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DHL Express names new Asia Pacific operations head, highlights commitment to boost air network robustness

  • Peter Bardens will oversee Asia Pacific’s air network and ground operations, effective September 1, 2024
  • Peter takes over from Sean Wall, who will manage global ground operations, effective January 1, 2025

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2024 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, is pleased to appoint Peter Bardens as the Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific Network Operations & Aviation, effective September 1, 2024. Peter will bring his extensive experience from managing ground operations in Europe to lead the Asia-Pacific region’s high-achieving aviation network and ground operations. He will also join the DHL Express Asia Pacific Management Board.

Peter Bardens is the Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific Network Operations & Aviation, DHL Express
Peter Bardens is the Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific Network Operations & Aviation, DHL Express

Based in Singapore, Peter takes over the reins from Sean Wall, who will move on to a global role to oversee ground operations, effective January 1, 2025. Sean will continue to be based in Singapore. These appointments reflect DHL Express’s dedication to talent mobility by leveraging skillsets across different markets and ensuring the continuity of its global operations.

“We own a strong, well-oiled aviation and ground operations network that facilitates global trade flows and movement of crucial shipments round the clock. The efficiency and reliability of our network are vital to a growing customer base looking to buy and sell from anywhere in the world. Peter has a proven track record of delivering results and driving operational excellence in Europe. His competence in operations planning and people-first leadership approach will be instrumental to bolstering our Asia-Pacific network and meeting our customer demands,” said Ken Lee, CEO, Asia Pacific, DHL Express.

DHL Express is constantly investing in its Asia Pacific aviation network and facilities to optimize capacity and efficiency, such as introducing direct flights between Hong Kong and Sydney to cater to Oceania-North Asia demand. The largest infrastructural investment is the Central Asia Hub, which received a total of EUR562 million of investment and saw a further expansion in 2023. DHL Express also injected EUR131 million of investment to expand its Incheon Gateway in South Korea in 2023, and most recently, opened the new Adelaide Gateway in Australia with more than EUR20 million of investments. This coming October 2024, the company will unveil the new Kuala Lumpur Gateway in Malaysia.

In his new role, Peter heads the ground and aviation network in Asia Pacific, comprising more than 25 freighters, 7,200 pick-up and delivery vehicles, and 1,100 facilities. The facilities form a robust, connected system of 50 gateways and three main hubs in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore, where approximately 710 flights pass through per day. The network is integral to transporting and delivering thousands of cross-border shipments daily between Asia Pacific and the rest of the world.

“Asia Pacific’s logistics is highly demanding. I am honored to lead and guide the passionate and adaptable team here that has constantly shown a positive attitude to operate and deliver with precision, and relentless efficiency. I am confident that my vast network and ground operations planning background will help guide the team to navigate this landscape’s ever-evolving market demands,” said Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific Network Operations & Aviation, DHL Express.

Prior to taking up the new appointment, Peter served as the Vice President of Ground Operations, Europe, where he oversaw the Cologne-Bonn and Paris-Charles de Gaulle hubs. Under his leadership, these facilities underwent significant improvements in safety, service quality, efficiency, and employee satisfaction. Peter was also instrumental in the investments and development infrastructure in Europe, while aligning operational requirements with legislative changes in the region.
Hashtag: #DHL

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 395,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 81.8 billion euros in 2023. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.

On the internet:

MAG Receives Funding to Expand UXO Clearance in Khammouane, Laos

MAG Receives Funding to Expand UXO Clearance in Laos
Mr. Bounpheng Sisawath, Acting Director-General of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO/Mine Action Sector, and Mr. Eli Mechanic, MAG Country Director sign an MOU to implement Freeman Foundation and Restoration Laos funding for UXO operations in Khammouane Province, 30 August 2024.

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has secured over USD 800,000 from the Freeman Foundation and Restoration Laos to fund UXO clearance and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) in Khammouane Province for 2024-2025.

Ministry of Energy and Mines Considers Electricity Price Adjustments for 2024-2028

Electric poles (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) is exploring changes to electricity prices for the 2024-2028 period to ensure the long-term sustainability of electricity generation and supply.

