Investors' appetite for risk rose on the back of prospects for an economic recovery as lockdown restrictions were relaxed, and optimism for a coronavirus vaccine. But pressure soon mounted after President Trump escalated his rhetoric against China over the pandemic. Global equity markets ended the week mixed, whilst Oil price continued to surge for the 4th consecutive week.

 

In the news

  • Global market sentiment remained buoyed by optimism that pharmaceutical companies were closer to finding a vaccine for the pandemic, and more businesses reopening despite global infection cases rising above 5.4 million.  
  • Equity markets pushed higher at the start of the week, allowing the US S&P 500 Index to hit its highest level since March 6 before being dragged down by mounting uncertainties surrounding the US-China relation.
  • China-based companies were seen to be the target of the relationship fallout. Tighter restrictions were slapped on telco giant, Huawei, on the use of US technology. Thereafter, the US Senate approved a legislation that could lead these companies from being disqualified to trade on U.S. stock exchanges. 
  • Chaos arose again in Hong Kong after China announced plan to impose a national security law. The announcement led to 180 people being arrested as teargas, pepper spray and water cannons were used on rioters.  
  • Technology focused names remained resilient with the NYSE FANG+ Index rising 4.1% in MYR term over the week. The 0830EA, which aims to provide a 2 times daily exposure to the NYSE FANG+ Index benefited from the performance and gained 5.3% itself.
  • China opened its annual National People’s Congress on Friday, with little surprises being reported by China’s Premier Li Keqiang.  
  • Policymakers were however, provided with more flexibility as the official growth target was scrapped in favour of prioritising labour market stabilisation, and curbing poverty. 
  • Premier Li, did also reiterate China’s commitment to fulfilling its Phase 1 trade deal with the US, and keeping the Renminbi stable.
  • Asian markets closed weaker last week, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index tumbling -3.4%, and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index sliding -2.4% in MYR terms. The 0833EA, which aims to provide the reverse daily performance of the HSCEI, gained 2.5% over the same period. 
  • After falling to historical lows, Oil price have made a comeback, spiking to USD 33.6 per barrel at the end of last week. It was the 4th consecutive weekly rise for Oil.
  • Gold price slid marginally lower last week after the spike to sentiment nudged investors back into risk assets. 

 

In other economic news

  • US data remained weak, but promise of vaccine and more intervention by US Fed provided hope:
    • Employment data remained weak with another 2.4 million filing for unemployment benefits. Trailing nine-week total now at nearly 39 million. 
    • News that Modena Therapeutics had encouraging early test results for a possible coronavirus vaccine pushed equity markets higher in early week. 
    • With the less than encouraging data, US Fed boosted sentiment stating there were “no limits to what we can do”, indicating that there may be other available tools to address the slowing economy.

  • Business activities bounced-off in Eurozone as coronavirus lockdowns were relaxed:
    • Countries began to emerge from lockdown with Italy, Spain, and Greece to restart in June. 
    • Cross border rules will be set to minimise infection risks.
    • UK inflation rate tumbles to below 1% amid coronavirus disruption – its weakest since 2016. 

  • Malaysia’s economic data slows, but stock trading activity spikes:
    • Consumer Price Index (CPI) dropped 2.9% in April, the sharpest drop in 50 years.    
    • All eyes are on companies’ quarterly reporting, which will serve as indication of the pandemic's impact.
    • Thus far, 40% of the listed companies had released their report, with 55% reporting earnings decline.

 

ETF strategies at TradePlus

  • To Hedge:
    • 0828EA – a Gold-backed ETF widely used as a storage of value in times of market uncertainty.
    • 0833EA – a HSCEI Inverse strategy that helps hedge your portfolio against weakness from the performance of China companies listed on the HKex.
    • 0831EA – the NYSE FANG+ Inverse strategy that hedges against the performance of tech stocks listed in the US.
  • To Add Position:
    • 0829EA / 0829EB – a strategy that gives investors exposure into the consumer focused sector through China companies listed in HK, and the US.
    • 0832EA – a 2X leveraged strategy on the HSCEI that captures 2 times the performance of China companies listed on the HKex.
    • 0830EA – a 2X leveraged strategy on the NYSE FANG+ that captures 2 times the performance of US listed tech stocks.

 

A look at the performance of the TradePlus ETFs, and major global indices

 

 

Learn more about TradePlus ETFs

www.tradeplus.com.my
www.facebook.com/AHAMCapital/
#ahamcapital
+(60) 12 606 8685
TradePlus ETF

 


