Indonesia To Boost Coal Output As Oil Prices Surge

JAKARTA, March 20 (Bernama) -- Indonesia plans to increase coal production in response to rising global oil prices, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said.

Attack On Qatar's LNG Facility Raises Risk Of Wider Supply Disruptions In Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) — Asia-Pacific economies now face rising risks of physical shortages, not only of energy, following the latest Iranian attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facilities, including oil and gas but also of fertilisers and, by extension, potentially food later in the year.

IMF Warns Prolonged Energy Price Surge Could Lift Inflation

ISTANBUL, March 20 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday that a sustained rise in energy prices stemming from the war in West Asia could push global inflation higher and weigh on economic output.

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.

CPO Futures Close Higher On Energy Gains, Indonesia Biodiesel Expectations

By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Crude palm oil (CPO) futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed higher on Thursday, tracking gains in energy prices and Indonesia’s biodiesel policy expectations.

Iran Action May Send Oil To US$120 A Barrel, Asia To Bear The Brunt -- Rystad Energy

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Oil prices could hit US$120 (US$1=RM3.93) per barrel if Iranian authorities act on their implied threat to strike on five facilities across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, with Asia bearing the brunt given its dependence on Qatari volumes, according to an analyst.

Ringgit Eases Against Greenback After US Fed Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The ringgit eased against the US dollar at Thursday’s close following the United States Federal Reserve’s (Fed) decision to keep interest rates unchanged, providing support to the greenback.

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.

Gold Price Dips Below US$4,700 Per Troy Ounce For 1st Time Since Feb 6

MOSCOW, March 19 (Bernama-Sputni/RIA Novosti) -- Gold exchange prices fell 4 per cent on Thursday, dipping below US$4,700 per troy ounce, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported, citing trading data.

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.

Brent Oil Price Tops US$113 Per Barrel For 1st Time Since March 9

MOSCOW, March 19 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- Global oil prices climbed sharply on Thursday morning, with Brent breaking above US$113 per barrel, according to trading data.