BI will likely focus on improving transmission of rate cuts to lending rates by supporting market liquidity

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — While most sectors are expected to deliver flattish earnings in the second quarter of 2025 (2Q25), Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) said it anticipates positive momentum in the construction, healthcare, property, oil and gas (O&G), and utilities sectors.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) expects Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to lower its overnight policy rate (OPR) by 25 basis points (bps) at the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting to be held on July 9, 2025.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — Berjaya Food Bhd is expected to remain weighed down by overhang from geopolitical tensions, which will continue to dampen its performance in the near term, said Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB).

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 — Asean’s data centre demand outlook remained positive as the region is still in the early stages of the data centre build cycle, according to Maybank Investment Bank (IB) Bhd.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 — Analysts have maintained a positive outlook for Bursa Malaysia Bhd following the company’s strong earnings in its financial year 2024.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 — Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) believes the Malaysian consumer sector is poised for a strong year in 2025, driven by robust macroeconomic factors and government assistance that are expected to boost disposable income, improving consumer sentiment and spending capacity.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) has raised its 2024 and 2025 real gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts to 4.7 per cent from 4.4 previously, and 5.1 per cent versus 5.0, respectively, as a result of the better-than-expected first-quarter growth (1Q 2024).

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is expected to maintain the overnight policy rate (OPR) at 3.0 per cent throughout 2024, said research firms.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 — Malaysia’s trade started the year with positive momentum, auguring well for an expected rebound in external trade to support firmer economic growth for 2024.

JAKARTA, Feb 16 —  World leaders including Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have congratulated Prabowo Subianto, who looks set to win Indonesia's presidential election after an unofficial quick count showed him to be well ahead.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 — The impact of the Red Sea crisis on Malaysia’s shipping and ports is minimal compared to European countries, which depend heavily on Asian exports, thus they need to bear the brunt of higher shipping costs, said Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB).

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 — Maybank Investment Bank (IB) expects a steady unemployment rate of 3.4 per cent in 2024.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 — Malaysian planters’ earnings in 2024 will likely be better than last year, owing to lower unit costs on lower fertiliser expenses and higher productivity, said Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) today.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 — The Central Database Hub (Padu), launched today by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with a focus on fair subsidy distribution, will help in the effort to reduce fuel subsidies by RM6 billion this year by allowing “means-testing” eligibility based on net disposable income.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 — MIDF Research has maintained a positive outlook on the consumer sector due to solid domestic retail growth in 2023 and 2024.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Malaysia’s sovereign rating is likely to be status quo for at least the next three to six months, said Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB).

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 2 — The Budget 2024 deficit is expected to be between 4.0 to 4.3 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), in line with fiscal consolidation targets of the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review (12MP MTR) and the Madani Economy, said Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB).

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.