ASEAN Speaks

Maybank

ASEAN Speaks by Maybank presents conversations with market analysts and thought leaders across Southeast Asia on topics covering equities, fixed income, forex, economics, sustainability, and current affairs that impact regional markets.

  1. 5 hr ago

    Looking Beyond the AI Bubble

    In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how easing tensions between the US and Iran are helping stabilise global markets, even as concerns over AI valuations continue to weigh on Asian equities. He explores why Singapore's resilient macroeconomic outlook continues to stand out, supported by stronger-than-expected growth, benign inflation and improving domestic fundamentals. We begin with Head of Macro Economics, Chua Hak Bin, who explains why Maybank has upgraded Singapore's 2026 GDP forecast and shares his outlook on inflation, monetary policy and the key risks facing the economy in the second half of the year. Next, our Analyst, Hussaini Saifee, discusses Singtel's latest capital recycling initiatives and why the stock remains a BUY despite recent weakness. He also highlights how AI, data centres and disciplined capital management continue to support the group's long-term growth outlook. We then turn to Thilan Wickramasinghe, who explains why OUE REIT's divestment of Crowne Plaza Changi Airport strengthens its balance sheet, enhances financial flexibility and supports continued upside despite near-term revenue dilution. Finally, Thilan examine Malaysia's banking sector ahead of a potential General Election, discussing why macro fundamentals remain more important than election timing and highlighting Maybank's preferred banking picks as investors position for the next phase of the cycle. -Edited by Ibrahim H

    21 min

  2. 22 Jun

    From Fed Shifts to AI Bets: Navigating the Next Market Regime

    In this episode, our host Seng Yeow, explores whether global markets are entering a new monetary regime as investors reassess the outlook for interest rates, political risk and the growing role of artificial intelligence in corporate strategy. We begin with US and Asian fixed income markets, where our Head of Fixed Income, Winson Phoon, discusses whether the era of easy money has come to an end following recent developments at the US Federal Reserve. He examines whether investors are underestimating the potential structural changes that could emerge under the influence of former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, and assesses whether Asian credit duration remains attractive as regional central banks are forced to maintain tighter monetary policy than domestic economic conditions may warrant. Next, turning to the palm oil sector, our Plantations Analyst, Ong Chee Ting focuses on Indonesian producers following a prolonged period of underperformance driven by export restrictions and policy uncertainty. He explains why political risks may now be more than fully priced in, underpinning his recent upgrade of First Resources, and discusses the outlook for BUMI amid evolving government policies. Stay Tuned! Edited by Victoria Zhou

    12 min

  3. 15 Jun

    From Hormuz to the World Cup: Finding Market Winners

    In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how optimism surrounding a US-Iran peace deal and the reopening of the Straits of Hormuz is easing inflation concerns and supporting risk assets globally. With oil prices falling and central bank pressures easing, he highlights why Singapore markets could be a key beneficiary, supported by strong liquidity, AI-driven growth and resilient domestic fundamentals. We begin with SGX, where Thilan explains why Maybank is raising its target price and maintaining a BUY call. He discusses how safe-haven inflows, market reforms and corporate restructuring activity are driving higher trading volumes, stronger derivatives activity and a structural improvement in market liquidity. Next, our Analyst, Xuan Hao Toh, shares his views on Singapore Investment and Finance following recent meetings with management. He discusses the company’s growth outlook, AI integration strategy and why he reiterates a BUY call on the stock. Thilan then turns to the World Cup, examining how Singapore equities have historically performed during tournament years and highlighting 10 stocks that could benefit from increased travel, hospitality, consumer spending and financial activity. He also shares insights from Maybank’s proprietary AI model on the tournament favourite. Finally, Head of Client Engagement, Alex Furber, joins the show to discuss the sharp moves in oil and gold prices following developments in the Middle East. He explains how traders can position for volatility and introduces new opportunities available through Maybank’s CFD platform.

