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

Real GDP will likely grow 6.5% in 2021, pushing CPI inflation above 2%YoY by mid-year. The monetary stance will officially tighten (to "gradual appreciation of the S$NEER") in October 2021. Given excess supply of residential and commercial property, we expect downward pressure on property prices, and hence recommend being Underweight Singapore equities, but long the SGD. Manufacturing production grew 11.1% YoY in 1Q 2021 (much faster than the 7.5% estimate in the Advance Estimate of GDP announced on 14 April), so real GDP is likely to have grown at least 1.2% YoY in 1Q 2021. Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) grew 9.7% YoY in 1Q 2021, the strongest in the last 4 quarters. Helped by the low-base (-13.3% YoY in 2Q 2020), real GDP is likely to grow at least 12% YoY in 2Q 2020, and a further 6% YoY in 2H 2021 -- ensuring real GDP growth of 6.5% in 2021, faster than the official forecast of "4 to 6%" growth this year. The unemployment rate has fallen to 2.9% in March 2021, above the average of the past decade, but below the levels that prevailed in 1998-2001, 2003-06 and 2009. With tourism-facing sectors unlikely to restore jobs, the effective "full employment" level for the rest of the economy is an unemployment rate of 2.5%, which will be reached by mid-2021. CPI inflation is already at 1.3%, the highest since May 2017, and will likely exceed 2% YoY by June, and stay above those levels for the rest of 2021. We expect the S$NEER to trade at the top of its policy band (about 2% above this month's level) by 3Q 2021, and the official policy stance to be amended to "gradual appreciation of the the S$NEER" at the next policy announcement in October 2021. The effective tightening of monetary conditions will be negative for the equity market. Excessive property supply will exert downward pressure on residential and commercial property prices, hurting prospects for the property sector. We recommend being long the currency (SGD) but underweight Singapore equities on a 6-9 month view. The setback to the leadership transition (with Heng Swee Keat stepping down as PM-in-waiting) is a medium-term concern. But Lawrence Wong as FM, with PM Lee continuing for longer, ensures policy continuity that will underpin the near-term growth outlook.

Real GDP will likely grow 6.5% in 2021, pushing CPI inflation above 2%YoY by mid-year. The monetary stance will officially tighten (to "gradual appreciation of the S$NEER") in October 2021. Given excess supply of residential and commercial property, we expect downward pressure on property prices, and hence recommend being Underweight Singapore equities, but long the SGD. Manufacturing production grew 11.1% YoY in 1Q 2021 (much faster than the 7.5% estimate in the Advance Estimate of GDP announced on 14 April), so real GDP is likely to have grown at least 1.2% YoY in 1Q 2021. Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) grew 9.7% YoY in 1Q 2021, the strongest in the last 4 quarters. Helped by the low-base (-13.3% YoY in 2Q 2020), real GDP is likely to grow at least 12% YoY in 2Q 2020, and a further 6% YoY in 2H 2021 -- ensuring real GDP growth of 6.5% in 2021, faster than the official forecast of "4 to 6%" growth this year. The unemployment rate has fallen to 2.9% in March 2021, above the average of the past decade, but below the levels that prevailed in 1998-2001, 2003-06 and 2009. With tourism-facing sectors unlikely to restore jobs, the effective "full employment" level for the rest of the economy is an unemployment rate of 2.5%, which will be reached by mid-2021. CPI inflation is already at 1.3%, the highest since May 2017, and will likely exceed 2% YoY by June, and stay above those levels for the rest of 2021. We expect the S$NEER to trade at the top of its policy band (about 2% above this month's level) by 3Q 2021, and the official policy stance to be amended to "gradual appreciation of the the S$NEER" at the next policy announcement in October 2021. The effective tightening of monetary conditions will be negative for the equity market. Excessive property supply will exert downward pressure on residential and commercial property prices, hurting prospects for the property sector. We recommend being long the currency (SGD) but underweight Singapore equities on a 6-9 month view. The setback to the leadership transition (with Heng Swee Keat stepping down as PM-in-waiting) is a medium-term concern. But Lawrence Wong as FM, with PM Lee continuing for longer, ensures policy continuity that will underpin the near-term growth outlook.  

Singapore's Strong Rebound Will Raise Inflation, Strengthening SGD in 2H 2021

Chart based progressive global trading strategies, Chart Partners

Thomas Schroeder

Chart based progressive global trading strategies

Chart Partners

Chart Partners objective is to discover medium-term cycle turns and profit opportunities before they unfold, within structural trends while preserving capital with clear degrees of risk. We have real return ideas. 

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Technical Analysis

Buy DXY 91 to 90.50 overshoot to a align with the SPX top of the rising wedge near 4,180 for a peak in risk. Late April is the ideal timeline for a USD low base to form as a rally platform for a risk off cycle in May/June.Expect some key lows for the USD in EM to pressure EM equities in coming months. USD in Asia bearish tactically into targeted lows to reverse positioning to long the USD.

Buy DXY 91 to 90.50 overshoot to a align with the SPX top of the rising wedge near 4,180 for a peak in risk. Late April is the ideal timeline for a USD low base to form as a rally platform for a risk off cycle in May/June.Expect some key lows for the USD in EM to pressure EM equities in coming months. USD in Asia bearish tactically into targeted lows to reverse positioning to long the USD.

