As we head towards the end of the year, it is, in line with tradition, time to reassess the global economic situation and lay out our expectations for the parameters that would guide investing decisions for 2025.

Outlook 2025: Elevated inflation, interest rates and valuations + moderate gains in growth, productivity and capital returns. Where and what to invest in?

The Malaysian property sector recovery remains intact based on the most recent available statistics. Residential property sales (by value) are rising nationwide, on the back of increases in both volume demand and prices, and — this might come as a shock to many — underpinned by improving home aff...

Robust increase in sales and prices for residential properties with improvement in affordability

Foreign capital, as an external source of funds for investments, plays a vital role in driving economic development, especially for emerging countries where there are likely limited savings relative to the amounts required to rapidly grow their economies. This much is obvious.

There are...

Contrary to theory, capital, ironically, flows to developed economies from emerging countries

We invest in equities on the expectation that companies will create value, leading to higher share prices and returns for shareholders (from the capital appreciation as well as dividends). And most companies generally do — create value for shareholders, that is — albeit to differing degrees.

Business cycles — successful reinventions and those that fail

Have Chinese stocks bottomed out and are there now opportunities to be had? The Chinese stock markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen have slumped over the past two years while stocks listed on the Hong Kong bourse have fared even worse, on heavy foreign selling and capital outflow.

The brief ...

A less risky route to buying China’s eventual recovery

Secular decline in ringgit’s value due mainly to falling relative competitiveness – a result of decades-long poor government policies

Human capital is a critical factor of production of a country, more so than financial capital, natural resources and machinery, which can be far more easily acquired from global markets. An educated and skilled workforce is the foundation of the economic success and wealth of nations. This is the...

Education was, is and always will be the great equaliser

Not since the early 1980s has the topic of inflation received so much attention on a global scale, from central banks to capital markets, academics, economists and analysts, mainstream and social media, politicians and even the man in the street. As a result, the rising cost of living has become ...

Economic policies in Malaysia are dictated by politics  — why they fail

It is critical that there are continuous efforts to enhance the appeal of the local stock market in order to attract and retain investor money flows amid increasing competition from other emerging markets. This is particularly true of smaller bourses, which lack the product range and liquidity of...

Companies that are destroying shareholder value and what can be done about it

Why do some stock markets outperform while others struggle? We have asked this question before to explain why Bursa Malaysia — and, to a lesser extent, the Singapore Exchange (SGX) — have been chronic underperformers. The FBM Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) Total Return Index (including divid...

Why some stock markets perform and others don’t … and ideas to improve

AS we complete the first quarter of the 21st century, conflicts, crises and collapses are cascading into our lives, seemingly in relentless waves. Although adversity breeds resilience, we cannot ignore the reality that we are sowing the seeds for our own destruction if we do not change how we act...

Wishlist: To turn the tide, we must be the change

NPC Resources Bhd has not met Bursa Malaysia’s shareholding spread requirement since October last year. While this problem has yet to be rectified, the percentage of shares held by the public has actually shrunk.

Frankly Speaking: NPC’s privatisation — a question of fair pricing

ABU DHABI (Jan 13): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is on a three-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since Sunday, is scheduled to have an audience with the UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also Ruler of Dubai.

Anwar to meet UAE PM in Dubai

Justin Trudeau says Canada is ready to respond with counter-tariffs against the US if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his threat to begin a trade war in North America.

Canada has counter-tariffs ready if Trump launches trade war, Trudeau says

SINGAPORE (Jan 12): All eight crew members of the sunken Malaysia-registered tanker Silver Sincere were rescued by the Indonesia-registered freighter Intan Daya 368 in Singapore’s territorial waters near Pedra Branca on Sunday.

Eight crew members rescued after Malaysia-registered tanker sinks in Singapore waters

Al-Salam Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:ALSREIT) will see “significant” rental growth from this year onwards thanks to higher occupancy at its most valuable property, BIMB Securities said.

Al-Salam REIT to see significant rental growth in 2025 onwards, BIMB says in starting coverage with 'buy' call

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 13): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad failed in his judicial review application to challenge the Pulau Batu Puteh Royal Commission of Inquiry’s decision not to allow the presence of his lawyers during the proceedings.

Court dismisses Dr M’s challenge to have his lawyers present at Batu Puteh RCI

This week, outgoing US President Joe Biden’s administration will finalise rules to crack down on Chinese vehicle software and hardware, touting national security concerns.

The Week Ahead: US’ ruling on Chinese vehicle software and hardware a major decision this week

THE year 2024 has been more challenging for some consumer companies than others, with boycotts in the country hurting the bottom lines of companies perceived to be linked to Israel such as Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd (KL:NESTLE) and Berjaya Food Bhd (BFood) (KL:BJFOOD), which holds the exclusive rights...

Stories Of The Year: Local consumer firms seize opportunity as boycott bites Nestlé, Berjaya Food

IN 2024, the performance of Malaysian semiconductor-related stocks was a tale of two halves, reflecting the sector’s exposure to global economic shifts and geopolitical uncertainties.

In the first half, technology stocks generally delivered positive returns, driven by the artificial int...

