The looming barrage of fresh US tariffs is leaving traders in emerging markets (EM) ready to bolt at the slightest whiff of risk.

Trump’s ‘big one’ on tariffs has emerging market on edge

Central banks across Asia are increasingly using derivatives to protect their currencies against a strong US dollar, raising questions over how long they can do so, and whether they are just storing up trouble for the future.

Rise of dollar forwards builds risk for Asian central banks, BNM says FX tools to manage liquidity

Policymakers across Asia’s emerging markets are digging deeper into their toolkits to fend off a relentlessly strong greenback as Trump-administration tariffs loom.
 
Indonesia — already intervening regularly to rein in a weak rupiah — will now require commodities firms to repatriate all of their overseas earnings. South Korea sold won debt to top up its coffers for defending the exchange rate for the first time in 21 years.

Unstoppable US dollar forces Asia to dig deeper to defend foreign exchange 

Singapore’s currency weakness is likely to endure amid expectations that its central bank pivots to easing and US tariffs ripple through the global economy.

Singapore dollar set to weaken as monetary authority pivot comes into focus

(Jan 15): The exchange rate matters for the euro-area economy over time, though monthly movements in currency are typically absorbed by companies, European Central Bank (ECB) chief economist Philip Lane said.

ECB’s Lane says FX matters even if firms absorb initial swings

(Jan 13): The European Central Bank (ECB) is likely to reduce interest rates further, in order to ensure it delivers on its price stability mandate, according to chief economist Philip Lane.

More ECB policy easing in cards amid risks, Lane says

HONG KONG (March 25): China's Vice Premier He Lifeng met Blackstone's Chairman Stephen Schwarzman in Beijing, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday, stating that the Chinese side said it welcomed more U.S.-funded enterprises and long-term capital.

China's He said ...

China's vice premier meets Blackstone chairman in Beijing

Shares of Master-Pack Group Bhd (KL:MASTER), a paper packaging manufacturer, rallied to a new record high on Tuesday in highly active trade.

Master-Pack extends rally to new record high in active trade

Tesla Inc chair Robyn Denholm ignored questions about whether Elon Musk needs to devote more time to the US carmaker as its sales and share price crater.

Tesla chair Denholm ignores all questions about Musk’s focus

The recent cyber attack on Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), where hackers allegedly demanded a US$10 million (RM44.37 million) ransom, was not just an attack on a corporation — it was an attack on Malaysia’s national security.

Cybersecurity is national security: Why Malaysia needs a legal framework for cyber warfare

The 5.1% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, which surpassed the government's initial forecast and independent analysts expectations, proves that economic reforms have started to show early results.

2024 economic growth proof reforms starting to bear fruit, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR (March 25): The High Court on Tuesday recorded a consent judgement between Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd and former Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) chairman Tan Sri Shahril Abdul Samad in a defamation suit filed by Synergy Promenade in 2018 over the KL Vertical City project (KLVC project).

High Court records consent judgement between Synergy Promenade and Shahrir over defamation regarding KL Vertical City project

Tesla Inc’s sales have fallen in 10 of the last 12 months in Europe, with the carmaker struggling mightily at the beginning of this year.

The Elon Musk-led company registered 16,888 new cars in February, down 40% from a year ago, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Tesla’s sales plunged 43% in the first two months of the year, deviating from the 31% rise in industry-wide electric vehicle registrations.

Tesla extends dismal run in Europe with 40% drop in February sales

(March 25): Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab Corp. are prohibiting clients from investing in money-market ETFs on their trading platforms, an unusual move for the financial powerhouses who typically permit easy access to funds that already trade on an exchange.

The two firms are ...

Fidelity, Schwab block orders of BlackRock and Texas Capital ETFs

BlackRock Inc, the world’s largest asset manager, is launching a bitcoin exchanged-traded product (ETP) in Europe, following the success of its US$48 billion (RM212.98 billion) US fund tracking the cryptocurrency.

BlackRock debuts bitcoin exchange-traded product in Europe

WHILE bus operators may be perceived to be operating in a sunset industry, especially given the lower number of active vehicle permits for buses in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels, certain companies are not only enduring but even continue to thrive.

Main Market-bound HI Mobility Bh...

HI Mobility seen to thrive in efforts to boost cross-border transport in Greater Johor and beyond 

SINGAPORE (March 25):&nbsp;A Singapore luxury mansion has been purchased at a record price per square foot by a scion of the family which backs one of Malaysia’s largest banks.

Public Bank heir buys Singapore mansion for record US$70m — Bloomberg

Construction services firm Wawasan Dengkil Holdings Bhd (KL:DENGKIL) fell nearly immediately below its initial public offering (IPO) price in its ACE Market trading debut on Tuesday.

Wawasan Dengkil slips after flat open on ACE Market debut

YTL Communications Sdn Bhd signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with laser communications technology company Transcelestial to bring cutting-edge technology solutions to businesses in Malaysia by enhancing connectivity and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across the nation.

