KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — The government's plan to reduce the price of RON95 petrol is widely seen as a positive step to ease living costs and support private consumption amid global economic uncertainties, said investment banks.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) has maintained its “overweight” call on Malaysia’s renewable energy (RE) sector for the second half of 2025 (2H 2025), supported by strong structural themes and a positive earnings growth cycle.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Bursa Malaysia opened slightly higher today, rebounding from yesterday’s decline as investors tracked an overnight rally on Wall Street.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 — Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB Research) has maintained its 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast at 4.0 per cent following escalating global trade risks.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) may consider lowering the overnight policy rate (OPR) by 25 basis points (bps) as a counter-cyclical measure should signs of growth weakness emerge in the coming months, said Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) today.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — The country’s resilient domestic spending and strong investment pipeline are expected to support the economy amid external headwinds from global trade uncertainties, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB).

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 — Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) has revised its 2024 gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for Malaysia upward to 5.0 per cent from 4.8 per cent previously.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) expects Malaysia’s economic growth to pick up in the second half of 2024 (2H 2024), benefitting from continued employment, supportive income measures by the government, rise in tourism activities, higher investments and exports rebound.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Malaysia's neutral position in the ongoing US-China trade war enables it to capitalise on trade diversions and attract foreign direct investments (FDIs), said Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB).

KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 — Although Malaysia’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) slowed in March at 2.4 per cent compared to 3.1 per cent in February, it had surpassed expectations with manufacturing recovery remaining intact, said Kenanga Research.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 — Research houses are positive on the utilities sector after the Ministry of Energy Transition and Public Utilities announced a slew of renewable energy (RE) initiatives and programmes last week.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — MIDF Research forecasts the average local crude palm oil (CPO) delivery price will close 4.4 per cent month-on-month higher at RM3,891 per tonne in October, due to moderate EL-Nino events.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — Research houses are of the view that the domestic financial system remains resilient against macroeconomic headwinds, supported by the Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) strong fundamentals.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 — Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) has maintained its ‘neutral’ stance on the plantation sector as planters are expected to report a mixed set of performance for the second quarter of 2023.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 — Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga IB) expects the labour market to remain robust and tight for the rest of the year, with the average unemployment rate projected at 3.5 per cent.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — IHH Healthcare Bhd has reaffirmed optimism on its overall prospects pending additional beds and initiatives aimed at enhancing segment margins, said Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB).

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — Every 25 basis points hike in the overnight policy rate (OPR) will widen the banking sector’s net interest margin (NIM) by five to six basis points, which in turn will lift earnings forecast by three to four per cent, Hong Leong Investment Bank said.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) will leverage the strong recovery of air travel as airlines accelerate their flight capacities back to pre-pandemic levels, said Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) today.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 — Research houses see the possibility of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) maintaining its overnight policy rate (OPR) rate at the current level for a longer time, following the pause in January and March.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 — Loan growth in December 2022 recorded an increase of 5.7 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y), slightly higher than the projected 5.0 - 5.5 per cent, said MIDF Research.