An inverted yield curve is often seen as a recession warning, but Timothy Lesko of Granite Investment Advisors says it was the relative rate environment, not economic concern, that caused the yield curve in the U.S. to invert earlier in 2019.</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage>

The inverted yield curve was a 'quick and false' signal: Investor

The Philippine central bank resumed its easing cycle on Thursday, as expected, cutting its key policy rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% to help the economy cope with global challenges, including the potential fallout from US trade policy.

Philippine central bank cuts policy rate by 25 basis points, as expected

Central banks of Malaysia and Thailand signed a pact on Thursday to strengthen joint efforts in cybersecurity and digital fraud protection.

Malaysia, Thailand central banks strengthen ties to boost cybersecurity

Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) had told the late Kee Kok Thiam not to return to Malaysia after the Barisan Nasional government under Datuk Seri Najib Razak's leadership fell in the 2018 general election, the High Court heard on Thursday.

The late Kee Kok Thiam told MACC that Jho Low told him not to return to Malaysia, says investigating officer

LONDON (April 10): Tesco, Britain's biggest food retailer, warned on Thursday its profit would likely fall this year, reflecting a further increase in the "competitive intensity" of the UK market.

The group, which has a near 28% share of Britain's grocery market, said it expected to mak...

Britain's Tesco warns profit to fall as competition intensifies

Taiwan state-backed bodies could over the next decade buy an extra US$200 billion from the United States and bump up the percentage of LNG it gets from the county by one-third to help narrow the trade deficit, the economy minister said on Thursday.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Sunday pledged to seek a zero tariff regime with the United States and buy more from and invest more in the country, and said that Taipei would not retaliate in response to US tariffs — now put on pause by President Donald Trump.

Taiwan could buy US$200 billion more from US, increase LNG imports as part of trade deal

KUALA LUMPUR (April 10): Malaysia’s palm oil stocks posted their first rise in six months in March, as production recovered and imports rose sharply, offsetting strong festive demand, data from the industry regulator showed on Thursday.

Malaysia’s palm oil stocks rise for first time in six months in March

China is letting the yuan weaken against almost all major currencies as a deepening trade war with the US threatens to deal a blow to its already teetering economy.

Yuan falls versus everything as China’s tariff relief valve

The second phase of 22 Quartz by Mitraland Group has achieved a 95% take-up rate since it opened for sale last August. Located in Setia Alam, Selangor, it comprises 116 units of 3-storey houses.

According to the developer, 22 Quartz is named after the 22-acre freehold tract on whic...

Phase 2 of Mitraland’s 22 Quartz 95% taken up, third phase launched

Citigroup Inc is urging rich clients to stay cautious amid extreme market volatility, even though “peak shock” might have passed, according to the bank’s global wealth head Andy Sieg.

Citi wealth head Sieg says don’t buy the dip amid wild stock swings

The Association of Southeast Nations, or Asean, will pursue dialogue with Washington following a 90-day pause on US reciprocal tariffs, the region’s economic ministers said on Thursday.

Asean wants to engage in “a frank and constructive dialogue” with the US to address trade-related concerns, according to a joint statement of the region’s economic ministers. Asean is committed to safeguarding their economic interests while preserving trade ties with the US, the statement noted.

US tariff pause offers window for Asean to talk to Washington

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 all but one of its trading partners.

Malaysian stocks rebound, broad relief rally adds back RM75 bil to market 

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

(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

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

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

Bids for the Penang International Airport's (PIA) main terminal building&nbsp;under Package 3 are expected to open in May this year, ahead of its scheduled 2027 completion.

Gamuda, IJM, MRCB, SunCon could bid for Penang International Airport's main terminal building under Package 3 in May, estimated at RM1.2b — CIMB

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

AmBank Group has granted RM307 million in financing facilities to Chin Hin Group Bhd’s (KL:CHINHIN) subsidiaries, Aricia Sdn Bhd and Makna Setia Sdn Bhd, to support several new property and infrastructure developments in the Klang Valley and Sabah and Sarawak.

AmBank grants RM307m in financing to Chin Hin Group for infrastructure projects

Global shares surged and a manic bond sell-off stabilised on Thursday after US President Donald Trump said he would temporarily lower the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries.

Stocks soar in relief rally after Trump pauses tariffs

Umno has filed an originating summons (OS) at the High Court last month seeking a declaration and an order for a 9,723 square metre land to be transferred to the political party. The land, which is now the Seri Pacific Hotel, here, is currently held in trust by four people, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the late Tun Daim Zainuddin.

Umno wants transfer of Seri Pacific hotel land held under trusteeship of Dr M, Daim, two others

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

(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

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

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

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.&nbsp;

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

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.

Trump signs executive order seeking to revitalise US shipbuilding

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

KUALA LUMPUR (April 10): Malaysia’s palm oil stocks posted their first rise in six months in March, as production recovered and imports rose sharply, offsetting strong festive demand, data from the industry regulator showed on Thursday.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has held a meeting via a video link with Investment,&nbsp;Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, as Malaysia currently holds the rotating chair of Asean, said a statement released by China's Commerce Ministry on Thursday.