The disappointing economic growth of 3.7% for 2023 was unexpected to many but not to us. We predicted a sharp slowdown in November 2022, before the unity government was elected, and again at the beginning of 2023, before the government had any chance to prevent it.

In other words, the s...

My Say:Government not to blame for the past — only for the future

The end of the petrodollar era may be approaching, and with it the end of an international financial system that has shaped global economics since 1971.

MySay: End of the petrodollar offers long-term benefits

Economic forecasting is a highly uncertain activity that aims to identify the future direction of key variables in the economic and financial system to help make decisions on policy setting, investments and business planning.

Forecasting is often wrong, there is no doubt about that. So ...

My Say: Economic forecasts: Always late and always wrong

Malaysia faces a period of delicate transition towards recovery in 2022. Although we do not see the high growth scenario forecast by Bank Negara Malaysia or international agencies like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, we do see the possibility of a return to modest growth during the...

My Say: Price stability is key to economic recovery

The latest economic data for Malaysia shows that there are significant headwinds still to face. Bank Negara Malaysia has slashed its forecast for economic growth in 2021 in half, from 6% to 7.5% in May to 3% to 4% now.

While this is in line with our forecasts earlier in the year, the ne...

My Say: Malaysia is not in a recovery yet

My Say: A social market stimulus to avoid the tipping point

RAVENNA, Italy (April 9): Eni expects investors interested in a minority stake in its renewables and retail arm, Plenitude, to value the business at more than 10 billion euros (US$11 billion, or RM49.25 billion) including debt, one of the Italian energy group's executives said on Wednesday.

Eni expects investors to value Plenitude at more than US$11b

HANOI (April 10): The 20-year production sharing contract (PSC) extension for Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd’s (KL:HIBISCS) largest oil asset works as a key enabler to monetise the group’s development plans offshore northeast Malaysia, which includes new wells and gas processing from nearby fields.

Hibiscus: 20-year PSC extension key enabler for developing new wells, processing gas from nearby assets

WASHINGTON (April 9): US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday, aimed at reviving US shipbuilding and reducing China's grip on the global shipping industry, vowing to boost funding for the effort in coming years.

Trump signs executive order seeking to revitalise US shipbuilding

Engineering firm West River Bhd is now taking applications from investors for its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market.

West River now taking IPO applications at 39 sen per share for ACE Market listing

From the start of 2025, global events have ushered us into a fast-evolving world that has brought much excitement. Just as we began to grasp the significance of one event, the next major one unfolded, followed by yet another that is equally impactful, upending all known norms and expectations. Th...

My Say: Seizing opportunities in green and digital transformation amid global shifts

This article for the Tong's Portfolio column — which predicts a likely walk back of some of the tariffs — was prepared for this coming week's issue of The Edge Malaysia and The Edge Singapore, but because of President Donald Trump's U-Turn overnight (albeit for 90 days), we have decided to publish it online first.

Trump's big blunder — and no, its not tariff per se

Malaysian stocks staged a broad relief rally on Thursday after the US announced a pause to its reciprocal tariffs on some of its trading partners.

Malaysian stocks stage relief rally, KLCI up by over 60 points at open

Technology stocks rallied on Thursday following the announcement of a 90-day suspension on reciprocal tariffs, amid growing optimism that Malaysia could benefit from the deepening trade rift between the US and China.

Tech stocks rally on 90-day tariff pause, boosting Malaysia's chances amid US-China tensions

BEIJING (April 9): China and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to U.S. tariffs, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Thursday.

In a video call on Tuesday, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao discussed with Europe...

China and EU discuss trade in response to U.S.' punitive tariffs

(April 10): Bonds from Australia to Japan swung in the wake of a chaotic day in the US Treasuries market, forcing traders to confront the possibility that volatility from trade war jitters is only just beginning.

Swings in US Treasuries trigger global bond market aftershocks

US President Donald Trump said he would pause higher reciprocal tariffs on dozens of non-retaliating countries for 90 days, while raising duties on China to 125%.&nbsp;

Trump pauses higher duties on most nations, hikes China tariffs to 125%

Some Malaysian exporters of manufactured goods destined for the United States have temporarily halted shipments as they await clearer information on the financial implications of the newly imposed tariffs, which took effect on Wednesday.

