Emerging Asian currencies nudged higher on Tuesday, while the Mexican peso slipped after US President Donald Trump refrained from imposing tariffs on his first day in office but signalled potential policy moves in the coming days.

Asian currencies edge higher, Mexican peso slips on Trump's tariff plans

Most Asian currencies strengthened on Monday, supported by a pause in the dollar rally ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, while most regional equity indexes climbed on improved trade sentiment.

Asian currencies, equities rise ahead of Trump's new term

Most Asian currencies were subdued on Friday from a muted greenback, ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's return to office next week while stocks traded mixed in the wake of surprise rate calls from several regional central banks.

Asian currencies muted, stocks mixed ahead of Trump's inauguration

The Indonesian rupiah stayed near six-month lows on Thursday, while the South Korean won snapped a three-day winning streak after both countries' central banks shocked investors by eschewing widely anticipated interest rate calls.

Indonesian rupiah, Korean won hit by surprise central bank rate calls

Most Asian stock markets fell on Friday, while currencies held steady, as investors remained cautious ahead of the crucial US jobs report that could impact the outlook for further interest rate cuts and the dollar.

Most Asian stocks decline ahead of US jobs data; currencies steady

Most Asian equities retreated on Thursday, while currencies edged lower, as growing concerns that US President-elect Donald Trump's proposed policies may fuel inflation and slow rate cuts dented sentiment towards risky assets.

Most Asian currencies, equities fall on US tariff, slow rate cut concerns

Asian emerging market currencies fell on Wednesday, led by the Indonesian rupiah and the Taiwanese dollar, as the dollar strengthened after US jobs data showed the Federal Reserve did not need to rush to lower interest rates.

Asian FX knocked by dollar's strength on healthy US data

Most Asian currencies slipped on Friday and were set for weekly declines against a strengthening dollar, as investors braced for fewer Federal Reserve rate cuts and US President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Asian FX faces weekly declines as markets await Trump's policy moves

Most Asian stock markets started the year on the back foot on Thursday, as investors braced for US President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House and the prospect of US interest rates staying higher for longer.

Asian stocks drop in rocky start to 2025 as Trump policies take centre stage

Asian currencies were largely muted on the last trading day of the year, but were poised for sharp annual falls as the threat of US tariffs and prospects of fewer US interest rate cuts next year eroded the attractiveness of risky Asian assets.

Asian FX end dismal 2024 on shaky footing, shares notch annual gains

Most Asian currencies were muted on Monday, weighed down by high US treasury yields and a firm dollar while the South Korean markets reversed course to trade slightly lower after last week's parliament vote to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo.

Most Asian FX subdued; South Korean markets slide on deepening political woes

The South Korean won hit a fresh 16-year low and the stock market tumbled on Friday amid increasing political turbulence, while other emerging Asian currencies fell against a strong dollar in thin year-end trade.

South Korean won tumbles amid political woes; dollar strength undermines Asian FX

Most emerging Asian currencies weakened against a resilient dollar on Thursday while equities largely slipped in holiday-thinned trade, as investors focussed on the Federal Reserve's rate outlook.

Most Asian forex, stock markets trend lower in holiday-thinned trade

Emerging Asian stock markets rose on Tuesday and currencies struggled to gain ground against a stronger dollar as investors braced for fewer rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in the coming year.

Asian equities rise, strong dollar weighs on FX as US rates stay in focus

For all the hand-wringing about the potential fallout of Donald Trump’s expansive, pro-growth policy agenda, the US Treasury market has gotten off to a smooth start.

In Trump’s first full trading day back in the White House, government bonds rallied, pushing down yields to their lows of the year, while stocks rose and the dollar regained its footing.

On day one, Trump appeases bond traders and pushes down rates

Asian futures broadly pointed to gains after US stocks climbed as President Donald Trump struck a better-than-feared tone on global trade and speculation grew that his policies will further boost Corporate America. 

Shares in Tokyo and Sydney were poised to climb, although Hong Kong stocks looked set to decline.

Asia stocks set to gain as Trump tariff fears ebb

One trading day into Donald Trump’s second term and it’s clear the stock market has a new driver, at least for now. Share prices rallied Tuesday, with gains largely generated by one thing the president didn’t do: enact sweeping tariffs on major trading partners.

