F. Yap Securities / 2TradeAsia

Expect volatility this week, as investors check for month-end portfolio re-balancing.

Light sessions might continue, as participants check for catalysts to prod aggressive positioning.

Participants might look forward for 1Q23 earnings guidance for most of the week, as several listed firms line-up for their annual generation meeting (AGM) season.

Sentiment might take its cue from US equities’ overnight advance (DJIA +1.14%, Nasdaq Comp. +1.99%), as well as indications from BSP Gov. Medalla for consideration of rate pauses given the recent MoM inflation trend.

Mixed views are seen, as fund managers balance inflation estimates against the recent uptick in crude prices.

Sessions might trend higher, as participants cheer slower inflation for March (7.6% vs. Feb.’s 8.6%).

Tight trading sessions are seen, as several investors prepare for the Lenten break.

Volatile sessions are seen, as market players weigh the unexpected production cut from OPEC+ against inflationary pressures and

Another tight session is seen, as participants check on improvements in participation during the week’s quarter-end closing.

Buyers might resume to take position in equities, with the Fed & local central bank’s 25bps rate hike already built-in into share prices.

Trades may stay range-bound, as market players check on momentum improvement, after the FOMC & BSP’s move to raise benchmark rates by an expected 25bps.