When managing a fund, choosing the right benchmark is crucial. Two common approaches are benchmark return and absolute return. Each serves a different purpose and is suited for specific investment […]

The MSCI Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index (-4.9%) severely underperformed the MSCI World Index (-2.0%) in October, as China markets reeled back from their September rally, while a last-day pullback dragged […]

With Trump’s return for a second presidential term, investors should now shift their focus to how to strategically position themselves moving forward. We argue that market performance does not necessarily […]

Budget 2025 builds on the foundations of Budget 2024, showcasing the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s fiscal position. In our latest article, we outlined the key measures from Budget […]

Malaysia’s Budget 2025, themed “Reinvigorating the Economy, Driving Reforms, and Prospering the Rakyat,” reflects a strategic focus on balancing economic growth with fiscal responsibility. The government emphasizes subsidies rationalization, tax […]

The MSCI Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index (+7.5%) blew past the MSCI World Index (+1.7%) mom in September as a slew of much needed policy catalysts finally materialised to aid China […]

The Malaysian market has performed well year-to-date (YTD), with most indices we monitor showing positive returns. The Construction, Utilities, and Property sectors have led this growth, thanks to the implementation […]

Chinese equities performed well until May this year, but then experienced a sharp correction due to weaker-than-expected economic growth, low consumption, challenges in the property market, disappointing PMI figures, and […]

In the rapidly evolving landscape of corporate sustainability, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has emerged as a crucial element of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework. DEI primarily falls […]

The MSCI Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index (+2.1%) lagged the MSCI World Index (+2.5%) mom in August, owing to significant market declines over the month in key Asian economies. Indonesia (+5.7%) […]

Amid global market volatility, characterized by concerns over a potential recession, China’s economic slowdown, and ongoing trade tensions between the East and the West, ASEAN has emerged as a beacon […]

September has historically been a challenging month for investments. Seasonality could be one of the main factors. This year, volatility could be heightened as we anticipate a potential Fed rate […]

As the world grapples with the need to transition to cleaner energy sources, green hydrogen is emerging as a game-changing solution that could revolutionize the way we produce and use […]

There has been significant progress in the key initiatives outlined under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). To recall, the first and second phases of the NETR were launched in […]

The MSCI Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index (-0.2%) remained flat in July, dragged by weak performance in key markets while the MSCI World Index (+1.7%) raced ahead. India (+3.9%) advanced further, […]

Within just a week, the market experienced a significant collapse, causing widespread concern. Investors are scrambling to understand the sudden downturn and its potential long-term effects. We have identified three […]

The political landscape has shifted dramatically as Joe Biden’s withdrawal has led to a surge in support for Vice President Kamala Harris. A recent poll showed Donald Trump leading Harris […]

As the world faces the increasing challenge of climate change, reducing carbon emissions has become a priority for governments, industries, and environmental organizations. One of the key technologies being developed […]

The MSCI Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index (+3.5%) staged a comeback and significantly outperformed the MSCI World Index (+1.9%) in June on account of exceptional performance from Asia Pacific regional winners. […]

As ESG practices continue to improve, many companies are striving to enhance their ESG efforts. Malaysia is no exception, with numerous major corporations, including publicly listed companies (PLC), leading the […]

The energy transition has become increasingly vital on a global scale, with many countries implementing strategies and objectives to reduce their carbon footprints and achieve net-zero emissions. Malaysia has joined […]

The MSCI Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index (+1.6%) greatly underperformed the MSCI World Index (+4.2%) in May, mainly due to US market vigor defying the old adage of “Sell in May […]

The Malaysian market has performed exceptionally well this year, with the KLCI recording nearly a 10% increase as of May 31, 2024. All sectors have posted positive returns so far […]

In line with the nation’s goal towards sustainability, Phillip Capital Management (PCM) has integrated ESG factors that we attest as material and relevant for a company’s financial performance and long-term […]

