Oct 3 (Reuters) - India and Malaysian equities were the most
expensive in Asia on Oct. 2, based on their price-to-earnings
valuation metrics, according to Refinitiv.
Most other regional markets saw a rise in valuations over
the past month, thanks to some easing U.S-China trade tensions
and rate cuts by major central banks.
A corporate tax cut announced by India's finance minister
last month to boost manufacturing and revive its weakening
economy propelled Indian shares higher.
As of Wednesday, their P/E valuations increased to 16.42
from 15.98 a month earlier. Indian equities benchmark .NSEI
rose 4.1% last month.
Malaysia's price-to-earnings ratio was 15.66, second highest
in Asia, even though their shares registered a 1.75% decline in
September.
"Despite the falling market in recent months,(FTSE Bursa
Malaysia index's) valuations have not improved because forward
earnings estimates have collapsed: earnings are now expected to
contract by 4% against a 1% contraction as of end June." said
brokerage Jefferies in a report on Tuesday.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares .MIAP00000PUS
gained 2.13% during September and its forward 12-month
price-to-earnings ratio rose to a five-month high of 13.14 times
at the end of last month. The August level was 12.78.
China, Hong Kong and South Korea were the lowest-cost shares
in the region, with P/E multiples of about 11 or less, according
to Refinitiv.
Regional shares still trade at a slight discount to their
global peers, the data showed.
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Valuation of Asian equities https://tmsnrt.rs/2oEt0Du
MSCI Asia and World forward PE https://tmsnrt.rs/2nQhPaV
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