Economy

A delicate balance for biodiesel mandate

Malaysia's move to raise its biodiesel blending mandate from B10 to B15, starting with an initial rollout of B12 blend, can likely be supportive of crude palm oil (CPO) price structurally as export availability is reduced.

Corporate News

Locked-in feed costs an advantage for Teo Seng Capital

Teo Seng Capital Bhd's locked-in feed costs provide a distinct competitive advantage and earnings predictability for the immediate horizon, despite heightened geopolitical volatility in West Asia and subsequent disruptions to global shipping.

Economy

Yellen says one Fed rate cut possible this year

Former US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sees one interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed) as possible this year, even as the Iran war creates supply shocks in the global economy that put pressure on inflation.

Corporate News

Malaysia’s biggest solar company sees jump in demand on Iran war

Malaysian firm Solarvest Holdings Bhd is looking to speed up delivery of its large-scale projects to meet a rise in demand for renewables as the war in Iran drives up the cost of fossil fuels.  

Economy

Mideast tensions push investors to Jakarta

Investment and Downstream Minister Rosan Roeslani says that escalating tensions in the Middle East are leaving foreign investors to seek safer destinations, and some are considering shifting their focus to Indonesia due to its political stability.

Economy

OJK to exclude small loans from credit score database

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) is introducing several financial support measures to accelerate the implementation of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship three million homes programme.

Corporate News

Hyundai Motor bets on China‑tailored Ioniq EVs in bold push

Hyundai Motor is making its boldest attempt in years to win back Chinese consumers, betting on China-tailored Ioniq electric vehicles (EV) to fuel a comeback in the world's largest automotive market.

Insight

Private bankers in Taiwan win big paydays

Taiwan's private banks are grappling with a talent crunch in their bid to target the island's growing US$7 trillion pool of wealth, forcing firms to boost compensation as they struggle to fill positions.

Economy

Eurozone drifting from central bank’s baseline

President Christine Lagarde says higher energy costs have pushed the eurozone away from the European Central Bank's (ECB) base-case outlook, though not enough yet to warrant leaning towards raising interest rates.

Insight

The commodities supercycle is here. How might investors participate?

Commodities supercycles can reshape markets for years, if not decades. We appear to be in one again, as the Iran war has amplified several long-term bullish trends.

Economy

Trump’s tariff rates could be restored by July

President Donald Trump's tariffs may be restored by July to the levels in place before the Supreme Court struck down many of his levies, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says.

Economy

Malaysia augments chip ecosystem amid uncertainty

Malaysia is strengthening its semiconductor ecosystem amid geopolitical uncertainties, with semiconductors now increasingly viewed as a matter of national interest.

Markets

Higher oil prices, higher yields, no rate cuts, no problem for US stocks

The US stock market has now nudged above where it was when the Iran war began over six weeks ago, which investors say is a reflection of bets that the conflict will not be long-lasting.

Support Line

SupportLine

Pekat Group Bhd is gaining steam after four straight days of gains that has seen it break clear of the uppermost 200-day SMA line.

Banking

Vietnam bank credit supports 1Q GDP growth

Credit in the first quarter of 2026 surged by 3.18% against late last year to 19.18 quadrillion dong, supporting Vietnam's gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7.83%, Pham Thanh Ha, deputy governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), says.

Economy

China’s growth seen rebounding despite Iran war

China's growth likely rebounded in the first quarter of 2026, offering policymakers time to assess the impact of the Iran war on the world's second-largest economy before stepping in with stimulus.

Economy

Energy shock ripples through the economy

The energy shock from the Iran war will cascade down the Singapore economy in direct and indirect ways, with businesses in construction, real estate and food & beverage (F&B) among those also likely to face higher costs, on top of transport operators.

Corporate News

Asset monetisation to bolster IOIPG dividends

IOI Properties Group Bhd (IOIPG) is poised for a stronger dividend profile over the next few years, underpinned by asset-monetisation initiatives and improving earnings visibility across its key markets, while the upcoming listing of the company's real estate investment trust (REIT) together with recent land disposals will unlock value and bolster shareholder returns.

Corporate News

Iran war puts Hibiscus Petroleum in sweet spot

Every US$10 increase in Brent crude oil prices per barrel could lift Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd's share price by about 34 sen, estimates Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research.

Corporate News

Quadra nears deal to buy assets from Brasilia bank

Brazilian independent asset manager Quadra Capital is nearing the acquisition of 15 billion reais (US$2.99bil) of assets from state-owned Banco de Brasília (BRB) that were previously held by liquidated lender Banco Master, say three people familiar with the talks.