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Stunning 4Q finish for Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s economy looks primed to smash expectations, with recent high-frequency data suggesting the growth appears capable of topping 6% in the fourth quarter of financial year 2025 (4Q25). The strong momentum may carry into...
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Foreign fund interest set to continue
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is benefitting from a global trend which focuses on switching money from expensive US stocks to much cheaper stocks which are found in developing-country markets. Hong Kong billionaire and chairman of family office Cheah...
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Khazanah weathers 2025 volatility with 5.2% returns
KUALA LUMPUR: Khazanah Nasional Bhd is keeping its focus on key emerging markets such as India and China, as returns from foreign public market investments outperformed other asset classes in 2025. Khazanah managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan...
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IPI to slow this year after surpassing expectations
PETALING JAYA: The industrial production index (IPI), which beat consensus expectations in December, is expected to lose its momentum this year, amid more pronounced impact from US tariffs and external headwinds on exports. December 2025’s IPI further...
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Tech upcycle cushions industrial growth
PETALING JAYA: Despite external headwinds, economists are positive on Malaysia’s industrial production growth in 2026, underpinned by strong domestic demand and the global technology sector upcycle. Although there could be a slight moderation in...
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COVER FEATURE
The government’s base medical and health insurance/takaful plan has faced criticism from health experts who argue that the priority should be strengthening the public healthcare sector, as around 80% of Malaysians lack medical insurance. The worry is...
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Base MHIT to cover pre-existing illnesses
KUALA LUMPUR: Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions will be offered coverage under the base medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) plan, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad says. Dzulkefly said the government is concerned...
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Advancing the digital economy
KUALA LUMPUR: Menara Merdeka 118’s official launch as Malaysia’s first MD Nexus has prompted about 50 other companies to seek out the same status. The MD Nexus recognition is led by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC) accredits strategic...
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Bursa eyes high-quality IPOS
PETALING JAYA: As Bursa Malaysia seeks larger, higher-quality initial public offerings (IPOS) to meet its Rm28bil market capitalisation target this year, market observers say execution, not ambition, will determine whether the exchange can...
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Caution persists for O&G services
PETALING JAYA: Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (PETRONAS) latest Activity Outlook for 2026 to 2028 reinforces analysts’ cautious view on Malaysia’s oil and gas (O&G) services sector, with activity expected to remain uneven and several upstream segments facing...
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Bond market to attract inflows
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian bond market is set to continue its resiliency in 2026, with foreign investors flocking into ringgit bonds, especially long-tenured government bonds. Experts attributed this positive momentum to favourable domestic and...
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COVER FEATURE
The Rm329bil tourism receipts target for this year under Visit Malaysia 2026 is ambitious but increasingly achievable, with Rm186.4bil recorded in the first eight months of 2025. The upside is expected to spill over into equities, benefitting...
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PETRONAS to safeguard production supply
PETALING JAYA: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) seeks to sustain domestic hydrocarbon production close to two million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), amid maturing fields, rising costs and growing energy security concerns. According to the...
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Stronger ringgit to help M’sia cross high-income line
PETALING JAYA: As Malaysia continues to celebrate the appreciation of the ringgit, especially since the local note has whizzed below the psychological RM4.00 to US$1 barrier earlier this week, it is perhaps sobering to consider what this means on a...
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Better trade figures likely this year
KUALA LUMPUR: A stronger ringgit is not seen as an impediment to trade growth, as the government still forecasts it to grow from its present record levels by up to another 5% in local currency terms this year. The increasing value-added nature and...
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How long can the ringgit keep rising?
PETALING JAYA: The ringgit touched the RM3.96 mark against the US dollar yesterday, a level not seen since June 2018. This keeps the ringgit as Asia’s best performer, outperforming major currencies including the Japanese yen and Singapore...
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Low oil prices no threat to deficit goals
PETALING JAYA: The current low crude oil price, due to the oversupply in the global energy market, will not derail Malaysia’s fiscal deficit target for 2026 and beyond, economists say. They attributed this to the government’s reduced dependence on...
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COVER FEATURE
Malaysia is estimated to attract about Us$40bil (Rm162bil) in data centre (DC) investments by 2030. The spike in DCS is alarming, with some government officials taking a second look at matters. Should a moratorium be imposed? Is a bubble in the making?
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Growth forecast to cool in 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: The economy may be heading into a slower growth phase this year, but Ambank Group chief economist Firdaos Rosli says the moderation reflects a “normalisation” after last year’s front-loading boost rather than a sharp downturn, with...