Disclaimer: This article has been prepared by AHAM Asset Management Berhad (“AHAM Capital”) specific for its use, a specific target audience, and for discussion purposes only. All information contained within this presentation belongs to AHAM Capital and may not be copied, distributed or otherwise disseminated in whole or in part without written consent of AHAM Capital. The information contained in this presentation may include, but is not limited to opinions, analysis, forecasts, projections and expectations (collectively referred to as “Opinions”). Such information has been obtained from various sources including those in the public domain, are merely expressions of belief. Although this presentation has been prepared on the basis of information and/or Opinions that are believed to be correct at the time the presentation was prepared, AHAM Capital makes no expressed or implied warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of any such information and/or Opinions. As with any forms of financial products, the financial product mentioned herein (if any) carries with it various risks. Although attempts have been made to disclose all possible risks involved, the financial product may still be subject to inherent risk that may arise beyond our reasonable contemplation. The financial product may be wholly unsuited for you, if you are adverse to the risk arising out of and/or in connection with the financial product. AHAM Capital is not acting as an advisor or agent to any person to whom this presentation is directed. Such persons must make their own independent assessments of the contents of this presentation, should not treat such content as advice relating to legal, accounting, taxation or investment matters and should consult their own advisers. AHAM Capital and its affiliates may act as a principal and agent in any transaction contemplated by this presentation, or any other transaction connected with any such transaction, and may as a result earn brokerage, commission or other income. Nothing in this presentation is intended to be, or should be construed as an offer to buy or sell, or invitation to subscribe for, any securities. Neither AHAM Capital nor any of its directors, employees or representatives are to have any liability (including liability to any person by reason of negligence or negligent misstatement) from any statement, opinion, information or matter (expressed or implied) arising out of, contained in or derived from or any omission from this presentation, except liability under statute that cannot be excluded.

Warning Statement: A copy of the Prospectus / Supplemental Prospectus for the TradePlus Shariah Gold Tracker and TradePlus S&P New China Tracker, as well as the Master Prospectus for the TradePlus NYSE® FANG+ Daily (2x) Leveraged Tracker, TradePlus NYSE® FANG+ Daily (-1x) Inverse Tracker, TradePlus HSCEI Daily (2x) Leveraged Tracker and TradePlus HSCEI Daily (-1x) Inverse Tracker (collectively known as the “TradePlus L&I ETFs”) can be obtained at Affin Hwang Asset Management's (“AHAM Capital”) website at www.tradeplus.com.my. Investors are advised to read and understand the contents of the Prospectus dated 28 November 2017 and Supplemental Prospectus dated 2 July 2019 (for TradePlus Shariah Gold Tracker), and Prospectus dated 15 January 2019 and Supplemental Prospectus dated 2 July 2019 (for TradePlus S&P New China Tracker), as well as the Master Prospectus dated 26 November 2019 (for the TradePlus L&I ETFs) before investing. There are fees and charges involved when investing in the funds stated herein. Investors are advised to consider and compare the fees and charges as well of the risks carefully before investing. Investors should make their own assessment of the risks involved in investing and should seek professional advice, where necessary. The price of units and distribution payable, if any, may go down as well as up and past performance of the funds should not be taken as indicative of their future performance. SC has not reviewed this material and takes no responsibilities for the contents of this material and expressly disclaims all liability, however arising from this material.

Licensing Disclosure Statement & Conditions: The "S&P New China Ex A-Shares Index" is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and has been licensed for use by Affin Hwang Asset Management Bhd. Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”) and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Affin Hwang Asset Management Bhd. TradePlus S&P New China Tracker is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P New China Ex A-Shares Index.

Licensing Disclosure Statement & Conditions: Source ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE Data”), is used with permission. “NYSE® FANG+™” is a service/trade mark of ICE Data Indices, LLC or its affiliates and has been licensed, along with the NYSE® FANG+™ Daily 2X Leveraged Index and NYSE® FANG+™ Daily 1x Inverse Index (“Indices”) for use by Affin Hwang Asset Management Berhad in connection with the TradePlus NYSE® FANG+™ Daily (2x) Leveraged Tracker and the TradePlus NYSE® FANG+™ Daily (-1x) Inverse Tracker (the “Product”). Neither Affin Hwang Asset Management Berhad nor the Product, as applicable, is sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by ICE Data Indices, LLC, its affiliates or its Third Party Suppliers (“ICE Data and its Suppliers”). ICE Data and its Suppliers make no representations or warranties regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally, in the Product particularly, or the ability of the Index to track general stock market performance. ICE Data’s only relationship to Affin Hwang Asset Management Berhad (“Licensee”) is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names and the Index or components thereof. The Index is determined, composed and calculated by ICE Data without regard to the Licensee or the Product or its holders. ICE Data has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the holder of the Product into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. ICE Data is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the Product to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Product is to be priced, sold, purchased, or redeemed. Except for certain custom index calculation services, all information provided by ICE Data is general in nature and not tailored to the needs of Licensee or any other person, entity or group of persons. ICE Data has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the Product. ICE Data is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within an index is not a recommendation by ICE Data to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice. 

ICE DATA AND ITS SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS AND/OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, INCLUDING THE INDICES, INDEX DATA AND ANY INFORMATION INCLUDED IN, RELATED TO, OR DERIVED THEREFROM (“INDEX DATA”). ICE DATA AND ITS SUPPLIERS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INDICES AND THE INDEX DATA, WHICH ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS AND YOUR USE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.