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

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>All imports into the US will face a minimum 10% tariff (with a few product exceptions). Countries face differential tariffs depending on their own effective protection against US exports. </li>
<li>China exports to US (54% tariff) suffer a near-crippling blow, with Vietnam (46%), Bangladesh (37%), Indonesia &amp; Taiwan (32%) hammered too. India, Korea, Japan, UK to benefit from trade diversion. </li>
<li>There'll be substantial re-shoring of US manufacturing over 2-10 years, boosting the US economy. Inflation will be a near-term problem, but most countries are likely to mutually negotiate tariffs down. </li>
</ul>


All imports into the US will face a minimum 10% tariff (with a few product exceptions). Countries face differential tariffs depending on their own effective protection against US exports. 
China exports to US (54% tariff) suffer a near-crippling blow, with Vietnam (46%), Bangladesh (37%), Indonesia &amp; Taiwan (32%) hammered too. India, Korea, Japan, UK to benefit from trade diversion. 
There'll be substantial re-shoring of US manufacturing over 2-10 years, boosting the US economy. Inflation will be a near-term problem, but most countries are likely to mutually negotiate tariffs down. 


US Reciprocal Tariff Scheme Is Likely to Boost US Manufacturing in Time; Positive

Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Asymmetric return opportunity in a short position in Japan - downside vs upside potential is skewed to the downside.</li>
<li>The weak JPY hasn’t helped the overall market and rising risk of a reversal similar to August 2024</li>
<li>We look at some sectors and stocks that are good short candidates</li>
</ul>


Asymmetric return opportunity in a short position in Japan - downside vs upside potential is skewed to the downside.
The weak JPY hasn’t helped the overall market and rising risk of a reversal similar to August 2024
We look at some sectors and stocks that are good short candidates


Tactical Trading - Time to Sell Japan. Again.

<ul>
<li>A review of recent events/data impacting our investment themes or outlook</li>
<li>Indian market has discounted some of the issues the country faces </li>
<li>The best performing assets in Q1 2025 continue to be our favourites</li>
</ul>


A review of recent events/data impacting our investment themes or outlook
Indian market has discounted some of the issues the country faces 
The best performing assets in Q1 2025 continue to be our favourites


Overview #21 India, Gold and the Slow Death of AI

Oil and Gas, Mint Finance

Suhas Reddy

Oil and Gas

Deep Fundamental Analysis

Mint Finance

Mint Finance's investment research blends deep fundamental analysis with technical & quant insights. Investment strategies straddle across multiple asset classes with risk management embedded into every trade to deliver an outsized reward-to-risk ratio.

Mint Finance's research is centered around three key themes. First, energy transition and climate change. Second, artificial intelligence. Third, shifting world order with its impact across politics and monetary economics.

Commodities

<ul>
<li>For the week ending 21/Mar, U.S. crude inventories fell by 3.3m barrels (vs. expectations of 1.5m build), gasoline and distillate stockpiles fell less than expected.</li>
<li>US natural gas inventories rose by 37 Bcf for the week ending 21/Mar, in line with analyst expectations. Inventories are 6.5% below the 5-year seasonal average.</li>
<li>Shell to boost shareholder distributions to 40-50% of CFFO and cut costs by USD 5-7 billion by 2028. Exxon plans 250 layoffs in the UK by 2026.</li>
</ul>


For the week ending 21/Mar, U.S. crude inventories fell by 3.3m barrels (vs. expectations of 1.5m build), gasoline and distillate stockpiles fell less than expected.
US natural gas inventories rose by 37 Bcf for the week ending 21/Mar, in line with analyst expectations. Inventories are 6.5% below the 5-year seasonal average.
Shell to boost shareholder distributions to 40-50% of CFFO and cut costs by USD 5-7 billion by 2028. Exxon plans 250 layoffs in the UK by 2026.


[ETP 2025/13] WTI Climbs on Trade Disruptions, Moderate Weather Forecasts Cap Henry Hub

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>
Australia: RBA rate decision on 1 April. Expect no change.
</li>
<li>
Japan: Nikkei 225 rebalancing effective 31 March at the close.</li>
<li>
US reciprocal tariffs will keep everyone on their toes on 2 April.</li>
</ul>



Australia: RBA rate decision on 1 April. Expect no change.


Japan: Nikkei 225 rebalancing effective 31 March at the close.

US reciprocal tariffs will keep everyone on their toes on 2 April.


Market Movers: Key Dates at a Glance (31 March- 6 April)

United States

The S&P 500® is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities and serves as the foundation for a wide range of investment products. The index includes 500 leading companies and captures approximately 80% coverage of available market capitalization.

S&P 500 INDEX (SPX INDEX)

US Reciprocal Tariff Scheme Is Likely to Boost US Manufacturing in Time; Positive

US imposes 10%-54% 'reciprocal' tariffs, hitting China hard but benefiting UK, Korea, Japan, India. Reshoring of manufacturing to boost US...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Tactical Trading - Time to Sell Japan. Again.

It's the perfect storm for the Japanese market. Tariffs, JPY, rising rates and inflation, with growth weakening. The 2,800 level on Topix has been...

Rikki Malik

Overview #21 India, Gold and the Slow Death of AI

A review of recent events/data impacting our investment themes and outlook. Revisiting India, our top 2 allocations and the ongoing US bear market

Rikki Malik

[ETP 2025/13] WTI Climbs on Trade Disruptions, Moderate Weather Forecasts Cap Henry Hub

US oil inventories fell more than expected, while natural gas inventories rose in line with expectations. Shell to increase shareholder...

Mint Finance

Market Movers: Key Dates at a Glance (31 March- 6 April)

RBA expected to keep rates steady, Nikkei 225 rebalancing in Japan, India shifting its option expiration day, Exchange Holidays in India and...

Gaudenz Schneider

US Reciprocal Tariff Scheme Is Likely to Boost US Manufacturing in Time; Positive

​US imposes 10%-54% 'reciprocal' tariffs, hitting China hard but benefiting UK, Korea, Japan, India. Reshoring of manufacturing to boost US...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Tactical Trading - Time to Sell Japan. Again.

It's the perfect storm for the Japanese market. Tariffs, JPY, rising rates and inflation, with growth weakening. The 2,800 level on Topix has been...

Rikki Malik

Overview #21 India, Gold and the Slow Death of AI

A review of recent events/data impacting our investment themes and outlook. Revisiting India, our top 2 allocations and the ongoing US bear market

Rikki Malik

[ETP 2025/13] WTI Climbs on Trade Disruptions, Moderate Weather Forecasts Cap Henry Hub

​US oil inventories fell more than expected, while natural gas inventories rose in line with expectations. Shell to increase shareholder...

Mint Finance

Market Movers: Key Dates at a Glance (31 March- 6 April)

​RBA expected to keep rates steady, Nikkei 225 rebalancing in Japan, India shifting its option expiration day, Exchange Holidays in India and...

Gaudenz Schneider

US imposes 10%-54% 'reciprocal' tariffs, hitting China hard but benefiting UK, Korea, Japan, India. Reshoring of manufacturing to boost US...

US oil inventories fell more than expected, while natural gas inventories rose in line with expectations. Shell to increase shareholder...

RBA expected to keep rates steady, Nikkei 225 rebalancing in Japan, India shifting its option expiration day, Exchange Holidays in India and...