DYX TECHNOLOGY Merges with DYXnet’s Taiwan Branch

Committed to Excellence in Service and Strengthening Industry Leadership


TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2024 – DYX TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD., a Singapore company, announces the successful acquisition of the Taiwan branch of DYXnet, a leading carrier-neutral network service provider in the Greater China region. Effective on September 1, 2024, the branch will operate as DYX TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD. TAIWAN BRANCH (hereafter referred to as “DYX Taiwan”). This merger is a strategic move to create synergies and provide customers with more professional and comprehensive services.

Strengthening Partner Ecosystem while Customer Rights and Services Remain Unaffected

This merger will not impact the rights of existing customers. The sales and technical teams at DYX Taiwan will be the original staff from DYXnet’s Taiwan branch, ensuring product and service standards remain unchanged. Additionally, DYX Taiwan has been authorized as the sole distributor for DYXnet in Taiwan, continuing to deliver outstanding services to enterprises in the region.

In the face of global competition, the collaboration not only offers customers a broader array of products and services but also strengthens the partner ecosystem for both companies, providing diverse support for future business development and further solidifying the leadership position in the industry. The DYX Taiwan team will continue to customize the best-fit solutions for clients across various sectors, utilizing exceptional technology and services to create high-quality, cost-effective solutions that help Taiwan’s businesses explore new opportunities.

Hashtag: #DYXTECHNOLOGY #DYXnet

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About DYX TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD. TAIWAN BRANCH

Established in 2024, DYX TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD. TAIWAN BRANCH is the former Taiwan branch of DYXnet and serves as a carrier-neutral network service provider. Upholding the commitment to excellence to meet the growing market demands of customers, the company is dedicated to offering enterprise network services that connect clients globally, including Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), and data centers, cybersecurity, cloud, and AI solutions. For more information, please visit the official website at .

Ontech Introduces New High-Performance CEMF Sensor ASIC, Driving Innovation and Market Reach Across Multiple Growth Industries

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2024 – Ontech Group, a global leader in electromagnetic field sensor technology, today announced a significant breakthrough with the launch of a new family of 128-channel Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), designed to significantly enhance the technical capabilities and commercial benefits of its revolutionary Controlled Electromagnetic Field (CEMF) sensor.

Designed to meet market demands in growth industries such as health technology, wearable devices, and personal computing, the new ASICs deliver unprecedented precision and flexibility. Featuring enhanced resolution, reliability, and accuracy, the new ASICs also provide a larger sensing area per chip and a smaller form to simplify integration.

These advancements enable CEMF sensors to offer up to double the resolution and accuracy in a wider range of devices and applications, when compared to the leading short-range sensor technologies in this segment.

“The requests for new ways to overcome existing sensor limitations was the key driver in developing this new family of ASICs,” said Dr. Juan Aponte, CTO and co-founder of Ontech. “Our customers need to meet surging demand for features like high-resolution and high precision 3D physicality sensing, low power consumption and easier integration. We have transformed our CEMF sensor technology to empower innovations that could redefine sectors such as health technology and personal electronics.”

Expanding Market Applications

Ontech’s new 128-channel ASIC builds on CEMF’s abilities to simultaneously detect, track, map, and measure both external and internal features. It significantly boosts the existing commercial benefits of CEMF in a wide array of industries, including health technology, consumer electronics, robotics, wearables, power tools and IoT/ IIoT.

Ontech has secured confidential collaborations with leading consumer, industrial, and technology companies to use the new ASICs. These partnerships pave the way for a leap forward in human-machine interaction.

“We are excited to see how our customers will leverage these chips to create innovative solutions that will shape the future of human-machine interaction.” said Martin Wikstroem, CEO and co-founder of Ontech. “One customer is creating a novel gesture-controlled personal device that demands spatial sensing in high-definition at very close range, works in any light, through obstructions, and complies with strict biometric privacy rules.”

Specifications

The new 128-channel ASIC family builds on the high standards set by Ontech’s previous 32 channel ASIC. Improved capabilities of the 128-channel family include a compact 1.5 mm2 form factor, HV-CMOS technology with 0.13μm, voltage up to 3.3V, flexible scan sequences of up to 32 steps, and an acquisition frequency of up to 2GHz. Additionally, peripheral blocks such as LDOs, clocks, and references have been integrated to minimise the PCB space required for customers to incorporate the CEMF sensor, while the new ASIC core itself is designed for a high degree of application-specific customisation.