In 2006, Bursa Malaysia required issuers listed on the Main and ACE Markets to include disclosures of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities or practices in their annual reports. This […]

The MSCI Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index (+0.3%) stagnated in April but notedly outperformed the MSCI World Index (-3.9%) as major markets such as US (-4.2%) and Japan (-4.9%) retreated after […]

Malaysia witnessed a surge in data centre investments recently, with over 800MW capacity projected in the next five years. Based on Frost & Sullivan’s 2020 forecast, the ASEAN DC market […]

After a prolonged stretch of lacklustre performance in the Chinese (CSI 300 Index) and Hong Kong (Hang Seng Index) stock markets spanning three to four years, there was a significant […]

“Sell in May and go away” is a traditional investment saying that suggests investors should sell their stock holdings in May and reinvest in November, based on the historical underperformance […]

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations have grown increasingly vital for investors as central benchmarks in their investment decisions. FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index and FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Shariah Index launched […]

The MSCI Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index (+2.3%) modestly lagged the MSCI World Index (+3.0%), mainly dragged by less-than-ideal performance in China/HK and South East Asia. Taiwan (+7.0%) and South Korea […]

During the first quarter of 2024, resilient economic data propelled global equities, with the MSCI World rising 8.5%. Developed market equities, particularly in the US, Europe and Japan, performed strongly, […]

Malaysia market has been under-appreciated with the KLCI only recording 2 positive returns (in 2017 and 2020) over the past 10 years. This is mainly due to foreign fund selling, […]

In 2021, Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) embarked on a transformative journey towards sustainable investing, setting forth two ambitious sustainable investment objectives. The first target is to achieve a fully […]

In our earlier piece, we discussed how ESG stocks tend to enjoy stronger valuation and profitability, attributed to their adept risk management, innovative operational efficiencies, alignment with regulatory compliance, and […]

The MSCI Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index (+4.3%) slightly grazed past the MSCI World Index (+4.1%) on account of strong market performance from China & Hong Kong. China (+9.4%) & Hong […]

The “Swiftonomics” effect refers to the economic impact generated by Taylor Swift, highlighting her ability to catalyze economic benefits for local communities through specific actions such as her world tour […]

On 15th Feb 2024, four ASEAN stock exchanges namely Bursa Malaysia, the Singapore Exchange (SGX), the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) will be jointly […]

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in January 2024 concluded with the decision to maintain the Fed funds interest rate within the range of 5.25% to 5.50%, as widely […]

The MSCI Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index (-4.8%) tumbled in January, underperforming the MSCI World Index (+1.1%) as weak performances in HK, China and South Korea dragged the former. Japan (+8.4%) […]

Navigating the Challenges of Scope 3 Emissions Asia’s strategic role in the global supply chain is underscored by its historical access to cost-effective labour, a robust manufacturing infrastructure, close proximity […]

In 2023, Malaysia experienced significant developments in the realm of ESG (environmental, social, and governance). Starting with the launch of Bursa Malaysia’s Bursa Carbon Exchange (BCX) in March and the […]

Welcome to the year of Wood Dragon! Chinese Astrology follows a 12-year recurring cycle, where each year is symbolised by an animal, forming the 12 zodiac signs. Interestingly, each zodiac […]

Despite the strong global market rally in 2023, the FBMKLCI or KLCI underperformed most of the regional markets, down -2.7% in 2023 (Figure 1). This is mainly due to foreign […]

Global markets sustained robust momentum in December, buoyed by the moderation of US inflation data. This development fuelled market expectations for a pause in the rate hike cycle in 2024 […]

Building upon the article released last week, we are zooming into five themes that investors should closely monitor in 2024. Theme 1: Peaking interest rates bode well with equities; Emerging […]

Farewell, 2023, and Greetings to 2024! In 2023, notable events unfolded, such as the Regional Banking Crisis in March and the subsequent suspension of the US Debt Ceiling in late […]

