Asian markets looking perky this week. Any follow on from today's western rises should see HFEL post a decent weekend NAV.
Asian prospects seem to be improving, according to packaging demand, which is normally a good economic bellwether.
We estimate that Asian demand for containerboard rose 2.2% in 2024, a bit slower than the 3.3% pace in 2023. Economic sluggishness in China due to headwinds from the struggling property market and cautious consumers drove the slower growth. We project growth of 3.9% in 2025 and 4.3% in 2026, assuming an improving economic picture that will support trade, consumption and packaging use. |
2025 growth forecast only reduced 0.1% for tariff disruptions
Indonesia's economy expanded 5.02% yoy in Q4 of 2024, surpassing market estimates of 4.98% and quickening from the slowest rise in a year of 4.95% in Q3...
... For the full year, the economy grew by 5.03%, missing the official target of 5.2% and marking the lowest reading in three years. For 2025, the GDP growth target remains at 5.2%. However, the central bank recently cut its growth forecast for this year to 4.7%-5.5% from 4.8%-5.6%, citing US tariff disruptions. |
XD 6.20p today. |
I would have said so |
Fairly poor pre ex div lift |
Fairly poor pre ex div lift |
Fairly poor pre ex div lift |
HFEL seems to do a (routinely!) good job of tapping the market, ahead of going XD, and while their share price is relatively strong (such as now). Where this goes next may be another matter? |
Japan beats forecasts with a record single month of exports
Exports from Japan rose by 2.8% yoy to a new peak of JPY 9,910.60 billion in December 2024, exceeding market forecasts of 2.3% and pointing to the third straight month of growth...
... Exports grew to Hong Kong (14.2%), Taiwan (17.2%), South Korea (10.9%), India (5.5%), Germany (5.8%), Russia (10.3%), and the EU (0.5%). Sales to the ASEAN countries increased by 7.6%, notably Singapore (27.6%) and Thailand (2.7%). Conversely, sales fell to China (-3.0%), the US (-2.1%), and Australia (-11.9%).
JP225 index has now more than quadrupled in a 13-year bull market. |
lets hope our own communist government is taking note |
The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) on Thursday ramped up support for the nation's struggling equity markets, announcing measures to funnel capital and expecting to see insurers channel at least CNY 100 billion in long-term funds into stocks during H1 of 2025. CSRC head Wu Qing said state-owned and commercial insurers will be encouraged to allocate 30% of their annual new premiums to A-shares. Mutual funds will also be urged to add the tradable market value of their A-share holdings by at least 10% annually over the next three years. The strategy includes measures to guide mutual funds to expand equity under their management, reduce fund sales fees, and promote exchange-traded fund products. On Wednesday, China launched initiatives to boost the amount pension can invest in Chinese listed companies. |
Channels are starting to look very interesting. They suggest excitement before Spring finishes - but will it be up or down? Asia looking stronger month by month but our end getting into such a mess that it's tempting to duck one's head down behind the trench to avoid passing black swans.
free stock charts from uk.advfn.com |
The annual inflation rate in Malaysia stood at 1.7% in December 2024, slightly below market consensus and November's print of 1.8%. This was the lowest reading since January,
CPI 133.1 in July and 133.4 in November so hardly budged at all in recent months, suggesting no more rate rises and possibly opening the door a single cut next year. GDP was 3.7% in 2023 and 4.0% in 2024. Forecasts for 2025 congregate around 4.5-5.0% but the slightly undershooting inflation might improve optimism. |
@davebowler - Despite its undeniable outperformance of HFEL, AAIF is managed by abrdn which isn't a +ve imo |
Trumps tariffs could be a looming disruptor |
It’s actually a slight increase on this quarter last year. On track for full year dividend of 24.80 pence. |
Quarterly dividend maintained at 6.2p, pay date 28th Feb. |
Happily holding both. Diversification is always good. |
AAIF beats HFEL over 3,6 and 12 months and 3 over 3 and 5 years. Still well below NAV too unlike HFEL. Why not move over guys? |
Aleman you are correct most Chinese companies only pay one dividend a year and most are in H2. The good news is they have been boosting dividends quite generously in the past year. I think I did read that many are looking to start paying dividends twice yearly in the future. |
To be honest I thought they had been coming up short for a couple of years. Isnt that why they had a rehash of their holdings and management? Dont want them to let go now they are starting to appear to be getting a grip. In fact wont we find out next week |
They only produced 5.3p revenue (about 1/4 of FY) in H1 last year. The income comes mostly in H2. Somebody may wish to correct my thinking but I thought some Chinese and Asian companies only pay out one dividend per year? |
The key point for me to draw out from that particular RNS, is that so far this quarter they only seem to have accrued 4p revenue, at a point in time where I have been expecting them to declare a dividend of 6.2p or so. Looks like they are going to come up a bit short for the quarter?Best wishes. NSB |
If you start posting daily NAVs Skinny you are going to be a busy lad |
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