Bond traders have rarely suffered so much from a Federal Reserve (Fed) easing cycle. Now they fear 2025 threatens more of the same.

US 10-year yields have climbed more than three-quarters of a percentage point since central bankers started slashing benchmark interest rates in September. It’s a counterintuitive, loss-inducing response, marking the biggest jump in the first three months of a rate-cutting cycle since 1989.

Bond traders turn to 2025 amid most agonising easing in decades

Asian shares rallied on Monday after a benign reading on US inflation restored some hope for further policy easing next year, while there was relief that Washington had averted a government shutdown.

Asia shares rally on US inflation relief

(Dec 20): It’s been a challenging couple of years for real estate stocks since the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates in 2022, as borrowing costs soared and the property market collapsed. And despite a healthy rebound in the middle of 2024, the outlook for 2025 isn’t particularly...

Office rebound expected in 2025 while other real estate stocks to see trouble

The hawkish pivot by the Federal Reserve combined with uber-bullish sentiment among stock investors has caused risk appetite to be “suddenly twitchy,” according to Bank of America Corp strategist Michael Hartnett.

BofA strategist Hartnett sees shaky sentiment as US Fed pivot rattles bulls

Global stocks slid on Friday ahead of a possible US government shutdown, while European shares came under fire after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs if consumers in the region did not increase their purchases of US oil and gas.

Stocks slide as US govt shutdown looms, Trump targets Europe

The US Federal Reserve’s (US Fed) intent to adopt a slower pace of interest rate easing in 2025 is expected to prompt slight downward pressure on the domestic market, analysts said.

US Fed’s hawkish pivot ‘slightly negative’ for Malaysian market, analysts say

Stocks around the world tumbled on Thursday, with the 10-year US Treasury yield at its highest since May, a day after the Federal Reserve said it would temper the pace of rate cuts, kicking off a busy 24 hours for other central banks.

Stocks, bond prices fall after Fed sounds cautious, BOJ hold weakens yen

European shares wobbled while the dollar held firm on Tuesday as traders braced for a slate of central bank meetings this week that is likely to see the US Federal Reserve deliver a rate cut and the Bank of Japan stand pat for now.

European shares waver, dollar firms ahead of central bank meetings

Shares around the world nudged lower on Monday on soft economic numbers from China and Europe and as surging bond yields challenged equity valuations, at the start of a week packed with central bank meetings and major economic data.

Markets wary of Fed rate plans, China retail disappoints

MSCI's global equity gauge fell on Friday while bond yields climbed as investors waited for clues about the future path for interest rates from next week's US Federal Reserve meeting.

Global stock index falls, bond yields rise ahead of rate decisions

Investors poured money into Chinese stocks over the past week again as the country’s leaders vowed to boost growth with more stimulus measures, according to Bank of America Corp strategists.

BofA says investors rush to China stocks after Politburo pledge

Stocks nudged up on Thursday and the euro rose ahead of a European Central Bank monetary policy decision, while investor sentiment was supported by US consumer inflation data that cemented bets for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week.

Stocks edge up on Fed cut bets; euro firm ahead of ECB decision

European shares lost ground on Wednesday, mirroring a drop in Asian stock markets, as investors cautiously awaited US inflation data that is expected to put the Federal Reserve on course to cut rates again, with the dollar holding near a two-week high.

Stocks slip as investors cautiously await US inflation data

Wall Street’s biggest money managers are zeroing in on a US$142 billion segment of the municipal-bond markets.

There have been 27 muni exchange-traded fund launches this year, marking an annual record as firms like PGIM and Rockefeller Asset Management muscle into the space. That momentum represents a longer-term bet on ETFs that cater to state and local-government debt investors, given it can take years for the products to garner substantive inflows.

Municipal-bond fund managers launch record ETFs to build on US$142 billion market

Local institutions continued to support Bursa Malaysia for the ninth consecutive week, recording net equity purchases of RM1.05 billion million last week, according to MIDF Research.

This was an increase from the net inflow of RM995.5 million in the preceding week.

Local institutions extend buying streak on Bursa Malaysia for ninth week

Tuju Setia Bhd (KL:TJSETIA) has secured a contract worth RM389 million to build serviced apartments in Wangsa Maju, Setapak.

The contract involves construction of two blocks of 52-storey serviced apartments with 17 levels of automated car park, with rooftop facilities and common facilities at ground floor under the Milla Residence, the company said in a statement.

Tuju Setia wins RM389 mil construction contract

By asserting greater control over its oil and gas resources, Sarawak has forced Malaysia to confront a fundamental question: How much decentralisation is too much in a nation built on centralised governance? The recent announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that negotiations betw...

My Say: Sarawak’s oil autonomy: A turning point for federalism and resource governance

EDGE WEEKLY: Medically (not) insured

KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd, a unit of national oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), on Monday said that it has acquired 486 acres (196.68 hectares) of Bandar Malaysia land for an undisclosed price.

KLCC Holdings to develop 486 acres of land acquired from Bandar Malaysia

A scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, which was set to take place in Langkawi on Monday has been postponed.

Anwar said he had arrived in Langkawi for the meeting, but Prabowo requested a few days' postponement due to illness on Sunday night.

Prabowo unwell, meeting with Anwar postponed

The case involving GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Nasiruddin Mohd Ali, his wife Azura Md Yusof, and 20 others charged with being members of an organised criminal group has been transferred to the Shah Alam High Court.

Trial of GISB CEO, 21 others transferred to Shah Alam High Court

Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd has updated its sustainability reporting requirements in the Main Market and ACE Market listing requirements to align with the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF).

