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☆ Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong tests positive for Covid
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore's Prime Minister, said Monday he has tested positive for Covid-19 after recently returning from state visits to South Africa and Kenya. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has tested positive for Covid-19, days after returning from official visits to South Africa and Kenya. "I am generally feeling ok but my doctors have advised me to self-isolate until I am asymptomatic," Lee said Monday in a Facebook post. Lee is 71-years-old and has been serving as prime minister of the Southeast Asian city-state since 2004. He was in South Africa and Kenya May 14-19, according to Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

☆ Singapore firms scramble to soften blow of soaring rent costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

But with private housing rents in Singapore maintaining the scorching pace of gains in 2023, those steps are likely falling short, forcing expatriate workers to even consider leaving the city for good. An exodus of foreign talent due to unaffordable housing costs would be a setback to Singapore in fulfilling its ambitions of becoming a technological and innovations hub. EXPAT WOESRecruitment companies said most expats in Singapore do not get housing allowances as companies are controlling their costs amid an uncertain global economy. That is cold comfort for Briton Natalie, who has been living in Singapore for 15 years and is facing a S$3,200 increment in monthly rent. ($1 = 1.3274 Singapore dollars)Reporting by Chen Lin in Singapore; Editing by Xinghui Kok and Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. issues guidelines on defending Philippines from South China Sea attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Karen Lema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The guidelines said the bilateral treaty commitments would be invoked if either is attacked specifically in the South China Sea and also if coast guard vessels were the target. 'WARNING' TO CHINAThe South China Sea, a waterway vital to global trade, has become a major flashpoint in the increasingly testy relationship between China and the United States. China's foreign ministry on Thursday said it opposed the use of bilateral defence treaties to interfere in the South China Sea, which "should not be a hunting ground for external forces". The guidelines were released during visit to Washington this week by Marcos, which included talks with counterpart Joe Biden. Marcos also met Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who told him "we will always have your back, in the South China Sea or elsewhere in the region."

☆ Morgan Stanley says HSBC is a 'top pick' despite the bank's shareholder troubles
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But Morgan Stanley is sticking to its bullish stance on the U.K.-based bank, calling HSBC its "top pick" in the sector. Morgan Stanley is looking past that noise. Morgan Stanley expects HSBC to deliver "accelerating" capital returns, with 50% of 202 earnings paid out in dividends and share buybacks amounting to $3 billion in 2023. Further out, we see not only the 50% dividend payouts, but annual share buybacks of $8 billion in 2024/25," according to Morgan Stanley. Shares of HSBC are up nearly 16% this year, but Morgan Stanley expects more upside ahead.

☆ UBS says this semiconductor stock is a ‘buy’ — and doubles its price target
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

UBS is upgrading Taiwanese foundry United Microelectronics from "neutral" to "buy." The Swiss investment bank raised its price target on the stock from 37 Taiwan dollars ($1.20) to NT$75, representing a potential upside of nearly 50% from its closing price on Wednesday. UMC's year-to-date rerating reflects the "increasing optimism" about the semiconductor industry's recovery and the greater profitability of the stock, the analysts said. UBS isn't the only bull UBS isn't the only bank bullish on United Microelectronics. In a note on April 19, the bank maintained its "outperform" rating on the stock and raised its price target on the stock to NT$60.

☆ Bank of America is doubling down on a lesser-known chip stock — and gives it 50% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Nvidia has undoubtedly been one of the sector's biggest winners this year, but Bank of America is doubling down on a lesser-known chip stock. That's significantly higher than the average potential upside of 16.1% given by analysts covering the stock, according to FactSet data. Bank of America described the firm as a "top pick" among European auto semiconductors and said the stock remains cheaper than its peers. The bank said it believes concerns about the company's poor track record and high Apple concentration are "likely to fade over the course of the next 12-18 months" as it improves gross margins and operating margins. Apple's share of the firm's revenue is also likely to drop to around 10% by end-2024, the bank added.

