Bfm :: Market Watch

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

The FBMKLCI at one time, was the one of the best performing markets in ASEAN on the back of reform, appreciating Ringgit and playing catch up after years of underperformance. But of late, the FBMKLCI has lost some of its gains. We ask Chehan Perera, Head of Research and Strategist at CGS international if the 3rd quarter corporate results provides any clues of what to expect in 2025 and what are his top buy ideas.Image Credit: shutterstock.com

With the last FOMC meeting in December, the street is still expecting one more rate cut for 2024. But with a Trump presidency and an uncertain pace of economic growth, what will the pace and quantum of cuts be for 2025? Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management gives us his perspective whilst weighing in on why US markets continue to hit new record highs.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

After a good start, Malaysia is only up 10% on a year-on-to-date basis, but how will it perform in 2025? Peter Lim, Founder & Chief Research Officer, Trident Analytics Sdn Bhd gives us his perspective whilst telling us his top ideas.Image Credit:shutterstock.com

US markets have rallied despite the economic policy uncertainty , but will it continue to rally? Brian Arcese, Portfolio Manager & Equity Analyst, Foord Asset Management gives us his perspective whilst offering other investment ideas as we head into 2025.Image Credit: shutterstock.com

We get Vishnu Varathan's, Head of Economics & Strategy at Mizuho Bank, perspective on the latest 3Q GDP number coming out from the US which came in at 2.8% and whether this changes the trajectory for a December rate cut.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

The Singapore Straits Times Index after a rather slow start to the year is up 15% on a year-to-date basis. We speak to Kelvin Wong, Senior Market Analyst, OANDA as to the reasons why the market has surged in the last three months and if there is more upside. We also discuss the recent strong market performance of the US markets and if that rally will extend to the small caps.Image Credit: shutterstock.com

Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management explains why markets were sanguine with the nomination of Scott Bessent as US Treasury Secretary as he deep dives into what it particularly means for upcoming tariffs and cryptocurrency.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

So far, the US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates twice this year by a total of 75 basis points. In Europe, the ECB's trajectory has been more aggressive - three times to 3.4% currently. Yeap Jun Rong, Market Strategist at IG International takes a look at the factors leading to these decisions and what we can expect going into 2025.Image Credit: shutterstock.com

Michele Schneider, Chief Strategist from Market Gauge, shares her perspective on the recent US jobless claims figures and whether this clarifies a US December rate cut by the Fed amid frothy valuations in the US stock market. Image Credit: shutterstock.com