Ringgit Closes Higher Against Major Currencies On Strong Economic Data

By Zufazlin Baharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The ringgit closed higher against a basket of major currencies on Monday, supported by Malaysia’s latest economic data, although it slipped versus the US dollar.

MBSB IB Upgrades 2026 Export Growth Forecast To 32 Pct, Imports To 26 Pct

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- MBSB Investment Bank Bhd (MBSB IB) has upgraded its 2026 growth projection for exports to 32 per cent (2025: 6.6 per cent) and imports to 26 per cent (2025: 6.0 per cent), given the stronger-than-expected performance in September.

Malaysia’s Inflation To Remain Manageable At 1.9 Pct In 2026 — OCBC, RHB IB

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s headline inflation is expected to remain manageable at 1.9 per cent in 2026.

CIMB Expects Bank Indonesia To Raise Rates This Week

By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil

JAKARTA, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- CIMB Treasury and Market Research expects Bank Indonesia (BI) to raise its benchmark interest rate this week, bringing forward its previous December forecast amid mounting pressure on the rupiah and the risk of further capital outflows following MSCI’s proposed reclassification of Indonesia’s equity market.

Economic Reforms Over The Past Four Years Have Strengthened Malaysia -- PM Anwar

By Nurul Hanis Izmir

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 19 (Bernama) — Economic reform efforts implemented by the government over the past four years have helped boost the country’s economy and improve public well-being, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia's Inflation Eased To 1.8 Pct In September 2026 - DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s inflation eased to 1.8 per cent in September 2026 compared to 1.9 per cent in the previous month, with the index points increasing to 137.6 from 135.2 in September 2025, according to Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Bursa Malaysia Eases In Early Trade, Tracks Wall Street Losses

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index eased in early trade on Monday, tracking losses on Wall Street last Friday amid a sell-off in technology and artificial intelligence-related stocks.

Malaysia Banks On Policy Certainty, Economic Resilience To Attract Investment – Amir Hamzah

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is strengthening its business environment, policy certainty and economic resilience to attract long-term investment, with foreign and domestic direct investments reaching record highs, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

MBSB IB Sees Value In Banking Stocks Despite Cautious Trading On Bursa Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Trading activity of banking counters on Bursa Malaysia remained subdued today as investors adopted a cautious stance, with uncertainty over the bond yield outlook weighing on market sentiment.

Ringgit Opens Flat Against Greenback As Markets Weigh US Interest Rate Outlook

By Rosemarie Khoo Mohd Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- The ringgit opened flat against the US dollar on Friday as external factors, including expectations of a restrictive US monetary policy, offset support from a weaker greenback.

Malaysia Should Broaden Tax Base, Improve Subsidy Targeting To Withstand Future Shocks – IMF

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia should continue fiscal consolidation, broaden its tax base and improve subsidy targeting to strengthen its resilience to future economic shocks, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

IMF Forecasts Malaysia GDP Growth At 5.2 Pct In 2026, Moderating To 4.7 Pct In 2027

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 5.2 per cent in 2026 and 4.7 per cent in 2027, amid regional economic uncertainty, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).