☆ Goldman picks 4 stocks to play a $5 trillion e-commerce opportunity — including one with 70% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

E-commerce growth may have slowed post-pandemic, but Goldman Sachs remains bullish on the sector and thinks there is more growth ahead. Stocks to play it Goldman has named a number of e-commerce stock picks, including three that made the bank's global conviction list — a compilation of the bank's top buy-rated picks. Goldman also said China was the world's largest e-commerce market, with an estimated $1.5 trillion in e-commerce sales in 2022, or about 43% of total sales globally. The e-commerce market grew in 2020 as consumers stayed home during pandemic lockdowns. Goldman estimates that global e-commerce penetration jumped by about 6 percentage points in 2020, double the growth rate of the pre-pandemic era.

☆ Four Kenyans, told their work on Earth was done, fast to death, police say
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

All 15 were members of the Good News International Church in the coastal county of Kilifi, police said. "In the process of rescuing the victims, four of them died," police said in an incident report. "They starved after being radicalised by a certain member of a church told them that their work in this world was done... and they were waiting to die and see their creator," he said on Citizen Television. In a March 23 affidavit, police said the parents had starved and suffocated the two boys on Nthenge's advice. Reporting by Humphrey Malalo; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Duncan Miriri and Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Morgan Stanley says this chip giant will be a long-term tech leader — and gives it 30% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The South Korean chip maker also said it will cut memory chip production amid slowing global growth, dwindling demand and oversupply. TSMC When it comes to TSMC, Morgan Stanley is staying bullish despite expectations of near-term pressure on the stock. In the near term, we also expect TSMC's 2Q23 revenue guidance to be weaker than expected," Morgan Stanley's analysts, led by Charlie Chan, wrote in a note on Apr. 20, the bank's base case scenario will see the chip giant guiding for a longer-than-expected inventory correction. Tim Seymour, founder and chief investment officer of Seymour Asset Management, believes the dip in TSMC's share price is a buying opportunity .

☆ Tesla's shares are up over 70% this year. One market pro is bullish — but another isn't convinced
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Shares of electric vehicle giant Tesla have risen more than 70% this year, after falling 65% in 2022 in its largest-ever annual decline. Bull vs. bear Ross Gerber, president and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth Management, is an unabashed Tesla bull. Gerber is excited about the prospects for Tesla's first pickup truck — the Cybertruck — which is expected to begin production by end-2023. Tesla cannot be the EV leader without cutting prices, Bido added. One of the most important components of an EV is the battery, and Gerber said Tesla is a leader in battery technology.

☆ Want to play soaring gold prices? These stocks are seen rising by at least 20%
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Gold prices are up about 10% this year and traded around $2,020 an ounce at one point on Thursday. For investors looking to cash on potentially higher gold prices, CNBC Pro screened FactSet for stocks in the Global X Gold Explorers ETF , the iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF , the VanEck Gold Miners ETF , and the SPDR S & P Metals and Mining ETF . The company's gold mining operations are in Western Australia, where it aims to produce 185,000 to 205,000 ounces of gold annually by 2024. Analysts give British mining firm Hochschild Mining potential upside of 32.8%, according to FactSet data. Other stocks that made the screen include Australia's Silver Lake Resources , Indonesia's PT Merdeka Copper Gold, Endeavour Mining and B2Gold .

☆ Market veteran says we may be 'a long way from a new bull market' and shares what to buy and avoid
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

That puts the index in a technical bull market — widely defined as a gain of at least 20% from a 52-week low. That outperformance is getting investors excited and is prompting talk that a new bull market is in the cards. But market veteran David Dietze said he believes the stock market is getting ahead of itself. "Others have trouble calling a market movement a new bull market until the market at least attains its prior all-time high point. How he's positioning For starters, he said, investors should remain invested in the stock market, despite the appeal of higher-yielding money market funds and short-dated Treasurys.