Cross-Asset Liquidity Strategist, CrossBorder Capital

Michael J. Howell

Cross-Asset Liquidity Strategist

Implementing Research Using Alt Data & AI

CrossBorder Capital

CrossBorder Capital is a London-based independent investment advisory firm. Founded in 1996, it exploits a gap in the investment arena by focusing on Central bank liquidity. 

It specialises in the monitoring and analysis of global liquidity flows - an important determinant of asset prices, from currencies through to bonds, equities and real estate.

CrossBorder Capital implements its investment strategy and currently manages over US$ 350m.


<ul>
<li>A new currency regime in Asia?</li>
<li>Wildly inaccurate media reports wrongly suggest large-scale capital outflows from EM</li>
<li>Rather EM enjoying best forex reserve growth for a decade</li>
<li>
De facto Asian Currency Unit, a ‘Euro-like’ policy, allowing monetization</li>
<li>Loose US fiscal and monetary policies are more likely to spill-over into EM</li>
</ul>


A new currency regime in Asia?
Wildly inaccurate media reports wrongly suggest large-scale capital outflows from EM
Rather EM enjoying best forex reserve growth for a decade

De facto Asian Currency Unit, a ‘Euro-like’ policy, allowing monetization
Loose US fiscal and monetary policies are more likely to spill-over into EM


Could The New Asian ‘Euro’ Mean A Coming Decade of Outperformance From Emerging Markets?

DXY rally call from sub 90 to 92 is in line and we are a tactical seller in the 92+ area for a pullback sequence amid an expected 10yr yield pullback. With the USD such a crowded short trade in a rising yield trajectory, we now find compelling evidence that the dollar may shift gears toward a more bullish stance after a pullback sequence. DXY weekly bull divergence and a price bottom pattern mirroring that in 2018 has our attention.The USD is a crowded short and would take little to spark a short covering reaction higher as witnessed in the USD/JPY above 107 (impulsive rise has legs). NZD above 0.74 shows risk of a macro top as does the AUD back near 0.81.

DXY rally call from sub 90 to 92 is in line and we are a tactical seller in the 92+ area for a pullback sequence amid an expected 10yr yield pullback. With the USD such a crowded short trade in a rising yield trajectory, we now find compelling evidence that the dollar may shift gears toward a more bullish stance after a pullback sequence. DXY weekly bull divergence and a price bottom pattern mirroring that in 2018 has our attention.The USD is a crowded short and would take little to spark a short covering reaction higher as witnessed in the USD/JPY above 107 (impulsive rise has legs). NZD above 0.74 shows risk of a macro top as does the AUD back near 0.81.

A Dollar Macro Low Would Surprise Crowded Shorts

Our bet was that a USD low near DXY 89 would front run a risk off cycle for equities. Now that a low appears to be in place we are focusing on levels that would induce upside acceleration for the USD and bleed into the risk universe (AUD/JPY short). The pain trade is USD short covering in EM and Asia.Euro top near 1.23 and break below rising wedge support as pinpointed over a week ago.USD/ZAR and USD/TRY are favored long plays in EM. In Asia, we have touted buying USD vs KRW, THB and INR but also see a high conviction USD rally set up versus SGD and then IDR.Macro view is to sell the DXY near 92-94 for new lows but there will be a slew of trading swing points into the summer.

Our bet was that a USD low near DXY 89 would front run a risk off cycle for equities. Now that a low appears to be in place we are focusing on levels that would induce upside acceleration for the USD and bleed into the risk universe (AUD/JPY short). The pain trade is USD short covering in EM and Asia.Euro top near 1.23 and break below rising wedge support as pinpointed over a week ago.USD/ZAR and USD/TRY are favored long plays in EM. In Asia, we have touted buying USD vs KRW, THB and INR but also see a high conviction USD rally set up versus SGD and then IDR.Macro view is to sell the DXY near 92-94 for new lows but there will be a slew of trading swing points into the summer.

USD Acceleration Points that Will Bleed into Equity Risk

Singapore

The Singapore dollar is the official currency of the Republic of Singapore. 

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Singapore's Strong Rebound Will Raise Inflation, Strengthening SGD in 2H 2021

Real GDP likely grew 1.2% YoY in 1Q, & will grow 6.5% in 2021. CPI inflation will exceed 2% by mid-year, causing MAS to tighten policy in Oct21. We...

Prasenjit K. Basu

USD Buy Levels to Sync with Peak in Risk

Buy DXY 91 to 90.50 overshoot to a align with the SPX top of the rising wedge near 4,180 for a peak in risk. Late April is the ideal timeline for a...

Thomas Schroeder

Could The New Asian ‘Euro’ Mean A Coming Decade of Outperformance From Emerging Markets?

Asian cross-currency volatility is at its all-time low. A de facto Euro-like unit is forming. This could be hugely bullish for Emerging Markets

Michael J. Howell

A Dollar Macro Low Would Surprise Crowded Shorts

USD is a crowded short trade in a rising yield trajectory, we now find compelling evidence that the dollar will shift gears (more bullish) after a...

Thomas Schroeder

USD Acceleration Points that Will Bleed into Equity Risk

Our bet was that a USD low near DXY 89 would front run a risk off cycle for equities. Focus is on upside acceleration levels that would bleed into...

Thomas Schroeder

Price Gauge

52-week Range

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