Articles & Commentaries

It would be an understatement to say that 2020 was a year that was full of ups and downs. As we kick started the year, the coronavirus had just been discovered in Wuhan, China and quickly spread across the globe, putting it into a total lockdown as we battled against the worst pandemic in a century in a matter of ...

After much anticipation, China released their 3rd quarter GDP numbers. The country saw its economy expand by 4.9% YoY in 3Q2020, a steady and continued growth from the 3.2% seen in 2Q2020. While most other economies look on in envy (and while trying desperately to control the spread of the virus), China is steadily cruising ahead and enjoying a broad-based ...

While investors shift in and out of the equity market in an attempt to participate in the rising momentum, one asset class that has quietly outpaced most major equity indices in Gold. Remaining precious amidst the ongoing uncertainties that loom over global economies, Gold price has steadily crept higher this year.

The race for returns has seen investors rushing into Gold as global financial markets face a never-ending flood of news that suggests we will be in this unprecedented environment for much longer than expected...

Momentum investing has gained traction amongst investors as a strategy to capitalise on prevailing market trends to ride the market's natural upward momentum. It typically involves going long on equities and investing based on technical indicators that measure momentum such as moving averages and price signals. These steps would involve comprehensive and detailed research which some investors may not have ...

Asia Pacific's real estate investment trusts (REITs) are expected to outperform the broader market on their dividend prospects as economies reopen. According to a recent report by Goldman Sachs published in June, the relative stability and higher visibility of dividends in the REIT sector has helped it outperform the overall market during periods of rate cuts and slow economic growth. ...

If the US and China were friends on Facebook, their relationship would likely be described as "It's Complicated" at best. Ties between the two economic giants have been rift since President Trump took to the White House as continuous threats drove a wedge between the two. What started as threats on trade tariffs have escalated to condemnation by the US ...

Smart beta exchange traded funds (ETF) have gained increasing prominence amongst investors by combining the best of both active and passive strategies.

Technology has started to play an even bigger role in our daily lives as we venture into a new normal. The recent pandemic have thought us that we can remain connected with each other despite being apart as social distancing takes priority in the quest of human survival.

It hasn't been an easy for global financial markets in recent months as lockdown measures push economies to a halt. After emerging from its 11-week lockdown, China had the head start of restarting its economy, and is said to be seeing its manufacturing sector back at 80% capacity. But with containment measures imposed outside of China, the global supply chain ...

Gold price has broken its 7-year high as market risks continue to loom over global financial markets. As equity markets have rejoiced over the re-opening of segments within the global economy, concerns of a 2nd wave lurks in the shadows. Gold ETFs have been seeing a steady stream of inflows as investors cushion their portfolio with Gold exposure amidst the ...

In April, many investors were caught by surprise on the price movement of the United States Oil Fund ("USO"), which is an exchange-traded fund ("ETF") that seeks to track the West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil. A myriad of investors flooded this ETF as a means to gain exposure to oil...

After the movement control order ("MCO") was put in place on the 18th of March, many of us are now having to accustom ourselves to a new environment. As we enter the 4th week of the MCO, have you realised how reliant you have become on technology?

Many of us wonder if this pandemic outbreak of Covid-19 would result in a recession and a continued sell-down in the markets. The markets have already turned bearish when the S&P, Dow and the other major markets dropped 20% from its peak. The sharp sell-off was the fastest ever in Wall Street history. From its pea on 19 Feb 2020, ...

Investors have been thrown into a vortex of uncertainties since we started the year of the Metal Rat. There was barely any time to rejoice from the achievement of finally signalling the US-China phase 1 trade deal when news of the Coronavirus outbreak hit us...

Ever wonder how the ETFs in Malaysia performed? Read on to find out which ETFs were the most active and performed well last week.

Have you seen the performance of the NYSE FANG Index? The Index, which tracks the performance of 10 of the most renown tech-related companies listed on the US stock exchange, has recorded impressive returns since the start of the year - leaving its peers in the dust.

Ever wonder how the ETFs in Malaysia performed? Read on to find out which ETFs were the most active and performed well last week.

China's economy is shifting from being primarily focused on investment and manufacturing to a consumption- and services-driven market. In this paper (as prepared by S&P Dow Jones Indices), we use the S&P New China Sectors Index to analyse China's growing economic sectors and examine their equity, fundamental, and price performance characteristics.

Having a smartphone in hand, or being connected to the internet has never been more relevant than in the era we live in today. The release of the latest smartphone, or the unveiling of the newest online retail platform has taken over the lustre of opening ceremonies of brick and mortar stores. Tech advancement have led to the mushrooming ...

We started the year with confidence that global financial markets were set for an upward trajectory this year after signs that key markets were going to lead the pack. Going into the final weeks of the year, markets seem as uncertain as it did this time last year.