Bursa updates sustainability reporting to align with National Sustainability Reporting Framework

The voting pattern at Tomypak Holdings Bhd’s (KL:TOMYPAK) recent annual general meeting (AGM) clearly shows that a group of shareholders with about 88 million shares, representing 20% of the company, are at odds with the current management. The 20% block voted against all seven resolutions tabled during the AGM held last week. During the meeting, an independent director, who had served on the board since 2015, was not retained.

Frankly Speaking: Interesting signs emerge at Tomypak’s AGM

Shares of Top Glove Corporation Bhd (KL:TOPGLOV) may have little upside as valuations stretched with the recent rally in share prices while earnings outlook remained clouded by both costs and sales concerns.

Top Glove shares have may little further upside amid stretched valuations, outlook cloudy — analysts

Malaysia Airlines Bhd has grounded its brand-new Airbus A330neo for at least 48 hours following “a series of technical issues” in less than a week since its inaugural flight, Business Times reported.

Malaysia Airlines grounds new Airbus plane barely days after first flight — report

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd will give a one-off payment to junior employees globally for the second year in a row to alleviate ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

OCBC junior staff to receive S$7.5 mil cost-of-living payout

Bursa Malaysia Bhd (KL:BURSA) said on Monday that it is currently embarking on the succession of its chief executive officer Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift through its nomination and remuneration committee.

Bursa Malaysia says embarking on CEO succession

KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd, a unit of national oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), on Monday said that it has acquired 486 acres (196.68 hectares) of Bandar Malaysia land for an undisclosed price.

President-elect Donald Trump threatened to reassert US control over the Panama Canal on Sunday, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage and drawing a sharp rebuke from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.

Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal over transit fees

Asian shares rallied on Monday after a benign reading on US inflation restored some hope for further policy easing next year, while there was relief that Washington had averted a government shutdown.

Scandal-hit Malaysian state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) said on Monday it has filed a legal claim of more than US$1 billion (RM4.5 billion) against corporate services provider Amicorp Group and its chief executive officer, alleging the firm knowingly facilitated over US$7 billion in fraudulent transactions.

1MDB files legal claim against Amicorp Group seeking over US$1b for alleged fraud

International Finance Corporation (IFC) and a consortium of six global financial institutions will lend over US$900 million (RM4 billion) to US-based Yondr for the construction of its data centre in Malaysia.

World Bank's IFC, consortium lend over US$900 mil to Yondr for data centre in Malaysia

Tun Musa Aman was not a contender for the position of Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah as there were others, such as current chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, in the running. His name only cropped up one month ago as a replacement for Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, whose term ends this month.

...

Alternative Views: Musa Aman’s comeback spells new chapter for Sabah politics

Personal debt is overwhelming an increasing number of Japanese as higher interest rates and the rising cost of living bite.

Consumer loans are rising at the highest rate in 16 years. Household borrowing exceeded incomes for the first time last year.

Bankruptcies, suicides rise as Japanese struggle with mounting debt

The High Court has dismissed Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh's libel suit against former inspector general of police Tan Sri Musa Hassan over his comments that she was trying to turn Malaysia into a “Christian nation”.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Arziah Mohamad Apandi in a decision delivered on Monday said that the Segambut Member of Parliament (MP) failed to establish essential elements in a defamatory suit and that there was no malice in Musa's statement. She awarded costs of RM40,000 to Musa.

Court dismisses Hannah Yeoh's suit against former IGP over 'Christian nation' comment

Shares of Top Glove Corporation Bhd (KL:TOPGLOV) may have little upside as valuations stretched with the recent rally in share prices while earnings outlook remained clouded by both costs and sales concerns.

Malaysia has been ranked first among regional peers in Southeast Asia in Knight Frank’s SEA-5 Data Centre Opportunity Index for the second consecutive year with an annual take-up of 429 megawatts (MW).

Knight Frank: Malaysia continues to lead regional data centre index

His second term doesn’t start for a month, but Donald Trump is already sending shock waves around the world.

His trade threats helped set off a cabinet crisis in Canada that has Prime Minister Justin Trudeau teetering. In Europe, tariff fears have weakened already-wobbling governments.

Trump upending global politics a month before taking office

The Madani Government’s initiative in implementing the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid is seen as a very meaningful effort in helping the people face the current cost of living challenges.

Madani government committed to ensuring people's well-being through Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah

VentureTECH Sdn Bhd and MTC Orec Sdn Bhd have formed strategic partnerships to accelerate the development of MTC Orec's biomethane plants, reinforcing both companies' commitment to sustainable growth and renewable energy innovation.

VentureTECH, MTC Orec partner to accelerate biomethane projects in Malaysia

News Corp has agreed to sell its Australian cable TV unit Foxtel to British-owned sports network DAZN for A$3.4 billion (US$2 billion or RM9.5 billion) including debt, cutting the Murdoch-controlled media empire's exposure to a business up-ended by streaming platforms.

Murdoch's News Corp to sell Foxtel to Britain's DAZN for US$2.1 bil

In a rare display of “independence”, the independent directors of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (KL:AIRPORT) told shareholders to reject the offer to take the company private.

Frankly Speaking: Funds put in a bind over MAHB

It will be a pretty quiet week ahead as Christmas, which falls on Wednesday, will see most global economies’ markets closed except for China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam. For Boxing Day, markets in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, as well as most of Europe and Canada, will also be closed. North Korea will commemorate Constitution Day on Dec 27.

The Week Ahead: Window-dressing expectation amid holiday season

Australia’s new targets for carbon emission cuts by 2035 are expected to be delayed by several months as a result of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, likely pushing them out beyond the next election which is due to be held by May.

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