The unexpected lack of action — Trump had long promised levies of as much as 60% on Chinese goods and almost half that on Mexican and Canadian products on Day 1 — sent Treasury yields tumbling while the S&P 500 Index climbed 0.9%

Stocks rally on tariff delay in market mesmerized by Trump

The World Health Organization (WHO) called on the US to reconsider President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the agency, suggesting the move could undermine global health security.
 
The planned departure would leave the WHO scrambling to replace its top donor, which contributed US$1.3 billion (RM5.84 billion) to the organisation between 2022 and 2023. Without US funding, work that the WHO carries out on containing diseases such as HIV, polio and Ebola as well as a recent outbreak of lethal Marburg virus could be at risk.

WHO urges Trump to reconsider US exit

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is one of a kind and a phenomenal move between Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised on Tuesday.

“There is an element of trust in working together on a joint programme that will benefit one another.

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zon is one of a kind, phenomenal — Anwar

China is ready to collaborate with Malaysia to promote East Asian cooperation and regional economic integration during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship 2025, China’s Consul-General in Penang, Zhou Youbin, said. 

He stated that China is also willing to work with Malaysia to maintain the trend of regional development cooperation and contribute to regional and global peace and stability.

China to work with Malaysia, promote East Asian cooperation and regional economic integration

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the provision of free toll during festive seasons does not solve traffic congestion on toll highways.

He said it was important for road users to change their behaviour and plan their trips when the festive season arrives.

Free toll during festive seasons does not solve traffic congestion on highways — Ahmad Zahid

The Sukhoi Su-30MKM Service Life Extension Programme (Slep) by local company, Aerospace Technology Systems Corporation (ATSC) will ensure the aircraft will operate well and be used for another decade.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said ATSC has conducted Service Life Extension and Preventive Restoration Works/Overhaul to ensure that aircraft could operate longer and would ensure that Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft were at optimum levels and reduce expenditure compared to sending the aircraft to Russia.

Service life extension programme ensures Sukhois will fly for next decade

Sabah PKR is confident that the issue regarding the position of the Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman will not affect the coalition's unity and cooperation in facing the next state election. 

Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the issue is technical in nature and the decision on the position should be determined by the PH Presidential Council, the coalition's highest committee comprising PKR, DAP, Amanah and the United Kinabalu Progressive Organisation (Upko).

Sabah PKR confident state PH chairman issue will not affect coalition unity

The European Union (EU) is working on a proposal for bloc-wide purchase incentives for electric vehicles (EVs) to support the bloc’s struggling automakers, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos one day after US President Donald Trump took office, Scholz said Europe’s response to a growing number of global challenges must be an economically stronger Europe with more competitive industry and less bureaucracy.

Scholz says EU is preparing bloc-wide incentive plan for EVs

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday

MRCB, MNRB, CIMB, Pansar, Yinson, Mah Sing, YNH, Sunway REIT, Alpha IVF, KIP REIT, UOA REIT, Taghill, KTI Landmark 

Data centre-related stocks and proxies to artificial intelligence (AI) on Bursa Malaysia rebounded on Tuesday, driven by expectations of gradual approach to tariff policies by the new Donald Trump’s US administration.&nbsp;

Trump's future policies are expected to be less aggressive compared to his previous term, with the possibility of reversing some of the restrictions imposed by Joe Biden, said Rakuten Trade head of research Kenny Yee.

Data centre-linked stocks, AI proxies rebound amid expectations of Trump’s gradual tariff implementation 

Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Oil and gas services firm Keyfield International Bhd (KL:KEYFIELD) has completed its first solar photovoltaic (PV) system onboard its largest vessel, Keyfield Wisdom.&nbsp;

The project, which integrates a 121.2kWp solar hybrid system with battery energy storage (BESS), reduces the vessel’s reliance on onboard generator sets, thereby reducing its fuel consumption and cutting carbon emissions, Keyfield said in a statement on Tuesday.

Keyfield completes installation of Malaysia’s largest solar PV system on offshore vessel

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held high-level meetings with business leaders from six multinational companies (MNCs) including AstraZeneca, Fortescue, DP World, Medtronics, Nestle and Google.

