A customer takes photos in entrance of a picket dragon themed sculpture exhibited to have a good time the upcoming Lunar New 12 months contained in the flower dome at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore on February 1, 2024.
Roslan Rahman | Afp | Getty Photographs
Thousands and thousands of Chinese language world wide are celebrating the Lunar New 12 months, ringing within the 12 months of the Dragon which is commonly seen as auspicious and affluent within the Chinese language Zodiac.
A brand new yr additionally brings completely different fortunes, some Chinese language consider, with many turning to seek the advice of “fengshui” masters to find out what’s to return.
Fengshui, which is actually translated as “wind-water” in Mandarin, is an historical Chinese language apply which seeks to take care of a steadiness between people and their atmosphere. The 5 key parts — wooden, fireplace, earth, metallic, and water — are believed to be basic in bringing about concord and a few are turning to the traditional artwork to foretell the way forward for financial exercise.
In Maybank Funding’s fengshui report for 2024, its head of analysis Thilan Wickramasinghe, together with fengshui grasp Ken Koh, check out which sectors will outperform and which is able to face headwinds within the 12 months of the Dragon.
‘Wooden dragon’
2024 is the yr of the wooden dragon and can be “distinctive,” in keeping with the report. It is going to be characterised by all “yang” energies, that are symbolic of masculine, rash, and far-reaching selections.
The brand new yr additionally signifies the beginning of a brand new 20-year fengshui cycle, through which the hearth aspect can be dominant. This may favor industries that fall below the hearth aspect, corresponding to know-how, synthetic intelligence, vitality, and drugs.
Fireplace, in keeping with Koh, is an emblem of financial exercise, confidence and optimism.
Whereas the worldwide financial system is more likely to be average within the first half of the yr, companies in fireplace aspect sectors corresponding to know-how, drugs, leisure and journey will possible do properly from the beginning of the yr. Maybank does additionally level out the insurance coverage sector can be a “star performer” this yr.
“Nonetheless, from June 2024, curiosity will put the shine again into enterprise sentiments. Consequently, the inventory market and equities will see a wave of hope and confidence, resulting in mergers, acquisitions and preliminary public provides.”
Nonetheless, they warn that for industries below the hearth aspect, the primary yr into a brand new interval of energies “all the time means adjustments and painful transitions.” As such, new gamers are anticipated to enter, whereas others will fall out of the hearth aspect companies throughout the yr.
Earth, metallic and fireplace
Sectors below the earth aspect will even profit from the dominant fireplace aspect, Maybank mentioned, figuring out sector winners as waste administration, actual property, information warehousing and concrete farming.
“Regardless of rising rates of interest and inflationary prices, the dominant Earth industries have proven resilience and proceed to interrupt new grounds,” the Maybank report mentioned.
In keeping with Maybank, with the promise of easing rates of interest, decrease inflation and good fiscal administration in 2024, the assist for earth industries, particularly property, will proceed to rise.
The rise of fireplace energies within the subsequent 20 years will even present assist for earth industries to evolve into sustainable companies, the report mentioned, and these companies will contribute to society through using know-how and synthetic intelligence.
Most notably, in industries below the metallic aspect — corresponding to banking, engineering, mining and automotive — the wooden aspect can be outstanding and can convey prosperity to the metallic industries.
“Those that are properly knowledgeable and brave can be favored by fortune. The wealth potential can be revealed in July and can peak in November 2024,” the report acknowledged.
Maybank mentioned this yr presents an ideal funding alternative for individuals who are prepared to select up truthful values within the metallic industries, including that the primary half of the yr supplies the perfect alternatives. Nonetheless, investments can take as much as 5 years to be totally realized.
Water and wooden sectors wrestle
Whereas sectors within the earth, metallic and fireplace parts flourish, some industries below the water and wooden parts might face challenges within the 12 months of the Dragon.
2024 might convey challenges for companies below the water aspect, however they might nonetheless stay worthwhile as they’ve the flexibility to adapt to completely different situations, the Maybank report mentioned.
Notably, the report identified that the transport sector will face some difficulties as a consequence of problematic transport lanes.
Different companies below the water aspect — corresponding to airways, cruise operators, lodging suppliers, and theme parks — will even face challenges as a consequence of altering shopper calls for, however are nonetheless anticipated to thrive all year long.
Individually, companies corresponding to marine fisheries and aquaculture farming will see a rise in productiveness and manufacturing to satisfy worldwide demand, which is able to add to their backside line.
Lastly, wooden aspect industries are anticipated to wrestle in 2024, because of the sturdy affect of the hearth, earth and metallic parts. However some shiny spots nonetheless exist — and among the sector winners embody schooling, fund administration, and household workplaces.
In distinction with the optimistic forecast for the opposite industries, “wooden industries will face difficulties within the second half of the yr, and people who are on the lookout for prospects will need to have the required sources to succeed in their objectives,” in keeping with the report.
“This may end in a whole lot of work, competitors, and useful resource drain,” the report added. As such, companies within the wooden trade ought to concentrate on issues like sharing experiences, data transparency, and delivering fast outcomes.
