On Malaysia & world economy; Property outlook Malaysia 2015

transformation_malaysia

Malaysia

  • Currency: RM3.6490 to USD1 (strongest since Mar 6)
  • Equities: KLCI best performer in Asian markets up 1% (mainly GENTING & TENAGA – new Track 3B project expected)
  • Plantation: sector worsens with reserves still at high levels & Indonesia having record palm oil reserves
  • 1MDB: still garnering attention. Some quarters including BNM downplaying impact.
  • Penang: 1st woman mayor Datuk Patahiyah Ismail after (re)gaining city status

 

World Economy

  • US: Housing market declines; Feds to only raise rates after labor market further improves & medium-term inflation reaches above 2%
  • Germany: Improved consumer sentiments come after Euro Central Bank quantitative easing announcement
  • Japan: Bank of Japan (BoJ) maintain monetary policy & expect moderate recovery
  • India: Wholesale Prices Index (WPI) decline due to fuel & power inflation
  • Indonesia: 5th consecutive month exports decline (mainly non-oil/gas exports)
  • Singapore: Non-oil domestic exports significant drop in Feb by -9.7%

 

Property

  • Slow for properties above 500k range (especially luxury developments above 1m)
  • But value buys available & being snapped up quite fast. If you have property you must dispose off, best to do it fast.
  • More motivated sellers as some exiting market & DIBS properties reaching completion.
  • Higher end properties may be better adopt hold (rent out/stay) & future flipping (selling) strategy
  • Prices expect stagnant due to forces affecting both ways (GST, developers, developments/govt connectivity plans, motivated sellers)
  • Investment general suggestions: Value buys. Good rental properties.

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