YTL Communications collaborates with Transcelestial to bring laser-based wireless technology to Malaysia

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday revealed that the digital system of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) was recently attacked by hackers demanding a ransom payment of US$10 million (RM44.39 million).

PM reveals attack on MAHB digital system with hackers demanding US$10 mil

(March 25):&nbsp;Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd&nbsp;co-chief executive officer Han Jong-Hee, who is credited for growing the Korean conglomerate into the world’s top electronics company, has passed away. He was 63.

Samsung Electronics co-CEO passes away of heart attack at 63

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd chairman Joe Tsai warned of a potential bubble forming in data centre construction, arguing that the pace of that build-out may outstrip initial demand for artificial intelligence (AI) services.

Alibaba’s Tsai warns of ‘bubble’ in AI data centre build-out

Analysts have flagged US “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs as a key risk to Malaysia’s economic outlook after Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) better-than expected projections for the economy.

US 'Liberation Day' tariffs a key risk to Malaysia’s economic outlook — analysts

KUALA LUMPUR (March 25): Indonesia will likely charge ahead with its biodiesel mandate, which will keep palm oil prices elevated this year as supply in the market shrinks, said RHB Research.

Indonesia unlikely to back down on B40 biodiesel mandate, helping sustain elevated palm oil prices, says RHB

Asian stocks rose on Tuesday, taking cues from the Wall Street, as the prospect of narrower-than-feared&nbsp;US&nbsp;tariffs&nbsp;boosted risk appetite, while the dollar hovered near three-week highs after upbeat&nbsp;economic data&nbsp;provided some comfort.

Asian stocks rise on easing tariff worries; dollar perks up

Xiaomi Corp&nbsp;raised about US$5.5 billion (RM24.4&nbsp;billion) in an upsized share sale, as the Chinese tech firm capitalises on a surge in its stock price to help raise funds to expand its electric-vehicle (EV) business.

Xiaomi raises US$5.5 billion in upsized follow-on share sale in Hong Kong

KUALA LUMPUR (March 25): Cypark Resources Bhd (KL:CYPARK) is poised for a significant revenue boost in its fourth quarter after receiving government approval to nearly triple the tipping fee at its Negeri Sembilan waste-to-energy (WTE) facility.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Housing and Local G...

Cypark set for 4Q bumper revenue after securing landmark tipping-fee hike — analysts

Nearly four years after Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (KL:CMSB) conducted an independent review of certain projects and investments that cleared current deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib and former chief information officer Karl Vink @ Khalid Abdullah of any conflict of interest, the two are once again in the spotlight. This time, they are named in a lawsuit filed by the company.

Cahya Mata Sarawak suit: Abu Bekir Taib-Karl Vink connection back in the spotlight

HSBC Holdings plc expects to double down on investment banking operations in Asia and the Middle East after exiting key business in Europe and the US, chief executive officer Georges Elhedery said.

HSBC CEO targets Asia, Middle East growth after revamp

HOUSTON/NEW YORK (March 24): A liquefied natural gas (LNG)&nbsp;tanker&nbsp;is expected to arrive in Canada on April 1,&nbsp;to start cooling down LNG Canada's plant in Kitimat, British Columbia, considered the final step before the plant begins production of the superchilled gas.

Petronas’ joint venture LNG Canada to start cooldown of plant next week in final step before first LNG

KUALA LUMPUR (March 25): Tradeview Capital Sdn Bhd — a boutique fund management company licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) — has on Tuesday announced a distribution of a 7.03 sen dividend per unit for its flagship fund, the Tradeview Sustainability Fund (TSF), after logging an 18.8% return in the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024.

Tradeview Capital delivers 18.8% return on ESG fund in 2024, announces 7.03 sen dividend

The Indonesian rupiah plummeted to its weakest since the Asian Financial Crisis nearly three decades ago on Tuesday, pressured by concerns about the fiscal health of Southeast Asia's largest economy, but managed to recoup some lost ground after intervention by the central bank.

Indonesia's rupiah hits lowest in nearly 27 years, stocks regroup

AHAM Asset Management Bhd (AHAM Capital) announced that Bursa Malaysia had approved its request to suspend trading of two of its exchanged traded funds (ETF), which will take effect on Wednesday, March 26.

Bursa approves AHAM Capital's request to suspend trading of two ETFs for delisting

Shares of Master-Pack Group Bhd (KL:MASTER), a paper packaging manufacturer, rallied to a new record high on Tuesday in highly active trade.

Stocks saw one of their best sessions of the year, with the Nasdaq 100 adding 2.2%, amid signs US trade sanctions will be narrower than feared, including a suggestion by US President Donald Trump that some countries will get breaks. Bonds fell alongside gold. The dollar wavered.

US stocks power risk-on rally on Trump tariff signals

AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd, the aviation business of Capital A Bhd (KL:CAPITALA), said on Tuesday it is in the final stages of securing up to RM1 billion in debt financing from an undisclosed domestic bank, to be used to refinance its US dollar-denominated debt and for other corporate purposes.

Catherine Bosley