Development in ESG is ever-evolving, staying current to align with global developments. In Malaysia, from National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) to the Budget 2024, there is a surge of initiatives […]

Global markets have rebounded strongly in November with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield stabilising around the 4.40% range after hitting 5% a month ago, reflecting a shift in market expectations […]

  The Malaysian bond and sukuk market are strategically positioned to offer essential financing for productive and socially responsible projects. Malaysia has pioneered the issuance of Green SRI Sukuk since […]

In November’s FOMC meeting, the Fed maintained the FFR at 5.25-5.50%. US Treasuries faced heavy losses in October, with the 10Y UST hitting 5.00% but have now retreated to 4.39% […]

While ESG reporting is frequently associated with listed companies, it is important to recognise the increasing awareness that ESG considerations are pertinent to businesses regardless of the sizes, including Small […]

Global markets have remained weak throughout October, dented by concerns about higher interest rate, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield briefly exceeding 5% after 16 years. Investors remain cautious due […]

The continuous rain in Malaysia has become quite a regular affair lately. Just half an hour of rain and we are already talking about potential flash floods. Malaysia’s susceptibility to […]

Markets are playing catch-up to the new regime with the bond yields have surged to 16-year highs. The markets now believe central banks would not swiftly relax policies due to […]

In Budget 2024, the Malaysian government continues its dedicated efforts towards sustainable development and energy transition, implementing a range of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Certainly, there are numerous […]

Global markets remained weak throughout September, with MSCI World declining -4.6% due to challenges in the US markets, including labour union strikes and government shutdown fears. In addition to that, […]

In Morgan Stanley’s most recent report “Sustainable Reality“, it is highlighted that during the first half of 2023, sustainable funds returned to their historical trend of surpassing traditional funds in […]

Malaysia’s equity market has shown increased resilience following the state election. Foreign investors were net buying Malaysia equities, with net inflows of RM1.4bn in July, RM140.8mn in August and RM270.3mn […]

In our previous article, we discussed the first stage of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which the government introduced on July 27, 2023. The unveiling of the second phase […]

Overview On September 1st, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim introduced the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), an industrial policy for the manufacturing and manufacturing-related services sectors spanning seven years […]

When investors are interested in ESG-themed (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investments, there are several sectors they can consider for their investments. These sectors have gained attention due to their strong […]

In our previous article, we have explored Malaysia’s government commitments towards attaining environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. In fact, the government aims to deliver on renewable energy (RE) capacity […]

With Country Garden missing recent debt payments, investors have raised concerns about the recovery in the housing market and the broader economy. Not only that, July saw a widespread weakening […]

The government has recently introduced the first phase of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). This roadmap outlines the strategy to expedite the nation’s shift from a conventional fossil fuel-driven […]

The Fed raised the Fed funds rate (FFR) by 25bps to 5.25%-5.50% in July’s FOMC meeting. However, Fed Chair Powell did not give a clear indication that the additional rate […]

Malaysia is dedicated to reinforcing its commitment towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by as early as 2050. The country possesses a well-defined plan and a comprehensive ecosystem, along with abundant […]

In 2023, the stock market has been dominated by a select group of mega-cap US tech companies, commonly referred to as the “magnificent 7.” These companies include Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, […]

Emotions play a significant role in our decision-making processes, and when it comes to investing, they can have a profound impact on our ability to make rational choices. Emotions such […]

Consumer attitudes have undergone a noticeable transformation in recent years, as an increasing number of individuals actively prioritise sustainable and socially responsible products and services. This shift signifies a growing […]

As widely expected, the Fed paused its hiking campaign in June, However, according to the Fed’s Dot Plot projections, the interest rates may potentially reach as high as 5.6% before […]

In recent years, the world has witnessed a growing emphasis on sustainable practices across various industries. One notable area experiencing this paradigm shift is the automotive industry, which is rapidly […]