    22 min

  4. 15 Jun

    Between China and the US, Who Really is Winning the AI Race

    With China and the US taking two fundamentally different approaches towards developing their AI ecosystems, there is a growing camp that believes that China is in an equally strong position to win the AI race despite technology sanctions. Producer and host Ong Seng Yeow speaks with Maybank's Hong Kong Strategist Ben Ho to deep dive on three key issues: ​Why might China be playing a fundamentally different strategy on AI?​Between the West or China, who is capturing more value?​How should investors assess the Chinese AI landscape? Timestamps 00:00 ----- Introduction 01:15 ----- Is China or the US winning and what defines a winner in the current AI race? 04:39 ----- Understanding the profitability gap analogy between Apple iOS vs. Google in the AI space 05:17 ----- The importance of token economics and how it is increasing value output for China 12:38 ----- US will be very protective of their proprietary models 13:53 ----- The Nvidia CUDA ecosystem monopoly explained 18:17 ----- Huawei Ascend shifts the denominator in the current advanced chip export control system 22:35 ----- Can China decouple enough that sanctions lose its effectiveness over time? 26:41 ----- Understanding China’s AI verticals 37:39 ----- What is the ultimate value capture? 40:43 ----- Alibaba: Conglomerate discount will continue to hold them back 42:22 ----- Tencent: AI as a feature 44:18 ----- Baidu: Can Apollo put Baidu back into the AI competition? 45:46 ----- BOSS Zhipin: A macro read on hiring trends 49:19 ----- What are the strategies of Chinese AI labs? #ai #uschina #deepseek #alibaba #tencent #baidu #chinatech #aimodel #tokeneconomics #aistrategy

    58 min

  5. 8 Jun

    Looking Closer to Home: ASEAN Opportunities in a Volatile World

    In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how weakness in US technology stocks, renewed Middle East tensions and rising oil prices are driving investors to reassess regional positioning. As global uncertainty increases, the focus shifts towards domestic growth drivers and markets that can better withstand external volatility. We begin with our Regional Head of Research, Anand Pathmakanthan, who shares his latest ASEAN strategy. He explains why he is OVERWEIGHT on Singapore and Malaysia, UNDERWEIGHT on the Philippines, and discusses opportunities emerging across Indonesia and Thailand. The conversation also highlights key investment themes and conviction stock ideas across the region. Next, we turn to our Economist, Brian Lee, who examines Singapore’s recent macroeconomic strength, including April’s manufacturing growth surge and resilient retail sales data. He also discusses the outlook for growth, inflation and MAS policy for the remainder of the year. Finally, our Analyst, Miaomiao Liu, introduces a new BUY initiation on Elite UK REIT. She discusses the REIT’s attractive dividend yield, defensive characteristics, potential value-unlocking opportunities and the key risks investors should monitor, including GBP and interest rate exposure.

    24 min

  6. 25 May

    Singapore’s AI and Oil Momentum: Key Stock Opportunities

    In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how improving sentiment surrounding a potential US-Iran agreement to reopen the Straits of Hormuz is lifting regional equities and easing pressure on crude oil prices. Against this backdrop, Singapore’s April NODX numbers reached a 14-year high, reinforcing the view that AI and oil-related activity remain two major drivers of the domestic market. We begin with our Analyst, Shaina Mahtani, joins the show to discuss Centurion’s stronger-than-expected 1Q results, the outlook for earnings growth and why the stock continues to stand out despite expectations for some moderation in FY26 earnings growth, supporting SMIDs Analyst, Eric’s BUY view on the stock. Thilan then highlights Technology and SMIDs Analyst Jarick’s continued positive outlook on Frencken following its 1Q results, with the BUY call supported by expectations of a stronger 2H recovery as semiconductor orders ramp up. He notes improving demand from key customers, potential upside from new DUV and EUV product introductions, and better earnings quality as the revenue mix shifts toward higher-margin semiconductor activity. He also discusses ST Engineering’s strong start to the year, with revenue growth across all three segments, margin expansion and a record order book providing strong earnings visibility. Commercial Aerospace remains a key growth driver, while Defence and Public Security continues to provide resilience amid elevated geopolitical uncertainty, supporting REITs Analyst Krishna’s BUY view on the stock. Finally, our Regional Head of TMT Research, Hussaini Saifee, who breaks down the surprise collapse of the Simba-M1 consolidation and what it means for the competitive landscape in Singapore’s telco sector. He also explains why Singtel is increasingly emerging as a diversified AI and infrastructure play despite recent share price weakness, while sharing his latest views on StarHub.