Hashtag: #ontech

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Ontech

Ontech Group is the pioneer of Controlled Electromagnetic Field (CEMF) sensing, a unique technology that revolutionises interactions between humans, machines, and technology. With offices and R&D centres worldwide, Ontech is a leader in electromagnetic field technology and a disruptor in near-field detection. Our mission is to empower the world’s most innovative leaders and engineers to create safer, more functional, and energy-efficient technologies. Protected by over 100 international patents, Ontech’s proprietary CEMF sensors drive change across multiple industries, including health tech, automotive, consumer devices, and more.

Kenanga Group Invests In Helicap To Accelerate Digital Transformation


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media Outreach Newswire – 2 September 2024 – Malaysia’s leading independent investment bank, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga Group” or the “Group”) announced that it has partnered with leading Singaporean fintech firm Helicap Pte Ltd (“Helicap”) in a move to further advance its digitalisation initiatives.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank (standing), along with other key representatives. From left: Cheong Boon Kak, Group Chief Financial & Operations Officer, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad; Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Kenanga Investors Berhad; David Z Wang, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Helicap Securities; Quentin Vanoekel, Co-Founder & Chief Investment Officer, Helicap Investments; and Jeremy Tan, Co-Founder & Group Chief Operating Officer.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank (standing), along with other key representatives. From left: Cheong Boon Kak, Group Chief Financial & Operations Officer, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad; Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Kenanga Investors Berhad; David Z Wang, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Helicap Securities; Quentin Vanoekel, Co-Founder & Chief Investment Officer, Helicap Investments; and Jeremy Tan, Co-Founder & Group Chief Operating Officer.

As part of this partnership, Kenanga Group, through a fund managed by its asset and wealth management arm, Kenanga Investors Berhad (“Kenanga Investors”), has collectively taken a stake of 8% (“the Investment”) in Helicap. The Investment forms Helicap’s Series B funding round, which sees Kenanga Group as lead investor alongside Saison Capital Pte Ltd, the corporate venture capital arm of Credit Saison, one of Japan’s largest non-bank financial companies that is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Subsequently, Kenanga Group’s stake will be further increased in the near future to approximately 10%, making Kenanga Group the largest institutional investor in Helicap.

Helicap, one of the first fintech private investment platforms specialising in the alternative lending space in Southeast Asia (“SEA”), has built its success on a foundation of innovation and technology. Central to its competitive edge is its proprietary credit analytics engine, which stands as the company’s strongest asset.

According to Kenanga Group’s Managing Director, Datuk Chay Wai Leong, the Group distinguishes itself from its peers by leveraging digital technology to elevate its service and solution offerings. “By focusing on digital innovation, we have provided multiple touchpoints to enable our clients to engage with our services more efficiently and effectively. Therefore, our investment into Helicap is a natural progression in our digitalisation journey, as Helicap’s proprietary technology can potentially be embedded into Kenanga’s own lending and investment banking business seamlessly to provide greater loan book transparency and analysis, portfolio and credit risk monitoring and granular-level data to identify nascent opportunities and obtain microeconomic insights”, he explained.

This Investment builds upon Kenanga Group’s broader digitalisation initiatives, following its successful investments into Rakuten, CapBay, Tokenize Malaysia and Merchantrade. These partnerships reflect the Group’s commitment to collaborating with best-of-breed fintech companies that are pioneers in their fields. By deploying first-in-class digital technologies, it aims to continue to enhance its business activities, access new markets, and explore new segments.

The Investment follows the launch of Kenanga Investors’ latest product suite, the Kenanga Alternative Series, which was marked by the introduction of the Kenanga Alternative Series: Income Opportunities Fund in July 2024. It feeds into the Helicap Income Opportunities Fund, an open-ended Asian private credit fund.

Kenanga Investors’ Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis commented on the expanded relationship with Helicap, stating, “Our enhanced partnership with Helicap will enable us to tap into its global network as a source of offshore capital as well as to facilitate deal co-origination and syndication efforts in both Singapore and Malaysia. Ultimately, we believe this will provide a strategic base for Kenanga Group to build further cross-border collaborative partnerships and capitalise on the dynamic growth in the region, as well as the rising income and affluence among South-East Asian investors”.

