Group 1: Global Market Overview - The geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have led to a surge in oil prices, raising inflation concerns and causing most markets to experience volatility and declines [4][5]. - The MSCI ACWI Global Index closed at 981.31, reflecting a weekly decline of 1.8% and a year-to-date decrease of 3.3% [5]. - The U.S. markets, including the Dow Jones and S&P 500, saw declines of 2.1% and 1.9% respectively over the past week, with year-to-date changes of -5.2% and -5.0% [5]. Group 2: India Market Focus - The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz poses significant downside risks to the Indian economy, as over 85% of its crude oil demand is met through imports [11][12]. - A $10 increase in oil prices could expand India's trade deficit by approximately $19 billion, equating to 0.5% of GDP, and could lead to a potential rise in CPI inflation by up to 140 basis points [14][18]. - Despite the challenges, India remains one of the fastest-growing economies, with corporate earnings expected to grow at around 16% over the next two years [15][18]. Group 3: UK Market Focus - The UK economy unexpectedly stagnated in January 2026, with GDP growth at 0.0%, below market expectations of 0.2% [32][34]. - The Bank of England maintained its policy rate at 3.75%, emphasizing the need to act to ensure inflation remains on target, with CPI expected to approach 3.5% in March [35][36]. - The FTSE 100 index is seen as defensive during volatile periods, with significant contributions from sectors like essential consumer goods and healthcare [38][39]. Group 4: Singapore Market Focus - Singapore's market is facing inflationary pressures influenced by the duration and intensity of ongoing conflicts, with valuations still considered high despite long-term optimism [48][50]. - The iShares MSCI Singapore ETF is highlighted as a key investment vehicle, tracking the performance of major companies listed on the Singapore Exchange [23][48].

Market Performance - Southeast Asia ETF rose by 1.24% during the period from February 14 to February 27, 2026, outperforming the US and India but underperforming Africa, Japan, the UK, Latin America, and China[3] - Thailand's iShares MSCI ETF surged by 6.76%, outperforming by 5.51 percentage points, driven by strong export growth and interest rate cuts[4] - Indonesia's iShares MSCI ETF gained 0.28%, underperforming by 0.96 percentage points, supported by economic growth and a trade agreement with the US[4] - Singapore's iShares MSCI ETF rose by 1.05%, underperforming by 0.19 percentage points, with initial gains followed by a mild consolidation due to moderating inflation[4] Country-Specific Insights - Malaysia's iShares MSCI ETF fell by 1.68%, underperforming by 2.92 percentage points, despite record-high trade data and a structural breakthrough in services trade[4] - Vietnam's Global X MSCI ETF advanced by 1.87%, outperforming by 0.63 percentage points, buoyed by record foreign inflows and optimistic long-term assessments[4] Trading Volume and Liquidity - Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF's trading volume decreased by 52.1% to 341,000 shares, indicating a significant drop in liquidity[14] - iShares MSCI Singapore ETF's trading volume fell by 38.8% to 5.948 million shares, reflecting a similar trend across the region[15] Economic Indicators - Thailand's January export growth reached 24.4%, the fastest since 2021, significantly boosting market sentiment[23] - Indonesia's GDP growth for 2025 is projected at 5.11%, up from 5.03% in 2024, indicating a steady economic recovery[17]