    19 min

  7. 18 May

    Holding Strong: Sea Ltd's Earnings, Safe Haven Flows and Singapore Airlines

    In this episode, our host Ong Seng Yeow, discusses how renewed safe haven demand and shifting global capital flows are influencing Asian markets, even as Singapore corporates continue delivering resilient earnings and strategic growth ambitions. He examines what recent market movements suggest about investor positioning, whether inflows into defensive assets are likely to persist, and the implications for SGD interest rates and regional equity markets. We begin with our Regional Thematic Macroeconomist, Chua Hak Bin, who discusses the broader market backdrop, including signs of safe haven inflows across regional assets, the durability of those flows and whether foreign investor appetite currently appears stronger in bonds or equities. He also outlines what these dynamics could mean for Singapore interest rates and portfolio positioning over the coming quarters. Next, we turn to our Telcos and Internet Analyst, Hussaini Saifee, who breaks down Sea Ltd’s stronger-than-expected earnings performance, which drove the company’s biggest share price rally in nine months. He shares his observations across Shopee, Garena and Monee, highlighting improving monetisation trends, user engagement and fintech expansion. Finally, our Analyst, Eric Ong, discusses the latest developments surrounding Singapore Airlines and the aviation sector. He examines whether travel demand remains resilient, the outlook for jet fuel supply and pricing stability, and the key risks tied to SIA’s continued investment in Air India despite ongoing losses at the carrier. Finally, we close with a special pre-recorded video segment from our SMIDs and Technology Analyst, Jarick Seet, who will share more about AEM Holdings and UMS Integration.

    28 min

  8. 11 May

    Stronger Than Expected: OCBC, Singapore Tech and Market Catalysts

    In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how renewed uncertainty surrounding US-Iran peace negotiations is weighing on global sentiment, even as Singapore’s 1Q results season continues to point toward resilient corporate fundamentals and strong earnings expectations. He outlines the key themes emerging across the banking sector, including rising contributions from wealth management, trading income and AI-driven productivity gains. We begin with our SMIDs and Technology Analyst, Jarick Seet, who explains why improving expectations across the Singapore technology sector continue supporting upside for selected names despite recent share price strength. He discusses Maybank’s higher target prices for Frencken and Venture following recent developments, before sharing what could further catalyse Addvalue Technologies. Thilan then discusses Maybank’s upgrade of OCBC Bank to BUY, highlighting stronger non-interest income growth, accelerating wealth inflows and improving execution under the bank’s “Next Frontier” strategy. He also reviews the broader trends shaping Singapore banks this earnings season, including resilience in asset quality, stronger capital markets activity and growing AI deployment across banking platforms. Finally, our Analyst, Xuan Hao Toh, shares key takeaways from Maybank’s recent corporate day, including management commentary from AEM and construction-related names Ever Glory and Tiong Woon, before we close with fresh technical ideas from our Chart Guy.

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

ASEAN Speaks by Maybank presents conversations with market analysts and thought leaders across Southeast Asia on topics covering equities, fixed income, forex, economics, sustainability, and current affairs that impact regional markets.

Information

  • Creator
    Maybank
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    341
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Maybank
  • Show Website
    ASEAN Speaks

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