Malaysian exporters halt US shipments amid tariff confusion

Malaysian stocks staged a broad relief rally on Thursday after the US announced a pause to its reciprocal tariffs on some of its trading partners.

As Donald Trump’s sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs took effect just after midnight on Wednesday, the president was watching the bond market.

Long-term yields were soaring. The 10-year Treasury saw the biggest three-day jump since 2001. The president was confronting a worst-case scenario: voters who had returned him to the White House because of inflation now faced both increased prices and higher borrowing costs.

Bond chaos, deal mania and Jamie Dimon: Inside Trump’s tariff reversal

Malaysia welcomes the US’ overnight decision to pause the sweeping tariff increase, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said on Thursday.

Zafrul: Malaysia welcomes US tariff pause, now assessing implications

US stocks posted the best day since the financial crisis after President Donald Trump paused some reciprocal tariffs in a move that jolted the bond market and lifted Asian equity futures.

Stocks surge in relief rally after Trump pauses tariffs

This article for the Tong's Portfolio column — which predicts a likely walk back of some of the tariffs — was prepared for this coming week's issue of The Edge Malaysia and The Edge Singapore, but because of President Donald Trump's U-Turn overnight (albeit for 90 days), we have decided to publish it online first.

(April 9): Senator Adam Schiff on Wednesday called on Congress to investigate whether US President Donald Trump engaged in insider trading or market manipulation when he abruptly paused a sweeping set of tariffs, a move that sent stock prices skyrocketing.

Senator Adam Schiff calls for insider trading investigation into Trump over tariff pause

Technology stocks rallied on Thursday following the announcement of a 90-day suspension on reciprocal tariffs, amid growing optimism that Malaysia could benefit from the deepening trade rift between the US and China.

Oil prices surged from a four-year low on Wednesday and gold rallied in a broad-based commodities and equity market rebound after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said he would temporarily lower recently enacted tariffs on dozens of countries while further increasing duties on China.

Energy, metals, grains surge after Trump tariff pause

Donald Trump’s 90-day reprieve on some tariffs sent the stock market soaring Wednesday. But the chaos sown by the president’s trade war means corporate America is planning for a recession.

CEOs brace for recession even after tariff reprieve boosts stocks

The wild ride on US stock markets took a dizzying turn Wednesday afternoon when President Donald Trump announced a pause on some of his harshest tariffs, propelling the S&amp;P 500 Index to its biggest one-day gain since 2008.

Record US trading day fuels S&P 500’s best rally since 2008

Asean, which has faced a series of global uncertainties, has emerged from a quiet corner of the global economy to become central to it, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

From currency shocks to global contagion, Asean has seen it all, the prime minister said in his keynote address at the gala dinner in conjunction with Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship of the Finance Track here on Wednesday.

Asean emerges as a central player in global economy after overcoming series of adversities — Anwar

(April 10): Bonds from Australia to Japan swung in the wake of a chaotic day in the US Treasuries market, forcing traders to confront the possibility that volatility from trade war jitters is only just beginning.

WASHINGTON (April 9): US&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday, aimed at reviving US shipbuilding and reducing China's grip on the global shipping industry, vowing to boost funding for the effort in coming years.

President Donald Trump called the bond market a thing of beauty on Wednesday. For traders of government debt, the day meant pure mayhem.

Trump’s tariff pause jolts yields in a ‘no-win’ bond market

BEIJING (April 9): China and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to U.S. tariffs, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Thursday.

In a video call on Tuesday, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao discussed with Europe...

(April 9):&nbsp;The angry mutterings at the Permian Basin Petroleum Association’s “Spring Swing” golf tournament this week weren’t all about missed putts or lost balls. The Texas oilmen on the fairways had a more serious concern: The president they helped elect was tanking oil prices.

T...

Texas oil executives are frustrated at Trump for crushing crude prices

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he will be talking to other world leaders by phone on Thursday to discuss how to shore up rules-based free trade, in the face of a barrage of US&nbsp;tariffs.

New Zealand PM prepares to speak to world leaders on buttressing free trade

Engineering firm West River Bhd is now taking applications from investors for its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market.

Paolo Casadio and Geoffrey Williams