Should Malaysian investors worry about the slower growth in the developed market?

Its been long time since my last post tagged as business and finance related topics. As past few days I've been informed to write an essay on the above topic in order to pass the first round assessment of my application for a unit trust research analyst position in iFast capital, I just like to give it a try despite I've been working in a bank now as I am interested to get an idea on my ability to become an analyst in investment field. Below is my essay on the topic:

Resulted from sub-prime crisis and Greece sovereign debt problem, developed countries especially Euro which leaded by US market suffering financial stagnant all the while since 2008, even though it appears sometime when there were few signals of economic recovery, but it seems can’t last long and remain stagnant still. There is no doubt that the US situation has implication on Malaysia and region stock market, however, I would like to point out that those implications may temporarily effect local investors’ psychology and sentiment in stock market, nevertheless, it will bring minimum impact towards our strong economic fundamental in the long run.

Let’s take a look at the past few months economic data and indicators, although US unemployment rate shown a significant rise in the past few months, the country’s housing data and production index also shown a dissatisfied result as well, however Malaysia’s economic indicators showed positive result, as well as stock market performed well in the same period and the FTSE KLCI index achieved 1400 points and above recently.

To strengthen the point, we may have a look at our country’s export statistics as shown in the chart below, our gap between export toward ASEAN and South countries (exclude Japan) compared to export volume to US and EU countries had became wider in recent years. This fact shows that developed countries demand are no longer a major determiner on our economic, while emerging countries have a more important role instead. In addition, there are lots of unexplored potential markets in the emerging countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) awaiting Malaysian to explore extensive business opportunities.

Our economic health in that similar period also supported by recent profit jumping showed in most listed companies’ quarter financial reports, among those companies comprised from banking, automobile, service and else.

Another reason why Malaysian investor should take into consideration is our currency rate. As we all know, Ringgit had came to a high level against US currency at RM3.1/USD compared to previous level, and our currency had been the most impressive one among the region’s currencies, and it is optimistic to expect that Ringgit can keep strengthening against USD.

For those interested in developed market, in the short run, market may perform volatile trend due to the unstable economic environment; however, due to their strong basic fundamental, it is confident that they will rebound in the long run from the financial crisis, after all, US and EU counties had learned a lesson through the devastating financial crisis, and therefore taking action to control and tighten the financial policy.

In a nutshell, except for those who like to gain profit especially from the developed market investment in short term, otherwise Malaysian investors who invest in local market and nearby region countries should not worry about the slow growth in developed countries in the long run.

Public Bank Interview

I have been gone through the Public Bank management trainee (position tittle in the interview confirmation email) interview this early Monday, which HR people called me for that interview session in end of July. At first, the HR personnel asked me whether I am willing to involve in outdoor sales in the phone conversation and I said: "Ya, I can try it~", only then I had been confirmed an interview later, hence I assumed that they will place me in the sales line position, and indeed I had stated position as trainee credit analyst in my application email.

During the interview, two ladies interviewers asked me what field which I intended to work in, and I straightly told them credit analyst work although I assumed they planned to place me in the sales line, and following that the interview conversation is all about the technical knowledge on 5C approach, financial statement understanding and problem solving skill in credit analysis process, which they didn't even touch much on sales matters.

Next, I have been asked about my varsity extra-curriculum activities and requested to elaborate on it as well. They also asked me the qualities that a credit analyst should possessed. And finally is some HR standard questions such as preference working location, got own transport or not and else, after that my interview session ended and they said will inform me within 2-3 weeks if I am shortlisted. Frankly speaking, I personally did not feel that I performed very good in the interview but indeed just ok only, and I expected the chance get shortlisted not that pretty high.

Well, to my superb surprise, they called me the next day to ask me if I am able to work in KL, I said yes. The following day, they said confirmed my employment status as graduate trainee in Taman Maluri Public Bank, one of their Cheras's branches, processing personal loan, i.e. hire purchase and mortgage loan and can start working next week if my medical checkup can pass through within this week. During the two days, my hand and leg just shivering uncontrollable, because things happen really out of my expectation~!!!

What I can say is, Public Bank HR is extremely efficient in my case. By the way, my medical check-up report had come out today, thus next week will be the starting of my banking career and a new milestone in my lifetime, cheerio~!!!