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Strata overhang to ease if prudence continues
KUALA LUMPUR: The property overhang situation could ease further if more developers adopt a cautious approach and be more discerning in their launches. A growing number of property developers have taken more proactive steps in recent times to conduct...
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Charting next growth phase with ROAR30
KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has unveiled its new five-year strategy, ROAR30, which will focus on delivering shareholder value through continued improvements in the lender’s return on equity (ROE). The strategy, which will run until...
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Alliance Bank confident of standalone growth
KUALA LUMPUR: Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd has assured investors that it is well-positioned to grow independently and organically, while denying knowledge of any potential merger and acquisition (M&A) exercise. Its chief executive officer Kellee Kam...
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Ringgit strength to be short-lived
PETALING JAYA: Optimism surrounding the ringgit may be short-lived, with Maybank Investment Bank Bhd expecting the currency to weaken in the second half of financial year 2026 (2H26) amid a stabilising US dollar and shifting global market...
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Is a bull run in the pipeline?
PETALING JAYA: The “sell America” trade and improved investor sentiment looks likely to support Bursa Malaysia in the immediate future as the local benchmark plays catch-up to regional markets. The money moving into banks like Malayan Banking Bhd,...
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Kinergy powers up
PETALING JAYA: Kinergy Advancement Bhd is emerging as a new name in Malaysia’s independent power producer (IPP) space. Having built its reputation as a clean energy contractor, the group is now pushing deeper into asset ownership, including by...
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COVER FEATURE
Bursa Malaysia had a banner year for listings in 2025, chalking up 60 debuts – the most in over a decade – and nearly Rm30bil in fresh market capitalisation, though initial public offering proceeds eased to Rm6bil. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir...
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Data centre hype meets reality
PETALING JAYA: The local data centre play is drawing closer scrutiny, as policymakers reassess its broader economic impact while industry players flag mounting financial risks. Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican said the government...
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Confidence booster
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s latest reforms and relief measures outlined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his New Year message are expected to support business sentiment, consumer spending and economic growth in 2026, economists and analysts...
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Growth trajectory intact
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has the right economic policy mix to face global headwinds in 2026. However, medium and long-term measures, economists said, should be adopted to ensure it has sufficient ammunition to weather the challenges in the event the...
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COVER FEATURE
The year 2026 will be a decisive economic test for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. With the next election in view, Malaysians are increasingly focused on income growth, cost of living and job security. Looking ahead, execution will matter more...
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Ringgit rally likely to place pressure on VM26 goals
PETALING JAYA: A stronger ringgit may be good for imports and help lower costs of inputs for domestic businesses, but may not necessarily work to the tourism industry’s favour, when looking at Thailand’s case, where a combination of a stronger baht and...
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FBM KLCI ends 2025 on firmer footing
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian stock market ended 2025 on firmer footing, even as foreign fund outflows and external macroeconomic uncertainties lingered through much of the year. This was supported by a strengthening ringgit, economic growth and easing...
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Can Bursa’s outperformers stay ahead?
PETALING JAYA: As the broader market navigated a year marked by shifting interest-rate expectations, currency volatility, and policy resets, performances on Bursa Malaysia were far from uniform. Selected sectoral indices – such as plantation,...
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Building momentum across sectors
PETALING JAYA: While real estate experts remain largely optimistic about the outlook of the property market in 2026, they expect the year to see its fair share of outperformers and strugglers. Zerin Properties chief executive officer Previn Singhe...
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COVER FEATURE
If 2025 was a marathon, Bursa Malaysia lagged behind, with the FBM KLCI posting just a 2% gain. Analysts warn 2026 could be similar unless corporate performance and market appeal improve to attract investors. A firm ringgit, attractive market...
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Foreign funds set to U-turn into Bursa
PETALING JAYA: After enduring a bruising year in 2025, with net withdrawals by foreign investors crossing Rm21bil, the Malaysian stock market may be heading into a better year. Analysts are growing more optimistic that foreign funds will return to...
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Import-heavy sectors to gain from stronger ringgit
PETALING JAYA: The ringgit’s rally against the greenback is expected to boost profit prospects for import-heavy domestic industries, while weighing on exporters through adverse currency translation. The ringgit climbed to another new high at...
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M&A activity set to soar in 2026
PETALING JAYA: The domestic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape is set to see more deals flowing into 2026 compared to 2025, as global trade tensions ease and investors set their sights on South-east Asia, including Malaysia. Technology-related...