Market Performance - Southeast Asia ETF rose by 1.24% during the period from February 14 to February 27, 2026, outperforming the US and India but underperforming Africa, Japan, the UK, Latin America, and China[3] - Thailand's iShares MSCI ETF surged by 6.76%, outperforming by 5.51 percentage points, driven by strong export data and interest rate cuts[4] - Indonesia's iShares MSCI ETF gained 0.28%, underperforming by 0.96 percentage points, supported by economic growth and a trade agreement with the US[4] - Singapore's iShares MSCI ETF rose by 1.05%, underperforming by 0.19 percentage points, with initial gains followed by a mild consolidation due to moderating inflation[4] Country-Specific Insights - Malaysia's iShares MSCI ETF fell by 1.68%, underperforming by 2.92 percentage points, despite record-high trade data and a structural breakthrough in services trade[4] - Vietnam's Global X MSCI ETF increased by 1.87%, outperforming by 0.63 percentage points, buoyed by strong foreign inflows and optimistic long-term assessments[4] Trading Volume and Liquidity - The trading volume for the Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF decreased by 52.1% to 341,000 shares, indicating a significant drop in market activity[14] - Indonesia's trading volume fell by 47.4%, while Vietnam's saw a slight increase of 1.9%[15] Economic Indicators - Thailand's January export growth reached 24.4%, the fastest since 2021, contributing to market optimism[23] - Indonesia's GDP growth for 2025 is projected at 5.11%, up from 5.03% in 2024, indicating a steady recovery[17]

Market Overview - Southeast Asia ETFs fell by 0.84%, indicating a regional market correction, while Vietnam experienced positive growth[32] - The Southeast Asia ETF outperformed Latin America, India, and Japan, but lagged behind China, Africa, and the UK[32] Country-Specific Performance - Indonesia's iShares MSCI ETF declined by 4.49%, underperforming by 3.65 percentage points due to central bank rate cuts and social events[33] - Singapore's iShares MSCI ETF rose by 1.30%, outperforming by 2.14 percentage points, supported by an upward revision of the 2025 GDP growth forecast[34] - Thailand's iShares MSCI ETF fell by 0.76%, outperforming by 0.08 percentage points, primarily affected by political uncertainty[34] - Malaysia's iShares MSCI ETF decreased by 0.44%, outperforming by 0.40 percentage points, with active trading and stable economic growth in Q2 2025[34] - Vietnam's Global X MSCI ETF increased by 2.88%, outperforming by 3.73 percentage points, bolstered by new decrees reducing land use fees and rents[35] Trading Volume Insights - The Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF had a trading volume of 145,000 shares, down 22.9% from the previous period[9] - Indonesia's iShares MSCI ETF saw a trading volume of 9.658 million shares, up 36.9%[10] - Malaysia's iShares MSCI ETF experienced a significant increase in trading volume by 107.5%[10] Risk Factors - The report highlights macroeconomic downturn risks and geopolitical tensions as potential threats to market stability[4][31]

Market Performance - Southeast Asia ETF rose by 1.69%, driven by expectations of monetary easing, supporting continued market recovery[5] - The Southeast Asia ETF outperformed Latin America, India, and the UK, lagging only behind China[34] - The Southeast Asia Technology ETF gained 4.32%, outperforming the broader Southeast Asia ETF by 2.62 percentage points[34] Country-Specific Performance - iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF rose by 1.66%, underperforming by 0.03 percentage points, supported by a U.S.-Indonesia trade agreement and interest rate cuts[38] - iShares MSCI Singapore ETF increased by 4.91%, outperforming by 3.21 percentage points, indicating a stable upward trend[38] - iShares MSCI Thailand ETF surged by 6.21%, outperforming by 4.51 percentage points, as tariff risks were largely priced in[38] - iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF fell by 1.97%, underperforming by 3.66 percentage points, despite a central bank interest rate cut[38] - Global X MSCI Vietnam ETF jumped by 11.79%, outperforming by 10.10 percentage points, buoyed by a trade agreement and strong economic resilience[38] Trading Volume and Liquidity - Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF had a trading volume of 118,000 shares, a decrease of 2.7%[13] - iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF trading volume increased by 39.7% to 6.982 million shares[14] - iShares MSCI Singapore ETF trading volume decreased by 25.4% to 448,600 shares[14] - Global X MSCI Vietnam ETF trading volume surged by 100.5% to 291,000 shares[14] Economic Indicators - Vietnam's GDP grew by 7.96% year-on-year in Q2 2025, with a forecast of 8% growth for the full year[25] - The Thai SET index rose by 7.74%, reflecting positive market sentiment amid ongoing trade negotiations[19] - Malaysia's central bank cut interest rates by 25 basis points to 2.75%, the first cut in five years, but market reaction was muted[21]