Oil Price Shocks, Inflation and the Fragility of the Global Economy

By Dr Phar Kim Beng

Few economic indicators shape global stability as decisively as the price of oil. 

Jet Fuel Surge Hits Asia's Airlines, Carriers Raise Surcharges

By Kisho Kumari Sucedaram

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Airlines in Asia are reviewing fares and operational plans as rising jet fuel prices linked to escalating conflict in West Asia begin to ripple across the aviation industry, with some carriers already introducing fuel surcharge adjustments.

Crude Oil Retreats From US$100 Per Barrel As G7 Signals Readiness To Release Emergency Reserves

By Siti Radziah Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Oil prices retreated from their highest level since 2022 to below US$100 per barrel on Tuesday after the Group of Seven (G7) signalled its readiness to release emergency reserves, easing some of the market anxiety triggered by the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran. 

FMM Calls For Export Crisis Task Force Amid Strait Of Hormuz Disruptions

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- A coordinated government–industry response is needed to address the growing impact of the Iran-US-Israel conflict and the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz on Malaysia’s manufacturing exports and maritime trade, said the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM).

RHB IB Keeps 'neutral' Call On Transportation Sector Amid West Asia Conflict

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) maintained a “neutral” call on the transportation sector, with the ongoing West Asia conflict expected to have a limited impact on Westports Holdings Bhd, while logistics companies could benefit from higher freight rates.

RON95 Can Hold At RM1.99 Amid Oil Price Surge But Fiscal Pressure May Rise, Says Economist

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia may be able to maintain the price of RON95 fuel at RM1.99 per litre even if global oil prices rise amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, but doing so could increase fiscal pressure and affect fiscal consolidation plans, said an economist.

Malaysia Well-positioned To Support Regional Energy Supply Amid Middle East Conflict

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia can capitalise on the large-scale oil supply disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East by positioning itself as a viable and more reliable energy supplier to customers in Asia, said commentator and scholar in the field of maritime and oil and gas, Nazery Khalid.

Volatile Trade Expected On Bursa Malaysia Next Week

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia is expected to trade with intermittent volatility next week as investors reassess the implications of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, said analysts. 

Kenanga IB Sees BNM Maintaining OPR At 2.75 Pct Through 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is expected to maintain the overnight policy rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent through 2026, supported by manageable inflation and resilient domestic economic conditions, according to Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga IB). 

Bursa Malaysia Ends Morning Session Higher

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended the morning trading session higher but on a cautious note, as elevated energy costs and rising inflationary risks persisted amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

BNM Keeps OPR Steady At 2.75 Pct As Supportive Policy Stance Continues -- Economists

By Zufazlin Baharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia’s decision to keep the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) steady at 2.75 per cent reflects a policy stance that remains supportive in the face of an increasingly uncertain external environment.

Middle East Tensions Rattle Markets; Malaysia’s Strong Fundamentals Offer Buffer, Says Economist

By Rosemarie Khoo Mohd Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- The Middle East conflict, particularly disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz, has triggered heightened volatility in global markets, with investors shifting towards safe-haven assets amid concerns over energy supply security.