From the fintech firm’s perspective, such a collaboration would seamlessly integrate Helicap’s strengths in private credit with Kenanga Group’s brand recognition and operational capabilities, creating a state-of-the-art private credit business. David Z Wang, Co-founder & CEO of Helicap Securities, stated, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Kenanga Group, a pivotal step in bringing Helicap’s investment opportunities to the Malaysian market. This collaboration represents a significant milestone as we unite Kenanga’s robust local market presence and billions in assets with an extensive client base with Helicap’s powerful, sector-agnostic, data-driven platform and proprietary analytics technology. As a leader in Asia’s private credit space, Helicap is poised to drive meaningful growth in Malaysia. Our commitment to financial inclusion and innovative investment solutions remains unwavering, as we continue to address the dynamic needs of investors and lenders alike.”

Since its establishment in 2018, Helicap, through its regulated subsidiaries, has deployed almost S$500 million, offering investment opportunities in Southeast Asia to accredited and institutional investors. As a leading platform operator in Southeast Asia, it has strategically focused its investments primarily on financial companies, leveraging its unique credit screening system and enhanced loan structure to deliver stable and consistent returns.

For more information about Kenanga Group, please visit www.kenanga.com.my.

Hashtag: #Kenanga

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad 197301002193 (15678-H)

Established for over 50 years, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“The Group”) is a financial group in Malaysia with extensive experience in equity broking, investment banking, treasury, Islamic banking, listed derivatives, investment management, wealth management, structured lending and trade financing. An innovative and established home-grown brand, the Group’s digital ambition includes building a robust digital ecosystem that meets the needs of its clients and businesses. Some of its game-changing products include Malaysia’s fully online digital stockbroking platform Rakuten Trade and a fully A.I. robo-advisor, Kenanga Digital Investing. The Group also launched Malaysia’s first securities broking e-wallet, Kenanga Money, paved the way in AI-led Quan and algorithmic trading, kick-started a revolutionary supply chain financing solution for SMEs and made inroads into the digital assets space through its investment in Tokenize Technology (M) Sdn.Bhd. The Group has garnered a host of awards and accolades reflecting its strong market position. It was awarded Highest Returns to Shareholder Over Three Years, Highest Growth in Profit After Tax Over Three Years and Highest Return on Equity Over Three Years by The Edge Malaysia Centurion Club in the Financial Services Category, Best Overall Equities Participating Organisation (Champion), Best Retail Equities Participating Organisation (Champion), and Best Online Retail Participating Organisation (Champion), as well as Best Institutional Derivatives Trading Participant (Champion) and Best Overall Derivatives Trading Participant (1st Runner Up) in the Bursa Excellence Awards 2022. The Group was also accorded the title of Best House, South and Southeast Asia Award in the SRP Asia Pacific Awards 2022.

The Group continues to be a regular and repeat recipient of distinguished industry accolades, such as the Lipper, Fundsupermart and Morningstar awards. Rakuten Trade, Malaysia’s first fully digital securities broker in 2017 via a joint venture with Japanese fintech giant Rakuten Securities Inc was also named Malaysia’s Digital Experience of the Year – Brokerage at the Asian Experience Awards 2022. For its continued efforts towards community outreach and employee volunteerism, the Group was awarded the coveted Bank of the Year Award for Environmental, Social & Governance Excellence, as well as Long-Standing Excellence in Sustainability at Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2022. The Group is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principle-based approach to responsible business. Today, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad is an award-winning leading independent investment bank in the country with a continuous commitment towards driving collaboration, innovation, digitalisation and sustainability in the marketplace.

Jebsen & Jessen Group Announces Acquisition of Mongolia-based MSM Group

This strategic acquisition will enhance geographic expansion and strengthen distribution capabilities and networks.


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2024 – Diversified industrial conglomerate Jebsen & Jessen Group today announces the acquisition of MSM Group, a Mongolia-based company headquartered in Ulaanbaatar, thereby establishing a market leading position in the fast growing market of Mongolia.

Per Magnusson, CEO of Jebsen & Jessen Group and Mark Gabel, CEO of MSM Group.
Per Magnusson, CEO of Jebsen & Jessen Group and Mark Gabel, CEO of MSM Group.

