The Week in Markets – Staying on the Sidelines

In this episode of the week in markets, Equities Research Analyst Jen-Ai Chua discusses the progress made in resolving US debt ceiling issues, and key US economic data releases this week. Interest rate outlook remains murky as dovish comments from the May FOMC minutes are mitigated by stickier PCE inflation in the latest UMich survey. Meanwhile, the rally in AI stocks, led by Nvidia’s mind-blowing revenue guidance, shows no sign of abating, driving the NASDAQ’s best start to the year (relative to the Dow) and outperformance in the tech heavy North Asian markets of Korea and Taiwan. 

Earnings outlook for Asia as a whole is, however, muted, on single digit cuts to 2023E earnings post the Q1 results season. We expect investors to remain on the sidelines until the FOMC meeting on 13-14 June.