Two new Exchange-Traded Fund ("ETF") strategies will soon be introduced on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia; the leveraged, and inverse strategies. These strategies will provide an avenue for investors to either double their investment exposure into an index through a (2x) Leveraged ETF, or gain the reverse (inverse) performance of the index through a (-1x) Inverse ETF.

Investing in Chinese companies have not been easy over the past 3 months amidst the unresolved trade tension and the on-going protest in Hong Kong. The New China Economy which are made up of sectors such as technology, consumer discretionary, healthcare, are outperforming China of old (sectors such as financials, utilities, manufacturing).

There has been no clear sight of the dust settling from uncertainties that global financial markets continue to grapple with. Trade talks between the US and China are still on-going, although the latest round of additional tariffs that President Trump tweeted about has been delayed.

As anticipated, the US Fed slashed its rates by 0.25% in July, marking its 1st rate cut since the financial crisis in 2008. Despite encouraging economic data flowing out of the US, the Feds Chairman, Jerome Powell cited the move as an "insurance against downside risk". The move was seen as a defensive one, given the current sluggish ...

China released its 2nd quarter GDP results at 6.2%. The 6.2% was its weakest in almost 30-years, but given the current landscape, it was within estimates. Markets recovered the same day the data was released as underlying data points showed signs of improvement.

Sell in May and go away has never been more relevant as of late. Global financial markets took a hit after President Trump raised the stakes and announced more tariffs to be imposed on China imports, citing trade talks to be moving along too slowly for his liking.

There has been much talk about China government's shift of focus away from its manufacturing-centric economy towards one that is consumption-centric. Concentration is now turned towards its massive population, as well as its rising middle-class. Having built its reputation as the go-to country for manufacturing during its developing stage, we are now witnessing a transition towards the service and ...

Consumption remains a key performance driver for the Chinese market, where tech and consumer-related stocks have continued to trend higher over the quarter. Here's a snapshot of how the New China Economy faired in 1Q2019.

In line with a more sustainable growth pace, China had recently guided a lower GDP range for 2019

Updates on TradePlus S&P New China Tracker

After a slow start for Gold in 2018, tensions and uncertainties drove prices higher in the 2nd half to eke out a 1.2% gain (in MYR terms) for the year. We started the year on a high note, with strong investors' confidence leading investors to stay focused on riskier assets.

The meteoric rise of China as an economic powerhouse over the past half century is nothing short of a remarkable story. Through the gradual liberalisation of its economy since the 1970s, China has successfully steered itself from being one of the world's poorest nations to its second-largest economy today.

Short-term global headwinds present long-term investment opportunities in Gold

Global financial markets kick-started 2018 with much enthusiasm - where the synchronised and broad-based expansion seen from the year before seemingly showed further room to run...

Against a benign economic backdrop of moderate inflation, but also dramatic headlines stemming from escalating tensions in North Korea, more missteps in Trump's administration and terror attacks in Europe - we've seen a collective flight to safety by investors amidst rising geopolitical risks which has chilled stock markets.

Exchange traded funds (ETF) are unit trust funds that are listed & traded on a stock exchange. They are open-ended, index tracking funds which invest in a basket of securities (eg. stocks, bonds, commodities, etc.) to mirror the performance of the index that it tracks.

Decided to add some gold exposure into your portfolio but not sure where to begin? Let us explore some of the common ways where one can gain a piece of royalty!

From its usage as a medium to facilitate commerce in ancient times to being keepsake jewelleries for royalties and the affluent - gold has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in economies throughout the millenniums. Widely dubbed as a unique asset of wealth and value, its applications today are just as relevant for investors as it is for the man on ...

With the exception of death and taxes, it is often mentioned that nothing else in this world offers permanency - and the same can be said for the investment realm. The rise and fall of markets have been very much evident throughout the decades, and we've seen bulls turn into bears without the slightest hint. Hence the reason why market ...

Having stood against the test of time, gold has been interwoven into society as a unique asset of wealth and value. Today, it has become an essential piece of a diversified investment portfolio and is widely considered as an elective wealth preservation tool especially during adverse and uncertain market conditions.

The active versus passive debate has played out across numerous investment circuits globally, and whilst proponents for each strategy have strong arguments for either approach - the debate still rages on.

To hedge or not to hedge? That's probably the question on the minds of most investors, as they look outwards for their investments and seek to add to their allocation overseas.

Having too much choice can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it presents more options for consumers, but the downside is that it can also be overwhelming for some, with a whole plethora of options to choose from - and this often leads to the consumer then making no choice at all.

"Never place all your eggs in a single basket" is probably one of the most commonly used and thrown-about phrases in various financial commentaries and articles. Nonetheless, although the investment realm has vastly expanded over the years, the advice still holds true and is applicable even till today.