Gold spot prices crawled up last week but remained in modesty. This week, we forecast the market will thread within USD2920 – USD2960 /oz initially. However, the market carries a potential in piercing…
Economy
Weekly Rubber Report – 24 Feb 2025
Market Fundamentals: Rubber prices remained steady as the U.S. Dollar Index (USDX) was on the verge of devaluation. However, the TOCOM Rubber has begun to stagnate and trigger a spread ratio between t…
Investor sentiment likely to improve as Philippines is removed from ‘gray list’
THE PHILIPPINES’ exit from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “gray list” is seen to improve investor sentiment, but analysts noted that continued reforms are necessary to sustain progress. The …
US grants for two key Nepal infrastructure projects suspended after Trump order
Two major infrastructure projects in Nepal funded by the US have been put on hold after President Donald Trump suspended all foreign development assistance, a government official said on Thursday (Feb…
Malaysia’s economy ends 2024 on high note amid strong investment, domestic spending
Malaysia’s economy grew faster than expected in the fourth quarter of 2024 amid strong domestic demand and a recovery in exports, the central bank said on Friday, as it expects investment activi…
Malaysia’s Johor-Singapore SEZ gets US$150 million boost from Hong Kong battery maker
UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei told the media that Asean was a bright spot for trade diversification in light of the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump’s administration and global uncertainties…
Commodity Market Report – 17 Feb 2025
Gold spot prices hit record higher at USD2942 /oz last week and retreated. Market settled at USD2883 /oz on Friday. This week, we project the trend will trade lower and move within the range of USD284…
Weekly Rubber Report – 17 Feb 2025
Market Fundamentals: Rubber prices gained traction in growing demand despite a potential U.S.-China trade war is rising soon. The fall in Dollar Index (USDX) has triggered a push in SICOM Rubber while…
Vietnam’s high-stakes economic pivot
Despite the impact of super Typhoon Yagi and a stormy geopolitical landscape, Vietnam’s GDP grew by 7.09 per cent in 2024, exceeding international forecast figures. But 2024 was not just a reset for V…
Sri Lanka struggles to deliver a new era of post-crisis growth
Sri Lanka’s National People’s Power (NPP) government, led by the charismatic President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, entered office in late 2024 at a turning point in the country’s economic history. Sri L…