☆ Netflix vs. Disney? Analysts have a favorite, and give it nearly 30% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

There's plenty of competition in streaming services, but Netflix and Disney are undoubtedly two of the biggest names — and both are facing a number of headwinds. However, analysts' average potential upside tells a different story: Disney gets average potential upside of 26%, according to FactSet data, while Netflix's comes in at just 3.8%. The case for Netflix For Bank of America, Netflix is a "world class brand" with a "leading global subscriber base." "I think Netflix is certainly going to have a lot of leverage on revenue growth and cost discipline. With the kind of blended businesses and the opportunities for improvement, I think Disney is a little bit better in my favor," he said.

☆ As Wall Street turns bearish on the U.S., here's where the pros say to invest
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Within Europe, Goldman prefers companies in value sectors that pay dividends , as well as select defensive and growth stocks in the market. Emerging markets Several Wall Street analysts are putting their money on emerging markets, with most bullish on China, the world's second-largest economy. While the bank expects just 1% earnings growth for emerging market stocks, it said the sector's valuation looks attractive at a 23% discount to global peers. Philip Blancato, CEO at Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, is also bullish on emerging markets. He added that the case for adding to emerging market allocations is growing, particularly given the "near guarantee" of a softer dollar in the short- to medium-term.

☆ Morgan Stanley just revealed its best long-term stock picks in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Despite their underperformance in recent years, " quality" stocks have been persistent outperformers within European stock markets for decades, according to research from Morgan Stanley . The bank has revealed its "35 for 2025" list, featuring the bank's 35 best long-term picks in Europe. Notwithstanding recent price moves, quality stocks also look reasonably valued, with average relative valuations for the MSCI Europe Quality index below their 10-year average," Morgan Stanley's analysts, led by Giorgio Magagnotti, wrote in a note on Mar. British alcoholic beverage maker Diageo also makes an appearance, with Morgan Stanley confident of Diageo's ability to deliver "superior" growth. Within the semiconductor space, ASML is Morgan Stanley's top pick.

☆ Jailed Malaysian ex-PM Najib loses final bid to review graft conviction
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Rozanna Latiff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Reuters) - Malaysia's top court on Friday dismissed a bid by jailed former prime minister Najib Razak to review his corruption conviction over the multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB, ending Najib's judicial efforts to challenge the guilty verdict. Najib was jailed last year after Malaysia's Federal Court upheld a guilty verdict and 12-year prison sentence handed down to him by a lower court. Federal Court Judge Vernon Ong said a five-member panel voted 4-1 to dismiss Najib's application to review the conviction. Najib faces three other trials related to graft at 1MDB and other government agencies. Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by Ed Davies and Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Goldman Sachs' top stock picks in Europe include three with over 100% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"The macro backdrop remains uncertain … That said, we see scope for alpha opportunities with returns dispersion across sectors," Goldman's analysts, led by John Sawtell, wrote in a Mar. Out-of-consensus buys The bank identified a raft of out-of-consensus stock picks, where each stock is rated "buy" by fewer than 50% of analysts covering them. Goldman gives Deutsche Bank potential upside of 114%. UBS , which recently swooped in with a rescue deal for embattled Credit Suisse, is also on Goldman's screen, with potential upside of 104%. The bank gave British telecommunications firm BT Group potential upside of 101%.

☆ Jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak loses final bid to review graft conviction
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak (C) greets supporters as he walks out during a break in the trial during an appeal against his corruption conviction over the 1MDB financial scandal, at the federal court in Putrajaya, on Aug. 23, 2022. Malaysia's top court on Friday dismissed a bid by jailed former prime minister Najib Razak to review his corruption conviction over the multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB, ending Najib's judicial efforts to challenge the guilty verdict. Najib was jailed last year after Malaysia's Federal Court upheld a guilty verdict and 12-year prison sentence handed down to him by a lower court. Federal Court Judge Vernon Ong said a five-member panel voted 4-1 to dismiss Najib's application to review the conviction. "In the final analysis, and having regard to all circumstances, we are constrained to say that the applicant (Najib) was the author of his own misfortunes," Ong said.

