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>After a 0.99%MoM annualised rise in May'24, core PCE inflation eased to 2.57%YoY -- lower than the 2.6%YoY end-CY24 projection that the FOMC believed was compatible with 3 rate cuts. </li>
<li>While the FOMC initially signalled QT in Jun'22, base money increased each month during Jul'23-Feb'24, contributing to higher inflation. Contracting base money since Mar'24 was key to moderating MoM inflation.</li>
<li>Core PCE will likely rise 2%QoQ (annualised) in Q2CY24, and 2.5%YoY in Jun'24. The release of those numbers six days before FOMC decision (31/7/24) will likely trigger Jul'24 rate cut. </li>
</ul>


After a 0.99%MoM annualised rise in May'24, core PCE inflation eased to 2.57%YoY -- lower than the 2.6%YoY end-CY24 projection that the FOMC believed was compatible with 3 rate cuts. 
While the FOMC initially signalled QT in Jun'22, base money increased each month during Jul'23-Feb'24, contributing to higher inflation. Contracting base money since Mar'24 was key to moderating MoM inflation.
Core PCE will likely rise 2%QoQ (annualised) in Q2CY24, and 2.5%YoY in Jun'24. The release of those numbers six days before FOMC decision (31/7/24) will likely trigger Jul'24 rate cut. 


US: Receding Inflation Has Put 3 Rate Cuts Back in Play for 2024

Geopolitical Analyst, Steno Research, Steno Research

Mikkel Rosenvold

Geopolitical Analyst, Steno Research

Macro and Geopolitical Research House

Steno Research

Steno Research is a new macro and geopolitical research house. We are based out of Copenhagen, Denmark, but have an international team and a strong network of sources and partners around the world. The team is lead by Andreas Steno, previous global head of strategy at Nordea Bank, and Mikkel Rosenvold, former chief consultant in the Danish Ministry of Finance.

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Hello and welcome to this week’s Great Game.</li>
<li>The First Round of the French Legislative Election was held on Sunday and the initial results suggested a clear win for Marine Le Pen’s far-right coalition around her <em>National Rally</em> party</li>
<li>Biden is starting to drop rapidly in polls after the US presidential debate.</li>
</ul>


Hello and welcome to this week’s Great Game.
The First Round of the French Legislative Election was held on Sunday and the initial results suggested a clear win for Marine Le Pen’s far-right coalition around her National Rally party
Biden is starting to drop rapidly in polls after the US presidential debate.


Great Game – Biden in Free-Fall and a French Ménage À Trois

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>Occidental trades at higher PE and PB valuations than Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, TotalEnergies, and BP. European oil majors are cheaper than American peers.  </li>
<li>Occidental has been the Permian Basin's leading oil and gas producer for the past five years. </li>
<li>Occidental expects to close the USD 12 billion CrownRock acquisition by August. The deal is anticipated to boost its oil output by 170k bpd. </li>
</ul>


Occidental trades at higher PE and PB valuations than Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, TotalEnergies, and BP. European oil majors are cheaper than American peers.  
Occidental has been the Permian Basin's leading oil and gas producer for the past five years. 
Occidental expects to close the USD 12 billion CrownRock acquisition by August. The deal is anticipated to boost its oil output by 170k bpd. 


Berkshire's Bullish Bet on Occidental Fails to Sway Market Sentiments

<ul>
<li>Pres. Biden's disastrous debate performance (in which he looked senile and cognitively incapacitated) has led Democrats to call on him to step aside in favour of an alternate Democrat nominee.</li>
<li>In 1968, LBJ stepped aside before most primaries, and VP Humphrey won nomination at the convention. He lost the general mainly because third party candidate Wallace ate into Democrat votes. </li>
<li>Trump landslide would be inflationary (because of 10% tariffs on all imports, more on China), plus the embarrassment of having a convicted felon as president. Near-term negative for US. </li>
</ul>


Pres. Biden's disastrous debate performance (in which he looked senile and cognitively incapacitated) has led Democrats to call on him to step aside in favour of an alternate Democrat nominee.
In 1968, LBJ stepped aside before most primaries, and VP Humphrey won nomination at the convention. He lost the general mainly because third party candidate Wallace ate into Democrat votes. 
Trump landslide would be inflationary (because of 10% tariffs on all imports, more on China), plus the embarrassment of having a convicted felon as president. Near-term negative for US. 


Biden's Catastrophic Debate Likely to Lead to 1968-Repeat; Can It End Differently?

Equity Derivatives and Volatility Specialist, Clifton Derivatives

John Ley

Equity Derivatives and Volatility Specialist

Clifton Derivatives

Independent derivative and volatility research firm focusing on events/catalysts, earnings, relative value and cross asset volatility strategies.

Equity Derivatives

Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 / Equity Derivatives

Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 (KOSPI2 INDEX EQUITY)

<ul>
<li>August’s muted rally was accompanied by rapidly falling implied volatility.</li>
<li>Kospi’s relative weakness versus SPX may attract bargain hunters and raise the possibility that renewed market momentum could recharge volatility.</li>
<li>The history of vol premium in prior Septembers offers a cautionary backdrop as implied vols emerge from a steep decline.</li>
</ul>


August’s muted rally was accompanied by rapidly falling implied volatility.
Kospi’s relative weakness versus SPX may attract bargain hunters and raise the possibility that renewed market momentum could recharge volatility.
The history of vol premium in prior Septembers offers a cautionary backdrop as implied vols emerge from a steep decline.


Kospi Index Options Monthly September 2026: Oversold Kospi Could Put Volatility Back in Play

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: Receding Inflation Has Put 3 Rate Cuts Back in Play for 2024

Core PCE rose 0.99%MoM annualised in May'24, as genuine QT occurred in Apr-May'24. The 25th July release of 2%QoQ and 2.5%YoY rises in core PCE...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Great Game – Biden in Free-Fall and a French Ménage À Trois

Biden is starting to drop rapidly in polls after the US presidential debate. Many polls show Trump to have opened a 2-4 point lead nationally,...

Steno Research

Berkshire's Bullish Bet on Occidental Fails to Sway Market Sentiments

Berkshire buys Occidental shares for nine straight trading days between 5/Jun-17/Jun. Occidental has the largest acreage in the Permian and has...

Mint Finance

Biden's Catastrophic Debate Likely to Lead to 1968-Repeat; Can It End Differently?

Biden's cognitively-challenged debate performance increases the probability of a Trump landslide, with 10% import tariffs disrupting the world...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Kospi Index Options Monthly September 2026: Oversold Kospi Could Put Volatility Back in Play

Implied volatility retreated during August’s muted rally, but relative weakness and a cautionary September history keep Kospi’s outlook interesting.

John Ley