Two Diaries

Jul 30, 2010

Today is my last day in FMM Perak, after a 3 months working experience here, I did learn a lot from my superiors and colleagues, despite this is not my field of specialization. On top of that, I appreciate the relationship and rapport build between all of us; it is hardly any word to describe how I am enjoying the working environment here and appreciation of every careful guidance, tolerance and patient of my superiors and colleagues on me, though it is ironic that I am still going to leave the organization due to salary and future career prospect consideration.

And to my surprise, today my executive, Ms. Nicole Choe had personally spring me for a delicious meal, my assistant manager had also gifted me a branded ball pen, and yet I received a nice looking tie gifted by all FMM Perak staffs, wow~ haha. Furthermore, all colleagues had secretly planned a farewell party for me. Frankly speaking, I do have bad concern on the peanut allowance earlier, but today it is completely different things in my mind, it is so….I don’t know what to say already….haha…just feel so touch~^^

I would like to have my appreciation words to every staff in FMM Perak here:

Mr. Louis (Branch Manager)
Although he seems strict sometimes, but actually he is very concerning towards his subordinates, after all, sometimes it may appear that he is easy going and friendly people as well. He had given lots of useful and precious advices on my career development, especially interviewed techniques and career improvement skills which I will always keep in mind and benefit from those advices in life-long process.

Mr. Mahinder (Assistant Manager)
Also my industrial supervisor, he is cool, yeah, and though I do not have lots of interaction and conversation with him (since he is cool), but I know that he is a very nice person, and I did learn a lot from him as well. I would like to say thank you to him for everything and also, of course, the branded ball pen~haha~

Ms. Nicole Choe (Executive)
This is the only superior I have lots of interaction with, very talkative, friendly, and easy going young lady. She is the one which I had learned the most from her; personally felt that she treated me as though I am her younger brother style. Thank you for her caring, mentoring and motivating during my industrial training, and I never forget she was the one who always ask me to do lots of public speaking to introduce courses’ trainers and announcements to trainees. In the end, thank you for everything and of course, thank you for spending a lamb chop for me~hehe~

Ms. Jessie Yang (Executive)
Leng Nui (pretty) Executive, though did not have much interaction with her as well since we have completely unrelated job scope, but she is nice and did give some useful advice to me as well. And I will not forget her delicious cakes which she had spend earlier.

Kak Eda and Ms. Charlotte
The two secretariats in FMM which I had coordinated a lot of work with them together, nice and patient seniors, and help me solve a lot of problems during my internship period.

Kak Ita and Ms. Angeline
Another two secretariats which are less work coordination with me, despite that, they are also nice colleagues without doubt if I have to work with them.

The working experience in here shall me one of my precious memory in my lifetime, THANK YOU FMM~!!!

Aug 8, 2010

Today is my convocation, a day which I have been officially declared as a graduate from USM, with a Bachelour Degree of honour in Management (Finance). Here, I would like to say thank you to every lecturer and friend which had appeared in my 3 years varsity life, without you all, it is definitely a boring journey, and I sincerely apologize to anyone if I had disturbed your feeling or make you feel bad during that time.

First and foremost, my deepest appreciation for my family members who had supported me all the way, especially my dear mother, there is impossible that I can pay you back everything throughout all my life for your achievement.

Great gratitude towards these lecturers: Dr. Anees Ali, Yg Bahagia Datin Joriah and Mr. Loke, which they had helped me a lot in my academic and career.

Thanks all my management friends for the acquaintance: Mr. Lim, Hong Seng, Chyi Fang, Kenneth, George Davidson, Morna, Mahkala, Mei Ying, Chin Yao, Khai Lang, Gan Ling, Bee Ting, Pei Tee, Jerry Chai, Kuan Ru, Wan Ting, Yi Phang, Dorris, Paul, Shahibul, Timol and else. (sorry unable to recall all people at once and the wrong name spelling that I might make…:P)

And special thanks to USM education counseling society’s activities partners for the memorable acquaintance: Yong Fang, Kai Cheong, Kim Hou, Xiao Wei, Eng Hua, Yan Fen, Foong Yee, Soo Teing, Yee Jing, Yoke Kin, San Chew, and Chin Xiang. And the same also goes towards for the dear seniors and nice juniors as well.

Of course, and also appreciate other friends from USM and others local universities: Zhu Jian, Siao Ling, Fong Yee, Yong Han, Christin Cheah, Jin Jie, Wei Lok, Ngah Yun, Justin and else~

I wish you all a very bright future and good lucks always shine on you all the ways in your future, and allow me to say one more time again:“ THANK YOU!!!!!”