As one of the leading conglomerates in Mongolia, MSM Group spans multiple sectors including industrial equipment, chemical, automotive, beverage and agricultural equipment distribution. Since 1998, MSM Group has been playing a pivotal role in introducing premium international brands to the Mongolian market, and remains the sole distributor and partner for more than 50 of these brands in the country today. With over 650 employees, MSM Group operates showrooms, workshops, warehousing facilities and sales outlets in the central area of the capital city Ulaanbaatar, as well as South Gobi and other areas of Mongolia.

This acquisition brings together the technological know-how and strength of two family businesses serving complementary markets. Jebsen & Jessen Group has had a long-standing relationship with MSM Group, with MSM Group serving as a distributor of Jebsen & Jessen Group’s industrial products in Mongolia for over a decade.

Expanded market reach and capabilities

MSM Group is Jebsen & Jessen Group’s third acquisition in six months following that of GMA Garnet and Safetech, and marks its further expansion into new markets beyond its stronghold in South East Asia this year. With the entry into Mongolia, Jebsen & Jessen Group is poised to extend its reach and capitalise on new opportunities in a rapidly growing market.

“We are delighted to be welcoming MSM Group as part of the Jebsen & Jessen family. The acquisition is a strategic move that aligns with the goal of expanding our global footprint, and enhancing our industrial and distribution capabilities,” said Jebsen & Jessen Group CEO Per Magnusson. “MSM Group’s leading market position in Mongolia, its strong management team and workforce, and its diverse businesses will be a valuable addition to our portfolio. We will benefit from the synergies that we can now leverage across these activities.”

Synergies for growth

For MSM Group, this acquisition facilitates access to the extensive resources and expertise of Jebsen & Jessen Group, offering new avenues for growth and development. Further, the history of the two family businesses with a shared commitment to long-term growth and community impact makes this an attractive union. The alignment of common values — rooted in trust, heritage and a deep understanding of the markets — creates a strong foundation for a successful, sustainable partnership.

MSM Group will become the seventh business unit within Jebsen & Jessen Group. The founders of MSM Group, Laurenz Melchers and David Reiner, will remain minority shareholders alongside CEO Mark Gabel. MSM Group will continue to operate under its current company name and leadership, and maintain its commercial presence with all operations and business proceeding as usual.

“Having known Heinrich Jessen, Chairman of Jebsen & Jessen Group for many years, both in a professional and personal capacity, both David and I are assured that this is the right step and Jebsen & Jessen Group is the perfect partner to entrust the future of MSM Group and its employees for the many years to come,” said Chairman of MSM Group Laurenz Melchers.

“MSM Group has enjoyed strong growth over several decades to become the market leading company it is today. Joining Jebsen & Jessen Group provides us with the potential to scale our operations to levels we have never achieved before. These are exciting times for our teams and the brands we represent,” said MSM Group CEO Mark Gabel.
Hashtag: #Jebsen&JessenGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Jebsen & Jessen Group

Part of a global family enterprise that dates back to a trading partnership formed in Hong Kong in 1895, Jebsen & Jessen Group headquartered in Singapore is today an industrial conglomerate with a diverse network of businesses spanning manufacturing, engineering, mining and distribution activities. Core businesses include cable technology, garnet, ingredients, life sciences, packaging and other industrial technology, across more than 15 countries in five continents. Over 4,000 colleagues work as one to develop meaningful products and services for the myriad customers served.

For more information, visit .

Gold, stocks, and dollar: Octa’s guide to navigating market volatility during election time


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2024 – The influence of presidential elections on financial markets is often temporary. Still, the psychological effect of elections on traders and investors can cause emotional and illogical behaviour, contributing to increased market swings. Apart from the White House, the Senate is also up for grabs this fall, and the balance of power inside the legislative branch could be just as important. To mitigate potential losses, investors should refrain from purchasing risky assets during periods of election-related uncertainty. The sheer fact that presidential elections are taking place in a deeply divided yet highly important country is already having a bullish impact on gold prices.

Octa

When it comes to quick money-making on the financial markets, retail traders often disregard political events. Instead, they prefer to focus on regular macroeconomic releases, such as scheduled Consumer Price Index (CPI) readings or Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) reports. However, politics and economics often go together. And if there is one political event that traders cannot afford to overlook this year, it is certainly the U.S. presidential elections, which are set to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This pivotal event doesn’t just influence American citizens—it has a significant ripple effect on global financial markets. From Wall Street to the commodities markets, the implications of the U.S. presidential election could be profound and far-reaching.