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LIFESTYLE
Alan Howard planted a flag in Abu Dhabi in 2023, the opening act of his eponymous hedge fund’s campaign to win over the United Arab Emirates’ deep-pocketed investors. Between setting up with just 15 people in Abu Dhabi and growing that number 10-fold,...
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Aussie high for Gamuda
PETALING JAYA: Gamuda Bhd capped the year with a significant expansion of its Australian footprint after securing three major infrastructure and energy-related contracts worth a combined Rm10.7bil, pushing the group’s outstanding order book to a record...
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Top Glove ramps up competitiveness
PETALING JAYA: Top Glove Corp Bhd, the world’s largest rubber glove manufacturer, believes its cost-control initiatives have lowered expenses to the extent that it is now on par and competitive with Chinese producers. In fact, said group executive...
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FBM KLCI tipped for rebound in 2026
PETALING JAYA: After a bruising 2025 marked by heavy foreign outflows and policy uncertainty, Malaysia’s equity market is shaping up for a more constructive 2026, anchored by improving earnings visibility, resilient domestic demand and undemanding...
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Higher loan growth likely in 2026
PETALING JAYA: Amid the tough operating environment, exacerbated by tariff uncertainties, global trade risk and geopolitical tensions, the banking sector is poised to remain on a strong footing heading towards 2026. With the country’s relatively...
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COVER FEATURE
Malaysia’s retail grocery and convenience store sector may appear simple on the surface, but it is a fiercely competitive, crowded space that rewards only the most capable operators. Despite strong investor interest driven by its cash-generating model,...
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REITS to gain from rate cuts
PETALING JAYA: While the US Federal Reserve (Fed) had surprised few with its third 25-basis-point (bps) rate cut this year, experts diverged on whether asset rotation into Malaysian real estate investment trusts (REITS) due to the lower fund rates is a...
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AI, digitalisation to drive tourism industry
KUALA LUMPUR: Players within the tourism sector are gearing up for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), buoyed by rising optimism across the industry. While Covid-19 had once dealt a major blow to the sector, stakeholders now believe that tourism numbers are...
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Bond inflows to sustain
PETALING JAYA: Appetite for Malaysian debt securities is seen to be sustained on a strong and favourable outlook, anchored mainly by expectations of potential cuts to the United States’ interest rates. Foreign interest into the local debt market is...
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Cautious outlook for manufacturing sector in 1H26
PETALING JAYA: Economists are positive on the country’s manufacturing activities as the year ends, but some are taking a cautious stance towards this trend moving into the first half of next year due to looming headwinds. The electrical and...
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PERSPECTIVES
The framework is there, the updates are rolling out, and with the right mix of policy, innovation, and maybe a few solar panels, Malaysia could soon hit “run” on a fully sustainable data ecosystem. What’s left is implementation to catch up with the...
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Ringgit to hold firm into next year
PETALING JAYA: Economists and foreign exchange (forex) watchers continue to be bullish on the prospects of the ringgit heading into 2026, as the local note strengthened to RM4.11 against the US dollar yesterday, its strongest level in more than 14...
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Large foreign fund outflow temporary situation
PETALING JAYA: As foreign fund outflows from the stock market crossed Rm20bil in just 11 months of 2025 (11M25), analysts have warned the selling spree may well continue into next year. As it stands, foreign investors have been largely net sellers of...
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Steady showing set to continue
PETALING JAYA: After an overall in-line third quarter (3Q25) results season, Malaysia’s corporate earnings are expected to improve quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) in 4Q25, with analysts projecting steady earnings growth. Looking further ahead, analysts...
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Gains likely this month
PETALING JAYA: As the dust settles on the just concluded third-quarter earnings season, the FBM KLCI is seen to be able to sustain much of its gains moving forward as the year closes. An even clearer picture could emerge eventually in the final...
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Corporate gains lift sentiment
PETALING JAYA: Corporate results for the third quarter ended September (3Q25) have ignited optimism for sustained positive momentum heading into the new year, but analysts remain cautious about the outlook of the companies listed on Bursa...
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COVER FEATURE
Singapore officials are urging for DBS Group Holdings Ltd, the country’s largest bank, to build a stronger presence in the Johor– Singapore Special Economic Zone to support Singaporean companies operating there. As a result, discussions between both...
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Sime Darby’s 1Q26 revenue at Rm18bil
PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Bhd expects its diversified portfolio will continue to show its resilience as geopolitical and trade tensions keep business conditions subdued. The conglomerate noted its UMW division could stand out amid headwinds in some...
