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>FOMC held rates steady at 5.25-5.5%, but emphasized that "a reduction could be on the table...in September". From inflation risks alone, the FOMC statement shifted focus to its dual mandate.  </li>
<li>0.9%YoY M2 growth (Jun'24) evidences restrictive monetary conditions. Withdrawing QT after Aug'23 led to Jan-Apr'24 shocks in MoM core PCE, but latter now reined-in by resumed QT since Mar'24.</li>
<li>Core PCE inflation likely to wane to 2.3%YoY by Sep'24, enabling rates to decline 25bp at each of the next 3 FOMC meetings, ignoring political threats regarding the Sep'24 cut.</li>
</ul>


FOMC held rates steady at 5.25-5.5%, but emphasized that "a reduction could be on the table...in September". From inflation risks alone, the FOMC statement shifted focus to its dual mandate.  
0.9%YoY M2 growth (Jun'24) evidences restrictive monetary conditions. Withdrawing QT after Aug'23 led to Jan-Apr'24 shocks in MoM core PCE, but latter now reined-in by resumed QT since Mar'24.
Core PCE inflation likely to wane to 2.3%YoY by Sep'24, enabling rates to decline 25bp at each of the next 3 FOMC meetings, ignoring political threats regarding the Sep'24 cut.


FOMC Waits; Despite Politics, 3 Rate Cuts Are Likely This Year as Inflation Abates

Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>A monthly review of how the markets and our themes are currently performing</li>
<li>Analysing what went wrong and what went right in stocks and sectors</li>
<li>Highlighting positions added or removed from the thematic investment portfolio</li>
</ul>


A monthly review of how the markets and our themes are currently performing
Analysing what went wrong and what went right in stocks and sectors
Highlighting positions added or removed from the thematic investment portfolio


April Themes and Thematic Portfolio Review

<ul>
<li>The 'trade recession' of 2023 is over, and the OECD CLI suggests global trade should grow 4.5% this year, after just 0.4% growth in 2023 (akin to global trade recession). </li>
<li>Despite a hot job market (unemployment rate below NAIRU for 3 years), record illegal and legal immigration (and their higher working-age proportion) are keeping US wage growth relatively in check. </li>
<li>MoM gains in core PCE were lower than core CPI in Feb'24, and likely will be in Mar'24 also, allowing a glide to lower core-PCE inflation and Jul'24 rate cut. </li>
</ul>


The 'trade recession' of 2023 is over, and the OECD CLI suggests global trade should grow 4.5% this year, after just 0.4% growth in 2023 (akin to global trade recession). 
Despite a hot job market (unemployment rate below NAIRU for 3 years), record illegal and legal immigration (and their higher working-age proportion) are keeping US wage growth relatively in check. 
MoM gains in core PCE were lower than core CPI in Feb'24, and likely will be in Mar'24 also, allowing a glide to lower core-PCE inflation and Jul'24 rate cut. 


US Benign This Year: Trade Recession Over, but Rates Still Likely to Decline

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>
Global Liquidity has been the key factor driving risk assets higher. It faces a short-term air pocket that investors need to understand</li>
<li>Three factors are dragging Global Liquidity -- the US Fed, the PBoC and the rising MOVE Index</li>
<li>Most important near-term, the US money market liquidity has suffered a major hit this week following the April 15th Tax-filing deadline. Next up the QFA at month-end</li>
</ul>



Global Liquidity has been the key factor driving risk assets higher. It faces a short-term air pocket that investors need to understand
Three factors are dragging Global Liquidity -- the US Fed, the PBoC and the rising MOVE Index
Most important near-term, the US money market liquidity has suffered a major hit this week following the April 15th Tax-filing deadline. Next up the QFA at month-end


The Liquidity ‘Air Pocket’: A Short Update After US Tax Filing-Week

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The S&amp;P 500 index tracks the 500 largest names listed in the US and it is one of the most highly-tracked indices in the world.</li>
<li>The index is reviewed quarterly. The next review will be in June 2024 and the evaluation date for the rankings for the constituent selection process is 6th June 2024.</li>
<li>In this insight, we take a look at the Potential ADDs and Potential DELs for the June 2024 index rebal event and the intra-review ADDs/DELs.</li>
</ul>


The S&amp;P 500 index tracks the 500 largest names listed in the US and it is one of the most highly-tracked indices in the world.
The index is reviewed quarterly. The next review will be in June 2024 and the evaluation date for the rankings for the constituent selection process is 6th June 2024.
In this insight, we take a look at the Potential ADDs and Potential DELs for the June 2024 index rebal event and the intra-review ADDs/DELs.


Quiddity Leaderboard S&P 500 June 2024 - Minimal Changes Expected but Intrareview Changes Possible

United States

The S&P 500® is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities and serves as the foundation for a wide range of investment products. The index includes 500 leading companies and captures approximately 80% coverage of available market capitalization.

S&P 500 INDEX (SPX INDEX)

FOMC Waits; Despite Politics, 3 Rate Cuts Are Likely This Year as Inflation Abates

FF rate at a 23-year (real policy rate at 18yr high), M2 growth at 0.9%YoY in Jun'24, create conditions for steady decline in core PCE inflation to...

Prasenjit K. Basu

April Themes and Thematic Portfolio Review

We review overall market performance, our investment themes, highlighting additions and substractions in the thematic portfolio.

Rikki Malik

US Benign This Year: Trade Recession Over, but Rates Still Likely to Decline

Global trade volume grew 0.4% in 2023, but lead indicators suggest a strong 2024 recovery. Benign MoM rises in core PCE should enable YoY inflation...

Prasenjit K. Basu

The Liquidity ‘Air Pocket’: A Short Update After US Tax Filing-Week

Global Liquidity is the key factor driving risk assets. It faces an 'air pocket' over coming weeks. Investors need to understand the three factors...

Michael J. Howell

Quiddity Leaderboard S&P 500 June 2024 - Minimal Changes Expected but Intrareview Changes Possible

For the moment, there are 1-2 changes expected in Q2 for the S&P500. They could both be intra-review changes but timing is likely to be late. So...

Travis Lundy