Asia confronts fresh inflation, fiscal threats as oil tops $100
ASIA's economies will face a fresh test of resilience after oil again crossed the $100 threshold, with inflation running hot and fiscal and monetary policy already tight.
Malaysia's wholesale, retail trade sales rise to RM170.5bil in July 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's wholesale and retail trade recorded sales of RM170.5 billion in July 2026, a nine per cent increase year-on-year (y-o-y), said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
Umno to restore GST if returns to power, says Ahmad Zahid
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno plans to bring back the Goods and Services Tax (GST) if it returns to heading the federal government, with Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi rejecting the proposed idea of a hybrid GST-SST system.
Vietnam targets digital raw material mapping by 2030
More than 70% of supported agricultural, forestry and fishery raw material areas are expected to complete digital mapping and basic data standardisation by 2030 under a scheme for 2026 to 2030 issued by the Agriculture and Environment Ministry.
Budget 2027 allocation likely at RM438bil
RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) estimates that the total federal government allocation for Budget 2027 will be RM437.8bil.
ECB to raise rates again as Iran war fans inflation
The European Central Bank (ECB) is set to raise borrowing costs for the second time since the Iran war sent energy prices soaring, with inflation locked well above target and the region's economy proving surprisingly robust.
AI and chip upcycle to fuel tech companies
There is still further upside for the technology sector, supported by the ongoing semiconductor upcycle, artificial intelligence (AI)-related demand and improving order visibility, with its current premium valuation well justified by strong earnings growth prospects.
Industrial activity expected to moderate
Malaysia's industrial activity is expected to moderate through the second half of 2026 (2H26), although resilient manufacturing demand should continue to support economic growth.
BoJ signals tightening as inflation fears grow
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will continue to raise its benchmark interest rate to ensure that the price trend doesn't exceed 2%, board member Kazuyuki Masu says, in comments that support widespread expectations that the bank will raise borrowing costs next week.
Chile’s central bank sees deeper slowdown
Chile's central bank cut its forecast for economic growth this year for the third time, just hours after the institution held its interest rate steady and warned a period of malaise may continue for longer than expected.
