From the various Investment Banks’ Stockpicks of 2023, it seems that financial stocks, construction, oil & gas, telco, tourism, healthcare, etc. are among the popular themes.

Financial stocks like RHB, MAYBANK are top picks.

Tourism stocks like GENM, GENTING, AIRPORT are highly regarded. 

Construction or Property such as GAMUDA, SUNWAY are highly rated too.

Telcos like TM is a common pick.

Oil and gas names of ARMADA, YINSON are top picks.

Consumer stocks like BAUTO are among IBs favourites. 

Healthcare like IHH and DPHARMA are also among the shortlisted stocks by IBs.

Gloves stocks are noticeably absent from the various lists. 

Tech/Semiconductor & Plantation stocks were hardly seen, with the exception of INARI and KLK.  

The KLCI forecasts given by various houses are:

Maybank 1660

RHB-OSK 1660

TASecurities 1700

AmInvest 1380-1740

HongLeong 1580

Public Bank 1650

CGS-CIMB 1633

AffinHwang 1457

Kenanga 1640

Which means, the average KLCI forecast is 1616.

IMHO, a range of 1550-1650 would be reasonable, despite the doom and gloom news about a US recession, which I perceive to be largely priced in in 2022’s stockmarket performance. Mr. Market is forward-looking and discounts news which is already known to all.

CONCLUSION:

2023 seems to be a promising year, with majority of IBs having the view that 2023 will be more optimistic than 2022.

From the past 2 years, the stocks with the biggest gains have not been in the IBs lists. 

2023 will likely be the same. It will probably be some company which is under the radar. 

P.S. For some reason, I was unable to post any new articles nor post comments for the past 2 weeks. Thus, no article was written last week.

This issue has been resolved today.

My previous article posted today titled “6 Stocks on My Watchlist for 2023 (KLSE)” sounds outdated, because it was supposed to be posted 2 weeks ago.

Well, we should shake off unpleasant events to move forward.

In the same vein, we should shake off investing mistakes done this year.

Merry Xmas and happy holidays!

Disclaimer: This article is not tailored financial advice, but mere general stock sharing / observations. Please do further due diligence. The author disclaims all liabilities from readers.