☆ A less obvious area in A.I. could be an $11 billion opportunity, Bernstein says — and names 4 stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Goldman Sachs estimates that generative AI in particular will drive almost $7 trillion in global economic growth over the next decade, with a total addressable market (TAM) of $150 billion. Nvidia is another top pick on Wall Street, with the chipmaker seen as the "grand marshal" of the AI parade . Bernstein, for one, said it believes the world is witnessing an "exciting inflection" of AI adoption in manufacturing. Stock picks In a note on March 28, Bernstein analyst Jay Huang named a raft of stock picks with "outperform" ratings to ride the AI opportunity in manufacturing, including Japanese electronics firm Keyence . The bank identified three areas in which AI is utilized in in the manufacturing process: industrial machine vision, robot guiding and industrial software.

☆ Commodity stocks are a ‘great place to look’ amid the volatility: Fund manager
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

But fund manager James Davolos believes the commodities sector is where it's at for savvy investors. "I don't really worry about volatility that much, but I continue to think that the one universally underpriced asset class today is commodities," Davolos, portfolio manager at Horizon Kinetics, told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Monday. Stocks to play it One of his top picks is Lithium Royalty Corp, which owns a royalty portfolio of lithium mines. Davolos believes the market is underappreciating Lithium Royalty as most of its portfolio mines have yet to commence production. Davolos also likes two other stocks : Viper Energy Partners , which owns a royalty portfolio of oilfield assets, and its parent company Diamondback Energy .

☆ Here's where to invest $10,000 right now, according to the pros
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The S & P 500 is on track to finish March flat and end the first quarter up more than 3%. So if you had $10,000 to invest, where should you put it and how much should you allocate to each asset class? He also recommended getting exposure to some of the top holdings in the SPDR S & P 500 ETF , which tracks the S & P 500, as well as the VanEck Semiconductor ETF . He said he'd invest 40% into stocks: 15% in Asia, 15% in the U.S., and 10% in Europe. On the equities front, he told CNBC Pro that he would buy large-cap energy stocks.

☆ Buying the dip on energy stocks? Wall Street pros name their top picks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Energy was the second-best-performing sector of the S & P 500 last week, as investors flocked back into the stocks amid a recent dip in oil prices. Thummel also likes two energy infrastructure stocks — Cheniere Energy and Energy Transfer . He likes Viper Energy Partners , which owns a royalty portfolio of oilfield assets. "Viper Energy has one of the largest backlogs of tier-one locations in the [Permian] basin. Viper Energy is thus able to leverage improving energy prices while having "strong" downside support, according to Davolos.

☆ Here's how to spot a good growth stock, according to one fund manager
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Growth stocks have been enjoying a rebound after a miserable 2022. And the tech sector in particular — a favorite among investors seeking exposure to growth stocks — has been a bright spot amid the banking turmoil. "As a growth manager … one of the things we're trying to think about is, how do you identify good growth businesses?" He said one of the biggest risks of growth investing is paying too much today for future growth. Future growth is very difficult to predict, he said, adding that historical growth isn't particularly indicative of future growth.

☆ This fund manager has never owned a bank stock — and reveals what he looks for instead
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Investors have fled bank stocks in droves since a crisis in the sector broke out earlier this month. Fund manager Ian Mortimer is not a fan — and said he has never owned a banking stock in any of his funds. If you think about that as your starting point, the vast majority in the banking sector do not pass those criteria," he said. "The banking sector has been an area that often pays quite high dividends — sort of attractive from that perspective. So, it's a ... theory that in distress, the banking sector will reduce or potentially cancel their dividends," Mortimer added.

☆ This e-commerce stock has a whopping 300% upside, according to Morgan Stanley
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The e-commerce market grew in 2020 as consumers shied away from brick-and-mortar stores and opted for contactless deliveries during pandemic lockdowns. A period of normalization then followed, according to Morgan Stanley , with the sector notching a streak of four consecutive quarters of declining penetration. Stock picks The recovery in e-commerce growth is an opportunity for incremental sales growth and gains in market share, according to Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley said the company is a "share taker" in a key underpenetrated e-commerce category: global luxury. Nike expects the figure to rise to 40% over the longer term, according to Morgan Stanley, which implies e-commerce sales of $30 billion by 2027.

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