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>FX reserves, which had declined over 10% from Mar'22 to Oct'22, rebounded by 8.9% in Nov-Dec'22. Anwar's inclusive policies will likely induce a steady rebound in net capital inflows. </li>
<li>Base effects have facilitated 9.3%YoY real GDP growth in Q1-Q3 2022 led by strong private consumption and net exports; better growth cut the fiscal deficit to 4% of GDP YTD.    </li>
<li>Net foreign portfolio outflows averaged 1.75% of GDP since 2013. As FPI rebounds, and non-bumiputera businesses invest anew, Malaysia's real GDP will grow 6% despite the OECD recession in 2023.</li>
</ul>


FX reserves, which had declined over 10% from Mar'22 to Oct'22, rebounded by 8.9% in Nov-Dec'22. Anwar's inclusive policies will likely induce a steady rebound in net capital inflows. 
Base effects have facilitated 9.3%YoY real GDP growth in Q1-Q3 2022 led by strong private consumption and net exports; better growth cut the fiscal deficit to 4% of GDP YTD.    
Net foreign portfolio outflows averaged 1.75% of GDP since 2013. As FPI rebounds, and non-bumiputera businesses invest anew, Malaysia's real GDP will grow 6% despite the OECD recession in 2023.


Malaysia: Anwar Well-Positioned to Spur Economic Recovery as Capital Flows Back

Singapore Market Roundup, Singapore Market Roundup

Singapore Market Roundup

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>Despite softness in Singapore retail, DBS remains optimistic about premium groceries, focusing on that market.</li><li>UOB Kay Hian's top Malaysian stock picks include JS-SEZ, benefiting from property, construction, and energy sectors.</li><li>DBS raises ratings for PropNex &amp; APAC Realty to 'buy', citing a strong new launch pipeline in 2025, and sold SingPost shares.</li></ul>

Despite softness in Singapore retail, DBS remains optimistic about premium groceries, focusing on that market.UOB Kay Hian's top Malaysian stock picks include JS-SEZ, benefiting from property, construction, and energy sectors.DBS raises ratings for PropNex &amp; APAC Realty to 'buy', citing a strong new launch pipeline in 2025, and sold SingPost shares.

Singapore Market Roundup (08-Jan-2025): DBS cautious on SG retail, bullish on premium groceries.

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Index Rebalance

Sinopec Engineering Group H / Index Rebalance

<ul>
<li>The WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index is a fundamentally weighted index that measures the performance of small cap stocks within Emerging Markets.</li>
<li>The changes at the October rebalance were announced after market close on 4 October with implementation scheduled at the close on 16 October.</li>
<li>There are 8 trading days to implementation and there are a bunch of stocks with over 2x ADV to trade.</li>
</ul>


The WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index is a fundamentally weighted index that measures the performance of small cap stocks within Emerging Markets.
The changes at the October rebalance were announced after market close on 4 October with implementation scheduled at the close on 16 October.
There are 8 trading days to implementation and there are a bunch of stocks with over 2x ADV to trade.


WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index Rebalance: US$1bn to Trade

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Back on the<a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/NSL%20-%20Pre-Conditional%20MGO%20Annc_Final.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=812590" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 23rd July</a>, YTL Cement entered into a S&amp;P agreement with 98 Holdings to acquire a 81.24% stake in building material manufacturing/supplier <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nsl-ltd-singapore" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12666:1" rel="noopener"><strong>NSL Ltd (NSL SP</strong>)</a> at S$0.75/share. </li>
<li>Pre-Conditions are now satisfied, and YTL Cement has launched a <a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/NSL%20-%20Firm%20Offer%20Announcement%20and%20Appointment%20of%20Independent%20Financial%20Adviser.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=819425" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mandatory unconditional cash Offer</a>. The Offer price is also S$0.75/share. </li>
<li>Super straightforward deal. And will trade tight to - or through terms. YTL's intention is to maintain NSL's listing. </li>
</ul>


Back on the 23rd July, YTL Cement entered into a S&amp;P agreement with 98 Holdings to acquire a 81.24% stake in building material manufacturing/supplier NSL Ltd (NSL SP) at S$0.75/share. 
Pre-Conditions are now satisfied, and YTL Cement has launched a mandatory unconditional cash Offer. The Offer price is also S$0.75/share. 
Super straightforward deal. And will trade tight to - or through terms. YTL's intention is to maintain NSL's listing. 


NSL Ltd (NSL SP): YTL's Unconditional Offer

CEO, A. Stotz Investment Research

Dr. Andrew Stotz, CFA

Quantamental Investing to beat Benchmarks

A. Stotz Investment Research

We pick stocks. We construct portfolios. All our effort is focused on how to better pick stocks and construct portfolios. We serve fund management companies, family offices, and high net worth individuals.

<ul>
<li>We highlight 14 stocks in ASEAN that look interesting to us based on our FVMR Methodology</li>
<li>Portfolio changes: Four stocks remain, 10 stocks added to our portfolio</li>
<li>Since its inception, the portfolio has generated a before-fee total return of 249% versus MSCI ASEAN’s 39%</li>
</ul>


We highlight 14 stocks in ASEAN that look interesting to us based on our FVMR Methodology
Portfolio changes: Four stocks remain, 10 stocks added to our portfolio
Since its inception, the portfolio has generated a before-fee total return of 249% versus MSCI ASEAN’s 39%


Malaysia

YTL Corporation Berhad is an investment holding and management company. Through its subsidiaries, the Company operates an integrated infrastructure development which includes construction work on contractual basis, property development, power generation, and hotel development and management. YTL Corporation also manufactures industrial products and supplies.

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YTL Corp (YTL MK)

Malaysia: Anwar Well-Positioned to Spur Economic Recovery as Capital Flows Back

FX reserves & MYR have rebounded since Anwar became PM. Non-bumi businesses which were investing outside Malaysia since 2000 are set to return,...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Singapore Market Roundup (08-Jan-2025): DBS cautious on SG retail, bullish on premium groceries.

DBS remains optimistic about premium groceries despite softness in Singapore retail, UOB Kay Hian recommends JS-SEZ for property, construction, and...

Singapore Market Roundup

WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index Rebalance: US$1bn to Trade

There are 370 adds/257 deletes for the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. Round-trip trade is around US$1bn. There is big impact...

Brian Freitas

NSL Ltd (NSL SP): YTL's Unconditional Offer

Super straightforward deal. And will trade tight to - or potentially through terms. YTL's intention is to maintain NSL's listing.

David Blennerhassett

The Stocks to Own in ASEAN – Vol. 48

We highlight 14 stocks in ASEAN that look interesting to us based on our FVMR Methodology. Portfolio changes: Five stocks remain, nine stocks added...

A. Stotz Investment Research

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