Analysts, banks foresee potentially bumpy 2026 due to US tariffs, policy uncertainty

New figures come after considering upcoming reduction in RON95 retail prices, SST expansion's limited inflationary impact

Growth has upside potential of up to 4.4 per cent, recent cut in US reciprocal tariffs, others may provide short-term relief

RHB IB expects Malaysia’s short, long term industrial production outlook to be supported by reciprocal tariffs, 13MP

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) has maintained its 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) forecast at 4.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY), despite Malaysia’s first quarter 2025 (1Q 2025) GDP growth data coming in slightly lower than expected at 4.4 per cent.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Malaysia's economy is forecast to grow by 4.5 per cent in 2025, although growth could slow to between 3.5 per cent and four per cent if trade tensions escalate, said RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB).

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) has maintained a ‘neutral' recommendation for the automotive and automotive components sector.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 — RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) has revised Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for 2025 downwards to 4.5 per cent from an earlier projection of 5.0 per cent, following rising trade tensions and recent tariff hikes that pose a threat to the nation’s export-driven economy.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 — Asean will be the clear beneficiary with winners in Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, assuming trade tensions continue to isolate the United States (US) and China, said RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB).

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 — Economists are forecasting Malaysia’s headline inflation for 2024 to be between 2.5 per cent and 3.3 per cent.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 — RHB Investment Bank (RHB IB) said Malaysia's leading gross domestic product (GDP) index has shown evidence of a marked recovery for the first quarter (1Q) of 2024.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — The total industry volume (TIV) for the auto and auto parts sector in March 2023 is expected to be stronger, being the last month for carmakers to deliver the sales and service tax (SST)-exempt orders.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 — RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) expects Malaysia’s industrial production to ease gradually in the fourth quarter (Q4 2022) before a more significant slowdown in the first half of 2023 (1H23).