SINGAPORE (Feb 1): Bank of Singapore had been successful in predicting the trends in the equity markets in 2016, but concedes that the uncertainties from Donald Trump’s administration has made the job of making accurate market predictions far more difficult in 2017 than in past years.
According to BoS’ investment strategist James Cheo, a good scenario would be where Trump’s fiscal thrust and deregulation added to the US’ current financial situation. On the other hand, a negative scenario would occur if Trump’s fiscal policies led to inflation outpacing growth.
WASHINGTON (Feb 1): A top economic adviser to US President Donald Trump bashed Germany for exploiting an undervalued euro to take advantage of its trading partners, the Financial Times reported Tuesday.
The public rebuke of a major trading partner is the latest example of the brash tactics that have become a feature of the new US administration, with Mr Trump himself using public attacks and Twitter to criticise businesses and allies, including Mexico.
SINGAPORE (Jan 26): Barely a week in office and US President Donald Trump has quickly gotten down to fulfilling the promises he has made to his voters, ripping up the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, ordering the building of the Mexican border wall and starting a crackdown on immigration.
What is clear is that in the months to come there will be more seismic changes in US policies on trade, security alliances, energy and the climate and many of these will cause ructions in Asia.
SINGAPORE (Jan 10): Bank of Singapore (BoS) Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Johan Jooste is urging investors to adopt a cautious stance going into 2017, going “underweight” on risk assets and “overweight” in cash.
“The key to the position is more to be able to take advantage of the opportunities that will almost surely come along,” explains Jooste in a weekly report on Tuesday.
SINGAPORE (Dec 20): Trump’s reflationary policies are unlikely to reveal their full impact within the year, but his policies – and the expectation of them – will be central to global developments next year, says Adam Slater, lead economist at Oxford Economics.
According to Slater, many of the factors underpinning the relatively slow growth of the world economy since the global financial crisis remain in place. As a result, the world growth outlook for 2017 remains one of only modest expansion.
SYDNEY (Dec 19): For investors in Japan’s markets this year, it’s been a case of one shock after the next in a pattern that might have prepared them well for the era of Donald Trump and his reputation for the unexpected.
SINGAPORE (Dec 5): The United States' economy is expected to grow from 1.6% in 2016 to 2.3% and 2.7% in 2017 and 2018 respectively, driven by tax cuts and higher government spending, according to forecasts by HSBC.
The Federal Reserve is also expected to hike rates more frequently and more quickly for the next two years, but Asean may see little impact from it.
SINGAPORE (Nov 17): Most commodities are denominated in, and therefore pegged to, the US dollar but these days the Chinese yuan is starting to have as much influence on prices.
While there were fundamental triggers behind the recent spike and drop in raw materials, it's becoming clear that Chinese trading was among the main drivers. Investors in the northeastern city of Dalian have been piling back into commodities in a replay of what happened earlier this year. That's partly because they're seeking to protect their global purchasing power as the Chinese currency loses value.
SINGAPORE (Nov 15): Donald Trump's presidency will affect the Singapore property market in three ways, says JP Morgan in a recent report.
According to lead analyst, Brandon Lee, these are likely to benefit Singapore's property developers, but will work against the favour of the city state's REITs.
SINGAPORE (Nov 10): The uncertainties surrounding the future of the US economy and political outlook following Trump’s victory have cast a long shadow over emerging markets, with the perception that China will be the most vulnerable if he follows through with this 45% tariff proposal for imports from the country.
Although HSBC believes that it might not be all doom and gloom for China, “we, however, would like to point out that aggressive lose-lose policy like this could be blocked or toned down by the US Congress,” says Steven Sun, head of China Equity Strategy, HSBC.