The candidates
American voters will choose between Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.

Kamala Harris aligns closely with the current president, Joe Biden, especially on domestic policies. She is backing national abortion protections, LGBT+ rights, and significant fiscal stimulus measures, such as student debt relief. She is also a staunch advocate of new legislation to address climate change and wants to move the U.S. economy toward cleaner energy sources. As a presidential candidate, she introduced a staggering $10 trillion climate plan, greatly surpassing Biden’s $1.6 trillion initiatives. In addition, Harris also advocated for a ‘climate pollution fee’ and proposed the elimination of federal subsidies for fossil fuels. Although Harris launched her political career in Silicon Valley, she is now calling for regulations to address the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) and enhance data privacy rules. Her record on trade policies suggests that she is somewhat sceptical of free trade. ‘There would be no trade deal that would be signed unless it protected American workers and it protected our environment,’ she was quoted as saying at one point.

Donald Trump’s previous administration was characterised by tax cuts, deregulation, and a focus on trade policies. During the 2024 campaign, Trump has repeated his intention to cut red tape, reduce government spending, and bring inflation down. He intends to lift the restrictions on fossil fuel production and cancel the electric vehicle mandate. Additionally, Trump seems to be leaning towards protectionism as he has explicitly promised to ‘stop outsourcing and turn the United States into a manufacturing superpower’. Domestically, one of his most radical proposals is to deport millions of illegal immigrants and seal the border. As for the tech sphere, the Republicans aim to put an end to what they describe as Democrats’ overreach in regulating cryptocurrencies. They vow to defend the rights of Americans to mine Bitcoin (BTC) and manage their digital assets independently. Additionally, they promise freedom from government surveillance and control of digital transactions. They also plan to overturn President Biden’s executive order on AI, which they believe hinders innovation.

Implications for the markets
Before discussing the potential implications of the U.S. presidential elections on the financial market, there is one important caveat to make—U.S. presidents are not omnipotent. The U.S. is a sprawling nation with numerous institutions, a developed political framework, and a complex system of checks and balances. No president can single-handedly steer the entire country in one direction. For instance, if Kamala Harris becomes president but the Senate remains Republican-controlled, she would face significant hurdles in pushing through her initiatives. Likewise, with a Democrat-controlled Senate, President Trump might find his policies completely stalled. Therefore, while the executive branch of government is undeniably significant, its power has limits and should not be overstated. In this regard, it is worth remembering that in addition to the high-stakes presidential race, this fall’s ballot also includes one-third of the U.S. Senate seats (presently held by a slim Democratic majority) and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives (where Republicans hold a slight edge).

It’s also important to note that the impact of presidential elections on financial markets can be short-lived. While there may be immediate reactions to the election results, markets often stabilise as the new administration’s policies become clearer. For example, after the initial pre-election decline in 2016, the stock market then continued to rise as the Trump administration implemented its economic agenda. Similarly, gold prices and the dollar often return to their pre-election trends once the uncertainty dissipates and investors gain more clarity on future policies.

U.S.Stocks
Kar Yong Ang, an Octa analyst, comments: ‘Obviously, investors will react to the perceived economic agendas of the candidates, leading to fluctuations in stock prices, but right now they are more focused on corporate earnings and potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed)’.

Still, the U.S. presidential candidates focus on different agendas, and some sectors of the U.S. economy may perform better depending on who wins the election. Judging solely by their platforms, it seems reasonable to infer that under Donald Trump, the following broad sectors may perform well:

  • Energy companies (particularly those involved in fossil fuel production)
  • Industrials and manufacturing companies (such as General Electric and 3M)
  • Pharmaceutical and biotech companies (Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna)
  • Tech companies (particularly those not heavily reliant on international supply chains)

Conversely, if Kamala Harris were to win, the following sectors may do well:

  • Companies in the renewable energy sector
  • Companies with strong diversity and inclusion initiatives
  • Infrastructure companies
  • Healthcare companies (particularly those focused on expanding access to healthcare services)

Still, making a bet on any particular sector is too risky. While assuming that energy companies will do better under Trump than Harris may seem logical, nothing is guaranteed. If oil prices were to fall sharply, energy companies would underperform irrespective of who is the president. Kar Yong Ang, an Octa analyst, cautions potential investors: ‘Our outlook for this or that sector of the economy rests on the assumption that everything goes smoothly and according to plan. However, if the election results are delayed or contested, it would be best to stay away from any risk assets until the situation stabilises.’

