Forex

Malaysia sees further upside for ringgit, 2026 growth forecast

The Malaysian ringgit, Asia's top performing currency in the past year, still has potential to gain as the economy continues to perform strongly, Second Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan said, indicating that growth forecasts may be revised higher.

Commodities

Gold, silver plunge on firm dollar, broad market selloff

Gold and silver prices fell sharply in a broader market selloff on Thursday, as an advance in the dollar to a near two-week high and signs of easing U.S.-China trade tensions added further pressure on the precious metals.

Banking

Choppy markets threaten ECB's 'good place' but rates still firmly on hold

FRANKFURT: The European Central Bank is all but certain to keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday and signal that no policy move is imminent, even if the euro's recent surge against the dollar fuels concerns that inflation might undershoot its target.

Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin slumps with key US$70,000 level in sight

SINGAPORE: Bitcoin was on the cusp of breaking below the key $70,000 level on Thursday as a slide in the world's largest cryptocurrency showed no signs of stopping.

Corporate News

Singapore Exchange logs record half-year profit, highlights growing IPO pipeline

Singapore Exchange reported its highest half-year profit on Thursday since going public in 2000, aided by strong trading volumes across all its business segments, and flagged robust stock market activity alongside a growing IPO pipeline.

Economy

Indonesia posts fastest economic growth rate in three years

JAKARTA: Indonesia reported its best economic growth rate in three years in 2025 as the expansion rate accelerated more than expected in the fourth quarter on robust household spending and strong investment, official data showed on Thursday.

Economy

China, APEC up cooperation packages

CHINA stands ready to deepen cooperation with other APEC economies on cross-border e-commerce, green trade and agricultural product market access to expand opportunities through inclusive opening and pragmatic collaboration, said a senior customs official on Wednesday.

Corporate News

Solarvest says module prices 'locked-in' amid rising costs

KUALA LUMPUR: Solarvest Holdings Bhd says it does not expect to be significantly impacted by the rising costs of solar panels as it had inked a 2GW blanket order with suppliers at a locked-in price in the second half of 2025.

Economy

Malaysia's services producer price index up 1% in 4Q - DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Services Producer Price Index (SPPI) rose one per cent in the fourth quarter (4Q) of 2025, maintaining the same rate of increase for the third consecutive quarter, said Statistics Department Malaysia (DOSM) today.

Commodities

Oil falls 2% on easing supply concern after US, Iran agree to talks

TOKYO/SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell about 2% on Thursday after the U.S. and Iran agreed to hold talks in Oman on Friday, easing concerns that a potential military conflict between them could disrupt supply from the key Middle East-producing region.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia broadly lower at midday amid global tech rout

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia remained in profit-taking mode as an AI-driven sell-off in Asian markets sent traders fleeing to safety.

Corporate News

TSMC CEO flags 3-nanometre chip production in Japan, investment reported at US$17bil

TOKYO/TAIPEI: TSMC plans to mass produce advanced 3-nanometre chips in Kumamoto in southern Japan, TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said on Thursday, an investment local media reported was worth $17 billion as the Taiwanese firm seeks to meet soaring demand for AI chips.

Economy

Indonesia Q4 GDP growth beats forecast, highest since 2022

JAKARTA: Indonesia's economy grew 5.39% on an annual basis in the October-December quarter of 2025, official data showed on Thursday, above a forecast by analysts and the highest rate since the third quarter of 2022.

Markets

Asia shares slump as global tech selloff spooks investors, silver tumbles again

SYDNEY: Asian stocks slumped on Thursday as concerns about the exploding costs of AI investment encouraged a rotation out of tech, while a renewed slide in silver squeezed leveraged positions that were already under water.

Aviation

AirAsia introduces Kaohsiung-Osaka route

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Malaysia has introduced a new Kaohsiung-Osaka route, as part of its Kuala Lumpur-Kaohsiung service, marking the next phase of the airline's network growth across North Asia.

Forex

Ringgit rises on US$ consolidation, oil spike

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit rose against the US dollar and major currencies on Thursday, supported by domestic strength and a rebound in oil prices, as the greenback consolidated after mixed US economic data.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia holds firm following US tech sell-off

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia opened to a cautious trading mood on Thursday as a sell-off in US tech equities dampened risk sentiment for equities.

Corporate News

Trading ideas: IOIPG, Binastra, Sunway, IJM, CelcomDigi, Nestle, Southern Cable, Oasis, SBS, Kee Ming, F&N, AME REIT

KUALA LUMPUR: Here is a recap of the announcements that made headlines in Corporate Malaysia.

Economy

Fed's Cook says she is focused on inflation risks

FEDERAL Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on Wednesday said she is more concerned about stalled progress on inflation than a weakening labor market, a strong signal that she will not support another interest-rate cut until price pressures that built last year due to tariffs begin to recede.

Markets

Wall St ends down as AI worries slam tech stocks

US stocks ended lower on Wednesday, with losses in Advanced Micro Devices, Palantir and other technology companies, as investors worried about pricey valuations and whether Wall Street's AI rally has reached its peak.