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

Treasuries rallied as fears that Donald Trump’s policies will fuel inflation eased, after the US president refrained from imposing China-specific tariffs for now.

The 10-year US yield fell as much as 10 basis points to 4.53% on Tuesday, as the market reopened after a US holiday. Meanwhile, the dollar rallied as Trump said he still plans to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada from next month, which sent currencies from both countries tumbling over 1%.

US bonds rise as tariff respite for China eases inflation fears

Orsted A/S recorded a 12.1 billion-krone (US$1.7 billion or RM7.5 billion) hit on its earnings as the costs of offshore wind farms, particularly in the US, keep rising.

Orsted takes US$1.7b hit as Trump slams offshore wind

Guggenheim Partners' chief investment officer forecast on Monday that the US Federal Reserve is likely to cut interest rates roughly every quarter in 2025, bringing the reduction to around 75 basis points or even a full percentage point this year.

Guggenheim expects Fed to cut rates about every quarter in 2025

US treasury yields slipped on Tuesday after President Donald Trump did not impose tariffs on his first day in office, suggesting a gradual approach to policies and providing relief to investors worried about inflation resurfacing.

Treasuries: US yields dip after Trump does not impose tariffs on first day

President Donald Trump launched his second term with a strident inaugural address that vowed to prioritise America’s interests with a “golden age” for the country, while taking on “a radical and corrupt establishment.”

Trump inaugural speech vows ‘golden age’ to undo US decline

President-elect Donald Trump has selected junior CFTC Commissioner Caroline Pham as acting chair of the swaps and derivatives regulator, according to people familiar with the matter.
 
The five members of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) voted on Monday to confirm Pham as acting chair, said the people, who asked not to be identified since the appointment hadn’t yet been publicly announced.

Trump picks Caroline Pham to serve as acting CFTC chair

The legions of lobbyists who have long worked the halls of Congress and federal agencies to secure their policy priorities have a new target: A shadow federal department run by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk.

Washington lobbyists turn to Musk’s DOGE to influence Trump

WASHINGTON (Jan 19): Outgoing US President Joe Biden will sign an executive order on Sunday, aimed at prioritising government resources to help economically distressed American communities — a day before he leaves the White House.

Biden to sign order to prioritise distressed 'left-behind communities'

Outgoing Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her department will start taking special accounting manoeuvres as of Jan 21 to avoid breaching the US debt limit, and urged lawmakers again to take steps to increase or suspend the statutory ceiling.

US to take extraordinary steps to avert default, Yellen says

US industrial production rose in December by more than forecast, helped by a pickup in factory output that indicates manufacturing is stabilising after two years of weakness.

US industrial production tops forecasts after Boeing strike ends

Housing starts in the US climbed in December to the fastest pace since early 2024, reflecting a surge in multifamily projects and a more modest advance in one-family homes.

New residential construction increased nearly 16% to an annualised rate of 1.5 million, rebounding after a three-month slump, according to government data released on Friday.

US housing starts top all forecasts on multifamily construction

WASHINGTON (Jan 16): President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said on Thursday that the dollar should remain the world's reserve currency, the Federal Reserve should stay independent, and that he is ready to impose tougher sanctions on Russia's oil sector.

Trump Treasury pick Bessent backs Fed independence, dollar, sanctions on Russian oil

Just days before Donald Trump returns to power, some of his Republican allies in the US Congress are warning that the president-elect's aggressive tax-cut agenda could fall victim to signs of worry in the bond market.

Republicans in Congress warn rising US bond yields could hit Trump's tax cut plans

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

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has launched a comprehensive job rotation programme as a strategic initiative to enhance governance effectiveness and reduce integrity risks, particularly at high-risk locations. 

Director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin said the programme aligns with public sector reforms and is designed to enhance the competence, productivity, and integrity of JKDM personnel.

Customs Dept implements job rotation to strengthen governance, integrity

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

MNRB Holdings Bhd (KL:MNRB) has reported a 36.93% increase in its third quarter net profit to RM115.86 million from RM84.61 million a year earlier on the back of a RM136.7 million jump in the group’s insurance service earnings.

MNRB's 3Q net profit rises 37% on higher insurance service earnings

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

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

Selangor&nbsp;State&nbsp;Land and Mines Office&nbsp;(PTGS)&nbsp;director&nbsp;Datuk Dr Yusri Zakariah&nbsp;on Tuesday confirmed that seven staff members from&nbsp;the Klang District and Land Office (PDT) were among 17 civil servants arrested over illegal land transfer activities.

Seven Klang district staff members among 17 detained over illegal land transfer activities, says S'gor Land and Mines Office

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.

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;

Stocks in India fell to their lowest level since June, as corporate earnings so far this season have offered little hope to investors betting on an economic recovery.

Indian stocks are among Asia’s biggest losers as selloff deepens

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.

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