European Central Bank Leaves Rates Unchanged Amidst Heightened Geopolitical Tensions

FRANKFURT, March 20 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday kept key interest rates unchanged as heightened geopolitical tensions weigh on the outlook of inflation and economy in the euro area, reported Xinhua.

European Energy Prices Rise Amid West Asia Tensions

LONDON, March 19 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- European gas and oil prices rose sharply in early trading on Thursday as escalating tensions in West Asia and attacks on energy infrastructure in Qatar and Iran have heightened concerns over supply disruptions, reported Xinhua.

Rubber Market Ends Mixed As West Asia Conflict Drives Profit-taking

By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur rubber market ended mixed on Thursday, as the West Asia conflict influenced crude oil prices, prompting profit-taking activities, a trader said.

Asian Shares Plunge As Iran Conflict Worsens

BEIJING, March 19 (Bernama-dpa-AFX) -- Asian stocks nosedived on Thursday as rising oil prices following attacks on key energy infrastructure in West Asia rekindled concerns about inflation, interest rates, and the regional growth outlook, reported dpa-AFX.

Bursa Malaysia Ends Lower Due To Late Selling, Tracking Regional Weakness

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended lower today due to late selling in selected heavyweights, particularly in the healthcare, utilities and financial services sectors and was also in sync with regional market weakness.

Bursa Malaysia Opens Lower As Wall Street Weakness Weighs

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia opened lower on Thursday, with the benchmark index tracking overnight weakness on Wall Street.

Ringgit Up Against Major Currencies, Softens Vs Greenback At Open

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The ringgit opened higher against major currencies but eased against the US dollar this morning as cautious global sentiment continued to weigh on emerging market currencies.

Oil May Rise On Conflict, Fall To US$80-US$90 If War Ends By Mid-April

By Rosemarie Khoo Mohd Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- Crude oil prices can go even higher than current levels of US$100-US$103 per barrel if the war in West Asia continues affecting passageway in the Strait of Hormuz and supply tightness becomes more acute, Kpler senior crude oil analyst Muyu Xu said today.

Medical Sector To Remain Unaffected By Ongoing Geopolitical Tension -- Sunway Healthcare

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian medical sector is not affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East; hence, the outlook for the medical tourism sector remains strong for this year, said Sunway Healthcare Holdings Bhd. 

Ringgit Firms Against US Dollar, May See Further Gains

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- The ringgit traded firmer against the US dollar this morning amid cautious investor positioning ahead of the United States (US) Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy decision and improving risk appetite.

Domestic Sectors Hold Resilient Amid Oil Volatility - Maybank IB

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s domestic sectors are expected to remain resilient despite near-term market jitters, Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) said.

Funds May Favour Commodity Exporters Like Malaysia Amid West Asia Uncertainties - Economist

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Heightened geopolitical uncertainty surrounding developments in the Strait of Hormuz could influence global capital flows, with commodity-exporting economies such as Malaysia potentially better positioned amid rising energy prices.