Bfm :: Market Watch

Tim Mulholland, President of TJM Limited, unpacks the latest initial jobless numbers claims and reflects on whether 2025 will be the year for more M&A deals as we welcome Trump's administration that promises more deregulation.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

US inflation is expected to trend upwards in 2025, but what does that mean for equity markets? Independent market analyst Laurent Lequeu weighs in with the investment strategies to consider.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management hopes that other markets will catch up and can challenge US's dominance in global equities as we brace for another year of uncertainty and volatility with the return of President Donald Trump.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Amid expectations for fewer rates cuts in 2025 by the US Federal Reserve, its chair Jerome Powell and his team are likely going to have to navigate between inflation risks along with political risks, as president-elect Donald Trump takes office. Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank, talks to us about what we can expect in terms of how the US central bank might respond and whether the USD will resume its ascent.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Despite the Fed keeping rates higher for longer, US markets look set to continue their upward trend on the back of the recent positive economy data. Yeap Jun Rong, Market Strategist, IG International tells us how what investment strategies to adopt and what sectors will outperform.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

The Federal Reserve cut rates by 25bps as expected but it was the messaging after that spooked markets with their reiteration that inflation remains stubbornly high. Markets are now forecasting just two rate cuts for 2025 which also led to a broad sell off in equities. We ask Tony Nash, CEO, Complete Intelligence as to the significance of this.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

2024 has been a year where the correlation between asset classes have been distorted with equities and gold rising in tandem despite the polar risk profiles. In fact gold has risen more than 28% on a year to date basis. We ask Michele Schneider, Chief Strategist, Market Gauge whether the rally will continue in 2025 and also her Fed rate outlook.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

As 2024 draws to a close, US markets continue to break records with the Nasdaq up more than 30% on a year to date basis. We ask Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management if US exceptionalism will continue to be a theme in 2025 or if there other investment ideas we should consider.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

The Fed will have their last FOMC for the year with all eyes on the dot plot for signs of whether rates will be higher for longer. We ask Kelvin Wong, Senior Market Analyst, OANDA for his perspective and what we can expect from other central bank decisions this week.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

The recent NFIB Small Business Optimism index hit the highest since June 2021. What does this mean for opportunities in the small cap space? We discuss this as well as where Fed policy could be heading in 2025 with Tim Mulholland of TJM Limited.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

A recent report revealed that the Chinese government is prepared to accept a weaker Yuan. We ask Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy from Mizuho Bank if that will happen and what impact it has with Emerging Market currencies especially the Ringgit which has a high correlation to the Yuan.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

With US government debt at record highs, is the strength of the Dollar and its Treasuries sustainable. We ask Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst & Writer at The Macro Butler Newsletter for his views and what is the alternative asset class to consider if there is indeed de-dollarisation.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Markets have already priced in a 25bps point cut at December's FOMC but forecasting the cuts in 2025 will prove harder with uncertain Trump economic policies. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us what are the key data points that will determine the monetary policy and does he think the stimulus announcements by China will be catalytic for markets.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

The construction sector is one of the winners in 2024 with the Bursa Malaysia Construction Index up 57% on a year to date basis, outperforming the FBMKLCI with a return of just 11%. Adam Mohamed Rahim, Equity Research Analyst, RHB Research tells us if the success will be replicated in 2025 and which stand to benefit the most.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Michael Lai, Executive Director, Wealth Advisory, OCBC Bank; helps us unpack whether we have missed the boat in terms of US equity markets and whether there are other markets that could be opportunities next year.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Malaysia is playing catch up with the rest of Asia after a few years of underperfomance. We ask Ng Zhu Hann, CEO & Founder at Tradeview Capital if the FBMKLCI will continue its winning streak in 2025 and what investment strategy to adopt.Image Credit: shutterstock.com

The Singapore Straits Times Index is proving to be the sleeper hit in Asia with a return of 19% on a year to date basis. We ask Geoff Howie, Market Strategist, Singapore Exchange as to whether the markets will continue to rally in 2025 and what are the potential themes that will outperform. Image Credit: shutterstock.com

US equity performance is head and shoulders above the rest of the world, despite valuations looking expensive. Tony Nash, CEO, Complete Intelligence tells us if there are still legs to this rally and do other markets like France, Germany and UK offer better opportunities.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

2024 was a challenging year for fixed income markets due to central bank rate cycle turning from hikes to easing, geopolitical events and fiscal concerns. Yields and asset prices remain near highs. With volatility expected to continue, will fixed income provide the much needed income returns and safe-haven asset and what strategies should investors then adopt? Howe Chung Wan, Managing Director and Head of Asia Fixed Income, Principal Asset Management gives us his perspective.This Market Outlook is brought to you by Principal.

With US jobless and IPI numbers out this week, will we have a better view of whether the Fed will cut rates at the last FOMC for the year? Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist, UBP tells us whilst giving us his view of the US dollar and if there is any alternative to it.Image Credit: shutterstock.com