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Alliance Bank posts highest earnings in 13 quarters
PETALING JAYA: Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd’s shares hit the highest level in more than three months after it announced its strongest net profit in 13 quarters, amid renewed market talk that Singapore’s largest bank may likely emerge as a major...
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TM posts strong profit growth in 3Q
PETALING JAYA: Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) expects to close 2025 on a steady footing, heading into the final quarter with a priority on protecting profitability while investing strategically in future-ready infrastructure. Group chief executive officer...
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Cheery 4Q in store
PETALING JAYA: The retail sector is set to close the fourth quarter (4Q) on a high, supported by strong festive shopping, year-end promotions, holiday travel and improved tourist arrivals. Typically “the strongest quarter” for the retail industry,...
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Compromise plan crucial
PETALING JAYA: An abrupt implementation of Sabah’s right to 40% of net revenue derived from the state could likely be detrimental for Malaysia – a country that has already been navigating budget deficits for 28 straight years. Economists also warned...
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CPO output set to beat target
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s crude palm oil (CPO) production for this year could surpass the Malaysian Palm Oil Board’s (MPOB) earlier forecast of 19.5 million tonnes, following unexpectedly strong output in October, according to director-general Datuk...
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IPI for September comes in stronger
PETALING JAYA: The shifting sands of global trade will continue to affect Malaysia’s exports outlook and impact overall economic growth going into 2026. This is despite the better-than-expected industrial output for September as measured through the...
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Robust earnings likely in 3Q
PETALING JAYA: The upcoming financial reporting season for the third quarter of 2025 (3Q25) is anticipated to see solid performances from property developers, underpinned by strong sales registered during that period. RHB Investment Bank analyst Loong...
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CAPITAL MARKETS
Thailand’s industrial estate sector is poised for strong growth in the coming years. This optimism is fuelled by a sharp rise in foreign direct investment as the country cements its position as a key alternative hub to China. The implication is clear:...
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OPR retained at 2.75%
PETALING JAYA: After months of cautious language and watchful patience, Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) latest statement hints at a gradual shift in tone, one that changes from wary to quietly more hopeful. The 10-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)...
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SD Guthrie’s nine-month earnings top Rm2bil mark
PETALING JAYA: Plantation giant SD Guthrie Bhd believes crude palm oil (CPO) prices will be supported in the coming weeks by expectations of tighter supply, as the industry enters a seasonally low output cycle. Despite palm oil’s narrowing price...
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IOI Corp to focus on improving yields
PUTRAJAYA: IOI Corp Bhd is exploring plans to turn portions of its aged plantation land into large-scale solar farms, as the palm oil producer looks to diversify its earnings base and boost its renewable energy portfolio. The company has identified...
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Rates likely to remain unchanged
PETALING JAYA: The overnight policy rate (OPR) is likely to remain at the current level of 2.75%. This is so given that there are high expectations that gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year would be able to hit at the upper end of the...
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Resilient loan growth
PETALING Despite a tough economic environment, Malaysian banks are expected to weather the headwinds and show resiliency next year, thanks to the sector’s healthy asset quality, strong provisions, and robust capitalisation. Banking experts said...
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COVER
Last month, the Hire Purchase (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed, abolishing Rule of 78 and flat interest rates for hire purchase loans. The market has welcomed the change, calling it long overdue. The Rule of 78 burdened borrowers by charging higher...
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Capital A on track for PN17 exit in December
KUALA LUMPUR: Capital A Bhd has cleared a key hurdle to be lifted out of its Practice Note 17 (PN17) status by the end of this year. This is following all conditions required for the disposal of its airline business to its sister company Airasia X Bhd...
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Cautious optimism outlines 3Q results season
PETALING JAYA: Domestic demand and tariff clarity are key factors that could anchor improved third-quarter (3Q25) performance for companies listed on Bursa Malaysia, analysts say, as the corporate results season beckons. Notably, the early release of...
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M&A deals to gain momentum
KUALA LUMPUR: The plantation sector will likely see more privatisation or merger and acquisition (M&A) deals moving into 2026, analysts say. Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) Research noted that M&A activities in the industry have gained momentum...
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US trade deal brings certainty and strain
PETALING JAYA: Economists say the newly formalised trade agreement with the United States brings much-needed clarity and certainty for exporters and investors, even as it opens the door to greater competition for local producers. They noted that while...
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