Arranged by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti), the one-on-one meetings took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit 2025 at the Mountain Plaza Hotel, here, where Anwar, who is also the finance minister, led the Malaysian delegation.

Anwar meets six MNCs including Google, Nestle on the sidelines of WEF 2025

Taghill Holdings Bhd’s (KL:TAGHILL) said it has secured a RM58 million contract for construction work on an 18-storey commercial complex in Ipoh.

Taghill bags RM58 mil commercial complex construction job

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) detained five individuals believed to have been involved in accepting bribes as inducement to assist in processing personal loan applications submitted by a financial&nbsp;consulting&nbsp;company.

MACC detains five bank officers for corrupt practices in loan processing

UOA Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:UOAREIT) posted a 8.55% increase in net rental income for the fourth quarter on improved occupancy.

Net rental income rose to RM20.36 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2024 (4QFY2024), from RM18.76 million in the same period a year earlier, according to the office and commercial property trust’s bourse filing. &nbsp;

UOA REIT's 4Q rental income rises 8.5% on improved occupancy, declares 3.24 sen DPU

The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has begun issuing official receipts in a new format as proof of tax payments made manually at the Kuala Lumpur Revenue Management Centre (PPTHKL) counters since Monday.

IRB introduces new official receipt format for manual tax payments

The police have confirmed receiving a notification&nbsp;regarding a planned rally at a shopping complex in the capital, scheduled for Saturday.

Dang Wangi police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said that a review by his team found that the notice was incomplete, because it lacked a copy of the consent from the owner of the rally venue.

Cops advise against attending rally on Saturday that lacks venue owner's consent

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is one of a kind and a phenomenal move between Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised on Tuesday.

“There is an element of trust in working together on a joint programme that will benefit one another.

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said China will import more products, hours after US President Donald Trump left the economy out of countries he’s looking to hit with tariffs imminently.

China vice premier vows to import more after dodging US tariffs

EFishery Pte, one of Indonesia’s most prominent startups, may have inflated its revenue and profit over several years, according to an internal investigation triggered by a whistleblower’s claim about the company’s accounting.

SoftBank-backed fish startup allegedly faked most of its sales

ACE Market-listed KTI Landmark Bhd (KL:KTI) is exploring a potential affordable housing project in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, to be jointly developed with a state government agency.

KTI’s wholly owned unit KTI Sdn Bhd accepted a letter of intent in relation to the project from Sabah’s Housing and Town Development Authority on Tuesday, according to the integrated property developer’s bourse filing.

KTI Landmark explores affordable housing project in Kota Kinabalu

President Donald Trump began his second term by taking world financial markets on a daylong rollercoaster ride over his tariff policies, in a sign of turbulence ahead for investors and executives.

Trump’s tariff shifts are a warning for corporate America to expect whiplash

The World Health Organization (WHO) called on the US to reconsider President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the agency, suggesting the move could undermine global health security. 
&nbsp; 
The planned departure would leave the WHO scrambling to replace its top donor, which contributed US$1.3 billion (RM5.84 billion) to the organisation between 2022 and 2023. Without US funding, work that the WHO carries out on containing diseases such as HIV, polio and Ebola as well as a recent outbreak of lethal Marburg virus could be at risk.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has ample candidates to fill the vacancy of chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Sports Institute (NSI) to replace Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli who will end his service on Feb 24.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said that currently her department has received more than 19 applications for the position from government servants and the private sector.

More than 19 candidates vying for National Sports Institute CEO's post — Hannah

China is still driving growth in global oil demand, the head of Saudi Aramco said, dismissing concerns about peaking consumption in the world’s biggest energy user.&nbsp;

Aramco CEO sees ‘good’ China oil demand driving growth

(Jan 21):&nbsp;Booming credit markets are throwing private equity firms a lifeline as they strive to return cash to investors: Instead of relying on the IPO market, they can pile portfolio companies with more debt and give themselves a payout.

Dividend recapitalizations, where a firm bo...

Private equity has a plan if IPOs, sales don't work: More debt

Goldman Sachs Group Inc is preparing to promote a slate of star executives to run its biggest Wall Street business lines, spotlighting the firm’s next generation of leadership.

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