The Defensive Nature of Dividend Investing: A Strategy for Uncertain Times (Part 2.0) During times of weak market conditions, investors encounter challenges in remaining invested. Taking Malaysia market as example, […]

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, companies are increasingly recognising the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). This involves fostering a corporate culture that places emphasis on certain elements […]

Global markets traded mixed in May as investors watched for signs of progress in the US debt ceiling negotiations ahead of the June 1 deadline. To recall, the debt ceiling […]

According to Morningstar Direct’s “Q1 2023 Review on Global Sustainable Fund Flows”, global sustainable funds attracted USD 29 billion of net inflow in the first quarter of 2023, down from […]

According to a recent report by MSCI Inc., the percentage of public companies disclosing Scope 3 emissions has risen to 35%, a 5% increase since October last year. Additionally, almost […]

Equities and bonds are commonly favoured by many investors, while commodities are often overlooked as an investment option. This may be due to various reasons, including a lack of understanding […]

Although the world economy is expected to face a challenging year with global growth decelerating and inflation remaining high and the ongoing war in Ukraine, and banking strains in the […]

  Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters have gained significant importance for both corporations and investors in the recent years. Corporations are facing mounting pressure to take accountability for their […]

Fixed income markets experienced a sharp selloff in 2022, but this has led to improved yields and valuations. As attention shifts from inflation to slowing growth and the potential for […]

The recent upheaval in the global banking industry has triggered a new black swan to global growth outlook. As a result, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its previous […]

What is Quality Investing? Investors who advocate a quality approach to investing prefer high-quality companies that generate free cash flow and a reasonable return on equity. Aside from that, investors […]

Large-cap stocks are stocks of established, well-known companies with high market capitalisation. These companies have a proven business model, a stable earnings outlook, and a long operating history. They typically […]

The Fed’s Dilemma At the March policy meeting, the Fed’s FOMC raised the Fed Funds Rate (FFR) by 25bps to 4.75-5.00%, in line with market forecasts. The terminal rate on […]

There are multiple factors that have contributed to sustainability becoming a major priority. The demand from investors and financial markets for a robust environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy and […]

When all the good stuff happens at once, it can really hit your wallet where it hurts! You’ve got your friend’s wedding, the school reopening, a family trip, and to […]

Dividend investing can be a powerful tool for generating passive income and building long-term wealth. In our previous article, we explored how dividend investing can be an effective strategy during […]

Over the past 13 years, growth stocks have had a favourable environment, which was accelerated by the increased demand for online services, digital entertainment, and technology that facilitated remote work […]

Emotions can play a crucial role in investment decision making among investors. Most investors tend to base their decisions on their emotional reactions to numerous market circumstances, which might result […]

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investing, sometimes referred to as Sustainable Investing or Socially Responsible Investing, is an investment style which incorporates sustainability factors when making investment decisions alongside traditional […]

An investment style is simply the approach that investors take when assembling a portfolio of assets to meet their investment objectives. Investment styles can be divided and subdivided into a […]

A glimmer of hope emerged in January after the market’s year-long gloom as inflation slowed, interest rates dropped, China reopened, and earnings came in better than feared. Most global equity […]

The likelihood of recession has increased in various regions, notably the developed markets (DM), as a result of higher inflation, soaring energy prices, and rising interest rates. Central bank policies […]

We all know 2022 hasn’t been kind to global investors with both equities and bonds having simultaneously suffered negative returns. The key question will be whether the bears strike back […]

Do you have short term or long term goals in life, but you always find it difficult to achieve them? It’s okay for us to fall short of our goals […]

Do you ever find your finances are in a constant state of change? One minute you are juggling with repaying your education loans and the next minute you are planning […]

* PhillipCapital Malaysia has recently conducted a quick poll on Instagram over 100 respondents to study the financial behaviour of individuals in Malaysia. Do you ever feel like you don’t […]