Bank Negara seen holding key rate as vaccine rollout fuels recovery hopes

All 22 economists surveyed by Reuters saw Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) keeping its overnight policy rate steady at 1.75% on Thursday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's central bank is likely to leave its key interest rate unchanged this week, a Reuters poll showed on Tuesday, as the country gradually reopens its economy amid a ramped-up COVID-19 vaccination drive.

While Malaysia's downgrade to its 2021 growth outlook last month fuelled market speculation of another rate cut, analysts said rising vaccination rates and continued strong external demand should support the economic recovery.