Economy Gearing Up in Malaysia for 2017
Watch the video with Andrew Stotz or read a summary of the country profile on Malaysia.
Four Pillars of GDP: Growth rising in 1Q17
Malaysia’s GDP made a run for it in the first quarter of 2017, clocking in at 5.6%—a rate not seen since the first quarter of 2015. This pushed up the annualized rate to 4.6%, a move that has investors thinking the slowdown of 2016 is gone for good.
The economy was primarily driven by growth in private consumption, 52% of GDP, but was also aided by the resumption of a positive, albeit small, trade surplus, which had been negative in recent quarters.
Despite inexpensive book value, lower profits still dog Malaysia
Valuation on a price-to-book basis, which currently sits at an expected value of 1.6x for 2017, is not expensive relative to the rest of Asia.
But the relatively low PB comes with a lower profitability in terms of ROE. Analysts expect just 1.1% growth in earnings per share this year.
A. Stotz Four Elements: Malaysia’s rank relative to Asia
Overall, Malaysia is relatively unattractive in Asia, considering all our four elements: Fundamentals, Valuation, Momentum, and Risk.
Fundamentals: Expected return on equity remains below 10% in 2017.
Valuation: Price-to-book is relatively cheap and the dividend yield is in line with the Asian average.
Momentum: Earnings growth and price momentum are both poor.
Risk: The market has a low beta relative to Asia ex-Japan, as well as a generally low price volatility.
All sectors fell in the Q3
Top 3 largest sectors: Financials: 21% of the market; Industrials: 16%; Consumer Staples: 12%.
Best sector & stock: Technology: +31.6%; MY EG Services Bhd: +36.2%.
Worst sector & stock: Utilities: +0.1%; Petronas Gas Bhd: -6.7%.
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