U.S. Dollar
Neither of the candidates has provided specific details about how they intend to tackle the huge debt that the U.S. has accumulated over the past years. Harris’ ambitious spending plans on infrastructure and the environment may potentially undermine the U.S. fiscal position and lead to a weaker dollar. At the same time, Trump has explicitly stated that he wants to preserve the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency. However, his leaning toward protectionism might hurt global trade and encourage other countries to look for alternatives to the U.S. dollar.

If Kamala Harris wins

A Harris administration might prioritise increased government spending on social programs, healthcare, and infrastructure. While such spending could stimulate economic growth, it could also lead to larger budget deficits, necessitating increased borrowing and possibly putting downward pressure on the dollar.

If Harris were to implement higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy and introduce new regulations, it could lead to reduced corporate profits and potentially slower economic growth. This might weaken investor confidence in the U.S. economy, leading to a dollar depreciation as investors seek higher returns elsewhere.

Generally speaking, the market views Harris’ victory as bearish for the U.S. dollar.

If Donald Trump wins

During his previous administration, Trump implemented tariffs and renegotiated trade deals, which had mixed effects on the dollar. A renewed focus on protectionist policies could strengthen the dollar in the short term due to reduced imports and a lower trade deficit. However, if global trade tensions escalate, it could also lead to long-term depreciation.

Trump’s approach to fiscal policy has typically involved tax cuts, which can lead to higher budget deficits. While tax cuts might initially boost economic growth and support the dollar, sustained deficits could eventually undermine confidence in the U.S. fiscal position, leading to a weaker dollar over time.

Monetary policy interactions are another critical aspect. ‘Trump has explicitly stated that he wants presidents to have a role in setting borrowing costs. It is quite a radical proposal by modern standards, the effects of which are very difficult to estimate’, said Kar Yong Ang, Octa analyst.

Generally speaking, the market views Trump’s victory as bullish for the U.S. dollar—particularly, in the short term. The longer-term outlook, however, is less certain.

Gold

If Kamala Harris wins
A Harris victory might be perceived as a shift towards more progressive policies, which could include increased regulation and higher corporate taxes. These changes could create volatility in the stock market, leading investors to flock to gold as a more stable investment.

Additionally, if Harris’s policies lead to a weaker U.S. dollar, this could further boost gold prices. Gold is typically inversely related to the dollar: when the dollar weakens, gold prices usually rise.

If Donald Trump wins

One potential outcome of Trump’s victory is that it could lead to increased geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties. During his previous term, Trump’s administration engaged in trade wars, particularly with China, which created economic uncertainty. Because gold is considered to be a safe-haven asset during times of geopolitical instability, heightened tensions could drive investors to flock to gold, pushing its price higher.

Additionally, Trump’s stance on monetary policy could influence gold prices. If his administration were to pressure the Fed to maintain low interest rates or engage in further monetary easing, this could weaken the U.S. dollar. A weaker dollar typically makes gold cheaper for foreign investors, increasing demand and potentially driving up the price of gold.

Gold is poised to shine

Kar Yong Ang, Octa analyst, puts it this way: ‘It is not so much the policies of the actual candidates that are bullish for gold; it is the sheer fact that the elections are taking place that is bullish. Emotions run high, and most polls put Harris and Trump neck and neck in the presidential race. I think that the overall impact on gold prices would depend on the candidates’ preparedness and willingness to concede defeat and avoid wider confrontation’.

Indeed, many political analysts have noted that American society has become increasingly polarised over the past years. Consequently, an indecisive victory for either candidate could ignite widespread discontent among their opponents, potentially leading to large-scale protests. Under these circumstances, gold will certainly shine. Conversely, if the election outcome leads to market confidence and stability, the demand for gold might dip as investors move their money back into equities and other assets perceived as having higher returns.
Hashtag: #Octa

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Octa

is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

In the APAC region, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.