With an improving global macroeconomic backdrop and relatively cheap valuations after a torrid 2018, the omens are looking better for Southeast Asian stocks next year.A likely pause in the Federal Reserve’s tightening cycle is already easing pressure on regional currencies, while lower oil prices are a boon for most markets.

Indonesia’s worst equity rout in five years has got strategists asking the usual question after a slump: Are stocks cheap enough to buy?For Jahanzeb Naseer, the head of Indonesia research at Credit Suisse Group AG, investors should selectively pick shares now that the benchmark gauge is near at its lowest level since October. Foreign investor outflows have reached 1 percent of the market’s value, a past indicator that selling may taper, he said.

Most Asian equities fell as traders await US and European central bank meetings this week for further clues on the 2018 policy outlook. The dollar was steady and oil extended gains above $58 a barrel.The Nikkei 225 Stock Average retreated from a 26-year high, and Hong Kong and Chinese shares slipped, after US stock indexes hit fresh highs overnight. Most major American gauges advanced, led by more than 1 percent increases in media, telephone and technology-hardware shares.

Asian markets rallied on Friday, bringing a volatile week to a positive end as tech firms extended their rebound while investors tracked advances on Wall Street following reports Donald Trump is planning to unveil a big-spending public works plan.Global equities have struggled this week, hit by profit-taking, fears over the progress of a probe into Russia's US election meddling, stumbling Brexit talks and President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.The issues

Asian stocks were poised to rise following a broad-based rally in US equities and as a weaker yen looked set to buoy Japanese shares. The pound jumped on speculation that Ireland and Britain were close to a Brexit deal.Futures for stock markets in Tokyo, Sydney and Hong Kong climbed. The S&P 500 Index ended a four-day losing streak, with industrial and consumer discretionary shares among the best performers.

Asian stocks are poised for the longest losing streak in two years as the technology, mining, consumer and industrial sectors led declines. Japan equities fell sharply, as did Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index. The Australian dollar and bond yields tumbled as traders dialed back expectations for higher interest rates after growth missed estimates.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index is set to fall for eight days, making it the longest run of losses since 2015.

Indonesia’s stock exchange is having trouble luring retail investors. Their solution? Target the millennials.While the participation of individual investors in Indonesia is low compared with other Asian countries, those aged between 21 and 30 account for 26 percent, the biggest share of any age group, according to data from Indonesia Central Securities Deposit.

Singapore’s stock market is finally getting some love again.With almost two months of the year to run, the Straits Times Index has already notched up its best annual performance since 2012 amid an economic recovery and a stronger currency.The city-state’s equity funds received some two billion dollars in 10 straight months of inflows, the most annually since 2007, according to data from asset allocation tracking company EPFR Global.

Singapore seafood hawkers have been competing for decades in the city-state’s notoriously cutthroat culinary scene. Now they’re vying for the favor of stock market investors.No Signboard Holdings Ltd., known for its signature white pepper crab dish, started taking orders this week for an initial public offering that could value the company at as much as 95 million dollars.