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

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>We expect PH to win the 15th General Election, because it will win a majority of the seats in West Malaysia as the non-PH vote splits between UMNO and PN. </li>
<li>PH may fall short of a national majority because it competes with local parties (rather than aligning with any major ones) in Sabah-Sarawak, which may hold the final cards.</li>
<li>While that is our baseline scenario, if current polling holds, PH will comfortably form the government with Anwar as PM. Winners will be technology companies and Hong Leong group.</li>
</ul>


We expect PH to win the 15th General Election, because it will win a majority of the seats in West Malaysia as the non-PH vote splits between UMNO and PN. 
PH may fall short of a national majority because it competes with local parties (rather than aligning with any major ones) in Sabah-Sarawak, which may hold the final cards.
While that is our baseline scenario, if current polling holds, PH will comfortably form the government with Anwar as PM. Winners will be technology companies and Hong Leong group.


Malaysia: PH Is Stronger in West Malaysia, but Sabah-Sarawak May Hold Final Cards

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning, Copley Fund Research

Steven Holden

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning

Copley Fund Research

Copley Fund Research provide research and data on asset allocation among Global and Emerging Market equity funds.  The analysis details absolute and relative positioning across countries, sectors and industries together with highly granular data on single stock and single fund allocations.  The data is updated monthly with time series going back to January 2011.

Global Research - Analysis of 165 prominent Global equity funds, combined AUM $335bn
GEM Research - Analysis of 127 prominent global EM equity funds, combined AUM $250bn

Asset Allocation - Global and GEM Equity

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Malaysian ownership continues its upward trend after a 10-year bear market in positioning from 2014 to 2023</li>
<li>Longer-Term ownership declines in Malaysian Financials and Industrials are starting to reverse.</li>
<li>Only 3 companies are owned by more than 10% of funds, with CIMB Group Holdings (CIMB MK)  the clear leader.</li>
</ul>


Malaysian ownership continues its upward trend after a 10-year bear market in positioning from 2014 to 2023
Longer-Term ownership declines in Malaysian Financials and Industrials are starting to reverse.
Only 3 companies are owned by more than 10% of funds, with CIMB Group Holdings (CIMB MK)  the clear leader.


Malaysia: Sentiment Change Drives Positioning Off the Lows

Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Of the six Malaysian banks screened, we keep value play CIMB, whose share price has positive momentum, and quality play Maybank on the buy list</li>
<li>Value pick CIMB has undemanding valuations whilst second from top in post-provision profitability; it has strong capital adequacy and its cost of risk is now more in line with peers</li>
<li>Quality pick Maybank also has relatively undemanding PE multiples and PBV ratio, as well as strong balance sheet credentials and improving returns</li>
</ul>


Of the six Malaysian banks screened, we keep value play CIMB, whose share price has positive momentum, and quality play Maybank on the buy list
Value pick CIMB has undemanding valuations whilst second from top in post-provision profitability; it has strong capital adequacy and its cost of risk is now more in line with peers
Quality pick Maybank also has relatively undemanding PE multiples and PBV ratio, as well as strong balance sheet credentials and improving returns


Malaysian Banks Screener; Stick with Value Pick CIMB and Maybank as the Quality Pick

<ul>
<li>The six Malaysian banks screen favourably on balance sheet and returns metrics to June 2022; we add CIMB to the buy list, keep RHB and we remove Maybank</li>
<li>We add CIMB with its positive post-provision return trends and further potential which combine constructively with CIMB’s undemanding valuations versus the peer group; its high NPL ratio is fully provisioned</li>
<li>We stick with RHB, with its attractive post-provision profitability and positive cost of risk trends, whilst also trading on attractive multiples versus peers and on a relatively low PEG</li>
</ul>


The six Malaysian banks screen favourably on balance sheet and returns metrics to June 2022; we add CIMB to the buy list, keep RHB and we remove Maybank
We add CIMB with its positive post-provision return trends and further potential which combine constructively with CIMB’s undemanding valuations versus the peer group; its high NPL ratio is fully provisioned
We stick with RHB, with its attractive post-provision profitability and positive cost of risk trends, whilst also trading on attractive multiples versus peers and on a relatively low PEG


Malaysian Banks June 2022 Screener; CIMB Is Our New Value Pick

Malaysia

Hong Leong Bank Berhad provides commercial banking and related financial services.  The Company's services include leasing and hire purchase, nominee, Islamic Banking, and unit trust management.  Through its subsidiaries, the Company also develops and invests in real estate.

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Hong Leong Bank (HLBK 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

Malaysia: PH Is Stronger in West Malaysia, but Sabah-Sarawak May Hold Final Cards

Anwar Ibrahim will be PM by the end of November. PH will win west Malaysia comfortably, but may fall short nationally because of Borneo states....

Prasenjit K. Basu

Malaysia: Sentiment Change Drives Positioning Off the Lows

Among active Emerging Market funds, Malaysian ownership continues its upward trend after a 10-year bear market in positioning from 2014 to 2023.

Steven Holden

Malaysian Banks Screener; Stick with Value Pick CIMB and Maybank as the Quality Pick

Value play CIMB and quality play Maybank are top picks among Malaysian banks, both with strong financials and positive momentum in share price....

Victor Galliano

Malaysian Banks June 2022 Screener; CIMB Is Our New Value Pick

We add CIMB to the buy list, keep RHB and we remove Maybank; CIMB has positive post-provision return trends and undemanding valuations; RHB has...

Victor Galliano

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

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

Malaysia: PH Is Stronger in West Malaysia, but Sabah-Sarawak May Hold Final Cards

Anwar Ibrahim will be PM by the end of November. PH will win west Malaysia comfortably, but may fall short nationally because of Borneo states....

Prasenjit K. Basu

Malaysia: Sentiment Change Drives Positioning Off the Lows

Among active Emerging Market funds, Malaysian ownership continues its upward trend after a 10-year bear market in positioning from 2014 to 2023.

Steven Holden

Malaysian Banks Screener; Stick with Value Pick CIMB and Maybank as the Quality Pick

​Value play CIMB and quality play Maybank are top picks among Malaysian banks, both with strong financials and positive momentum in share price....

Victor Galliano

Malaysian Banks June 2022 Screener; CIMB Is Our New Value Pick

We add CIMB to the buy list, keep RHB and we remove Maybank; CIMB has positive post-provision return trends and undemanding valuations; RHB has...

Victor Galliano

Value play CIMB and quality play Maybank are top picks among Malaysian banks, both with strong financials and positive momentum in share price....