Asian Stocks Plunge Following Trump's Ultimatum To Iran

TOKYO, March 23 (Bernama-dpa) -- Asian markets opened sharply lower on Monday following an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump to Iran, reported Geman Press Agency (dpa). 

Iran's Khamenei Absent On Persian New Year As Speech Read Out On TV

TEHRAN, March 21 (Bernama-dpa) -- People in Iran eagerly awaited a first public appearance by the country's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Persian New Year, or Nowruz, on Friday - but a speech attributed to him was instead read out on state television.

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.

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.

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.

Malaysia’s Macro Position Is Stronger To Weather Shock Compared To Pandemic Era, Says World Bank's Apurva

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s stronger ringgit is helping to ease the impact of rising global import prices, although the country’s import cover has declined, compared with pre-COVID 19 pandemic levels, said the World Bank's lead economist for Malaysia, Dr Apurva Sanghi.

ECB To Announce Interest Rate Decision Amid Iran Conflict, Oil Price Surge

FRANKFURT, March 19 (Bernama-dpa) -- The European Central Bank (ECB) is set to announce its latest decision on interest rates on Wednesday against the backdrop of surging oil prices due to the conflict in West Asia, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

GWI: Middle East Desalination Holds Despite Conflict

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Global Water Intelligence (GWI) DesalData, a global desalination and water reuse market intelligence platform, projected that the Middle East's desalination project pipeline will remain largely intact despite the ongoing regional conflict involving Iran.