highlighting India's better performance over the years</li><li>Discusses the reasons behind India not receiving as much attention in terms of foreign investment compared to China, with recent shift towards investing in India</li></ul>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Guest is Saurabh Mukherjeeya, founder of Marcellus Investment Managers and advocate for investing in IndiaContrasts India and China, highlighting India's better performance over the yearsDiscusses the reasons behind India not receiving as much attention in terms of foreign investment compared to China, with recent shift towards investing in IndiaThis content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Saurabh Mukherjea: The Case for Investing in India - [Making Markets, EP.42]

<ul>
<li>CPI inflation receded to a 59-month low of 3.5%YoY in Jul'24, with food inflation abating to 5.1%YoY (from 8.4%YoY in Jun'24), as vegetable inflation fell to 6.8%YoY (from Jun'24's 29.3%YoY).</li>
<li>Whilst retaining its 6.5% policy rate on 8/8/24, RBI forecast 4.4%YoY inflation in Jul-Sep'24, and 4.7%YoY in Oct-Dec'24; we expect 4.2%YoY and 4.3%YoY respectively, amid 8-10% above-normal monsoon rainfall.</li>
<li>The policy repo rate will likely decline 50bp by Dec'24 and a further 50bp to 5.5% by Jun'25. Rate sensitives like banks, auto-companies, NBFCs and property stocks will benefit. </li>
</ul>


CPI inflation receded to a 59-month low of 3.5%YoY in Jul'24, with food inflation abating to 5.1%YoY (from 8.4%YoY in Jun'24), as vegetable inflation fell to 6.8%YoY (from Jun'24's 29.3%YoY).
Whilst retaining its 6.5% policy rate on 8/8/24, RBI forecast 4.4%YoY inflation in Jul-Sep'24, and 4.7%YoY in Oct-Dec'24; we expect 4.2%YoY and 4.3%YoY respectively, amid 8-10% above-normal monsoon rainfall.
The policy repo rate will likely decline 50bp by Dec'24 and a further 50bp to 5.5% by Jun'25. Rate sensitives like banks, auto-companies, NBFCs and property stocks will benefit. 


India: Relief on Food Inflation Makes an Oct'24 Rate Cut Near-Certain

<ul><li>Sajeet Pai, a VC at Bloom Ventures, provides insights on the Indian market, discussing unique features like low levels of debt and lack of trust.</li><li>India's massive population presents challenges and opportunities for investors, with a large segment of the population having low per capita income.</li><li>Cultural differences, such as the prevalence of cash on delivery in e-commerce, highlight the need for a nuanced approach when entering the Indian market.</li></ul>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Sajeet Pai, a VC at Bloom Ventures, provides insights on the Indian market, discussing unique features like low levels of debt and lack of trust.India's massive population presents challenges and opportunities for investors, with a large segment of the population having low per capita income.Cultural differences, such as the prevalence of cash on delivery in e-commerce, highlight the need for a nuanced approach when entering the Indian market.This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Sajith Pai: Unpacking India - [Making Markets, EP.40]

<ul>
<li>The FY25 Budget projects a fiscal deficit of 4.9% of GDP (vs previous projection of 5.1%), but the 12mma of the fiscal deficit was already 4.8% of GDP by May'24. </li>
<li>With real GDP likely to grow 8.5% this year, direct tax revenue should considerably exceed official projections. Government's lower borrowing requirement should crowd-in private investment, further fuelling RGDP. </li>
<li>Hikes in LTCG and STT (on derivatives) are near-term negatives for stocks. But fiscal prudence, employment generation and agricultural productivity enhancements will create a virtuous circle in the medium-term. </li>
</ul>


The FY25 Budget projects a fiscal deficit of 4.9% of GDP (vs previous projection of 5.1%), but the 12mma of the fiscal deficit was already 4.8% of GDP by May'24. 
With real GDP likely to grow 8.5% this year, direct tax revenue should considerably exceed official projections. Government's lower borrowing requirement should crowd-in private investment, further fuelling RGDP. 
Hikes in LTCG and STT (on derivatives) are near-term negatives for stocks. But fiscal prudence, employment generation and agricultural productivity enhancements will create a virtuous circle in the medium-term. 


India: Mild Near-Term Negative for Stocks; Solidly Positive for Medium Term Growth

India

iShares MSCI India Index ETF is an exchange-traded fund registered in Singapore. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before expenses, closely correspond to the performance of the MSCI India Index. The Fund invests all or substantially all of its assets in shares comprising the MSCI India Index in substantially the same weightings as constituted in the underlying index.

iShares MSCI India Index ETF (INDIA SP)

India: CPI Inflation Below Target for 2nd Month Signals Rapid Rate Cuts Ahead

With headline and core inflation at 3.6% and 3.4%YoY respectively, a rate cut is certain in Oct'24. Bountiful harvest to keep inflation benign,...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Saurabh Mukherjea: The Case for Investing in India - [Making Markets, EP.42]

Saurabh Mukherjeeya from Marcellus Investment Managers explains why investing in India may be a better choice than China, citing consistent double...

Web3 Breakdowns

India: Relief on Food Inflation Makes an Oct'24 Rate Cut Near-Certain

CPI inflation at 59-month low 3.5%YoY in Jul'24. We expect CPI inflation to average 4.2%YoY in Jul-Dec'24, less in H1CY25, hence expect policy...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Sajith Pai: Unpacking India - [Making Markets, EP.40]

The podcast episode with Sajeet Pai from Bloom Ventures discusses the opportunities and challenges of investing in India, highlighting the...

Web3 Breakdowns

India: Mild Near-Term Negative for Stocks; Solidly Positive for Medium Term Growth

FY25 Budget advanced reforms, notably in fiscal consolidation, employment, farm productivity and rationalising LTCG. But the latter (and higher STT...

Prasenjit K. Basu

India: CPI Inflation Below Target for 2nd Month Signals Rapid Rate Cuts Ahead

​With headline and core inflation at 3.6% and 3.4%YoY respectively, a rate cut is certain in Oct'24. Bountiful harvest to keep inflation benign,...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Saurabh Mukherjea: The Case for Investing in India - [Making Markets, EP.42]

Saurabh Mukherjeeya from Marcellus Investment Managers explains why investing in India may be a better choice than China, citing consistent double...

Web3 Breakdowns

India: Relief on Food Inflation Makes an Oct'24 Rate Cut Near-Certain

​CPI inflation at 59-month low 3.5%YoY in Jul'24. We expect CPI inflation to average 4.2%YoY in Jul-Dec'24, less in H1CY25, hence expect policy...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Sajith Pai: Unpacking India - [Making Markets, EP.40]

The podcast episode with Sajeet Pai from Bloom Ventures discusses the opportunities and challenges of investing in India, highlighting the...

Web3 Breakdowns

India: Mild Near-Term Negative for Stocks; Solidly Positive for Medium Term Growth

FY25 Budget advanced reforms, notably in fiscal consolidation, employment, farm productivity and rationalising LTCG. But the latter (and higher STT...

Prasenjit K. Basu

With headline and core inflation at 3.6% and 3.4%YoY respectively, a rate cut is certain in Oct'24. Bountiful harvest to keep inflation benign,...

CPI inflation at 59-month low 3.5%YoY in Jul'24. We expect CPI inflation to average 4.2%YoY in Jul-Dec'24, less in H1CY25, hence expect policy...