Stories Of The Year: Bridging ambition and execution of the National Semiconductor Strategy

Asian stocks were headed for early declines Monday after strong US jobs data led traders to rethink the path ahead for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

Asian stocks under pressure after blowout US jobs data

(Jan 13): The UK is planning special districts for constructing data centres and will explore dedicating nuclear energy to the sites as part of a Labour government project to boost technology growth and the ecosystem for artificial intelligence (AI).

UK will explore nuclear power for new AI data centre plan

(Jan 13): Oil extended gains to hit a more than four-month high, as a fresh wave of US sanctions against Russia’s energy industry threatened to crimp crude supplies in an already-tightening global market.

Oil hits four-month high after sweeping US sanctions on Russia

The South Korean won may extend losses after sliding to the lowest since 2009, as political risks and slowing economic growth reinforce the case for more interest-rate cuts.

Won near key psychological level adds to Korea’s mounting woes

Last year was marked by a significant uptick in cybersecurity regulations globally, particularly targeting generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) and third-party risks. As organisations rushed to tackle these new challenges, many neglected to establish essential cybersecurity measures to pro...

Rise Of Machines: A cyber wake-up call

DATA centres (DCs), which have grown in importance in the age of digitalisation, took centre stage in 2024 owing to the massive foreign direct investments (FDI) into the sector and Putrajaya’s recent approval of a total DC capacity of 4gw, making Malaysia a “DC powerhouse” in the region and a pro...

Stories Of The Year: Can Malaysia capitalise on its data centre ambitions?

When ChatGPT was launched, Harsha Purasinghe, CEO and founder of Malaysian digital HR platform provider MiHCM, immediately saw the potential of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in the HR space. The technology could be used to solve gaps identified by his team.

This potential ...

Solutions: A copilot AI built for HR

It’s common for people to financially plan for their deaths, with wills and trusts stating instructions for next of kin on how to manage and disperse assets. But in this day and age, where data is an increasingly important commodity, the posthumous management of one's data is overlooked, putting ...

Digital Legacies: Till death do us part? Not for your online data

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 13): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad failed in his judicial review application to challenge the Pulau Batu Puteh Royal Commission of Inquiry’s decision not to allow the presence of his lawyers during the proceedings.

IT is likely not an overstatement to say that there is much trepidation for many going into 2025. The main reason is because of worries over the policies that the US President-elect Donald Trump will introduce in his second four-year term starting January.

But that is not the only thing...

The Year Ahead: 5 Things To Watch In 2025

The number of air passengers is projected to more than double by 2050, causing surging fuel demand and undermining the aviation industry's steps to reduce its emissions, a study from climate advocacy group Transport and Environment showed on Monday.

Projected air travel growth runs counter to climate goals, study says

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions people make is to travel more. Whether it’s exploring new destinations, immersing oneself in a different culture or building memories that serve as a testament to a life well-lived, travelling resonates deeply as a meaningful and enriching goal for t...

Listicle: Own our trip

THE year 2024 has been more challenging for some consumer companies than others, with boycotts in the country hurting the bottom lines of companies perceived to be linked to Israel such as Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd (KL:NESTLE) and Berjaya Food Bhd (BFood) (KL:BJFOOD), which holds the exclusive rights...

Cryptocurrencies and the blockchain have sparked global intrigue and debate, moving beyond niche concepts to revolutionise finance. Much like the creation of money and the rise of the internet, blockchain technology and digital assets are reshaping how we value and invest in assets.

How...

Crypto Revolution: Beyond the hype

JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co’s Jamie Dimon said that tariffs, if properly used, can help resolve issues such as unfair competition and national security.

“Like any tool, if it’s misused it can do damage too,” the chief executive officer of the largest US bank said in an interview on CBS News’ Sunday Morning. Dimon said he hasn’t spoken with President-elect Donald Trump about tariffs.

JPMorgan CEO Dimon says tariffs can help resolve competition, security issues

THE saga of taking Boustead Plantations Bhd (BPlant) private in 2023 is probably still fresh on investors’ minds.

It would not be wrong to say that Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) had succeeded in taking BPlant private.

Without the takeover offer by LTAT, the minority s...

Stories Of The Year: Leave MAHB to chart own path without political interference, please

BENGALURU (Jan 13): Shares of Australia's&nbsp;Insignia&nbsp;Financial hit a more than three-year high on Monday, as a bidding war escalated, with private equity firm Bain Capital raising its offer to A$2.87 billion (US$1.76 billion, or RM7.94 billion), in line with rival CC Capital's bid.

Bain Capital raises bid for Australia's Insignia to US$1.8b, matches CC Capital

THE year 2024 has been a blockbuster one for Malaysia in terms of investment announcements, as global big names Microsoft Corp, Google LLC and more recently Oracle Corp disclosed multiyear billion ringgit investments into the country. The momentum has continued to build up from the news flow in 2...

Stories Of The Year: A blockbuster year for foreign investment 

The rise of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), a technology touted to be as transformative as electricity or the internet, is capturing the imagination the world over.

Governments and businesses, wary of being left behind in the AI race, are scrambling to stake their claim in ...

Cover Story: Building the AI playbook

<h2>NEWS</h2>

<h3>From saving to growing wealth</h3>

Trading app Moomoo is partnering with GXBank to enable the latter’s customers to make instant transfers or deposits to their Moomoo account and start investing.

As part of the launch, GXBank c...

Asia Analytica

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

Asia Analytica

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