Entering 2026, diverging central bank policies are reshaping global FX and bond markets, while economic momentum shifts from developed economies toward India. Meanwhile, an upcoming leadership transition at the US Federal Reserve presents a key underappreciated risk that could trigger renewed volatility in interest rates and the US dollar.
Bursa Malaysia extended its rally to a fresh seven-year high, supported by stronger global earnings, continued buying in banking stocks and sustained foreign fund inflows, although analysts caution that near-term volatility may persist amid limited domestic catalysts.
Malaysia is facing a sharp escalation in online scam activities, with reported losses reaching RM2.7 billion between January and November, driven by increasingly sophisticated and well-organised fraud schemes. Official data shows a significant rise in cases compared to the previous year, while experts warn that the true economic impact may be far greater due to widespread underreporting.
The Malaysian ringgit extended its rally, reaching a five-year high against the US dollar, trading in a narrow range of RM4.04-RM4.05.
Fresh details have emerged in one of Southeast Asia’s biggest financial scandals, as authorities continue their crackdown on the now-defunct MBI International. New arrests, asset seizures, and revelations from the scheme’s alleged mastermind have reignited public attention on the massive Ponzi operation that duped millions and funnelled billions into questionable ‘investment’ deals.
A 58-year-old insurance agent in Malaysia has lost RM1.58 million to an investment scam. Between 19 December 2024 and 20 February 2025, she made 27 transactions, sending funds to six different bank accounts under various companies.
Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has announced a 6.3 per cent dividend for both its conventional and syariah savings accounts for 2024. This marks the fund’s highest payout since 2017 and the first time both accounts have recorded the same rate. The unexpected increase is expected to encourage more voluntary contributions from members.
Bursa Malaysia maintains market momentum with sustained institutional buying while introducing a renewable energy subsector to attract sustainability-focused investors and support Malaysia's green transition.
The Malaysian ringgit began the week steady against the US dollar, showing little movement due to a lack of market catalysts during the holiday-shortened trading week.
The Malaysian ringgit saw a slight retreat against the US dollar on Thursday, pulling back from its recent rally as investors cashed in profits following its substantial appreciation.
The Malaysian ringgit continued its upward trajectory against the US dollar at the market's opening today, breaking past the RM4.14 level for the first time since November 2021.
A 50-year-old Malaysian woman has become the latest victim of an online currency investment scam, suffering a loss of RM190,000 (approximately $40,000).
Malaysia has faced significant financial losses, primarily due to electricity theft driven by cryptocurrency mining activities, amounting to approximately RM3.4 billion ($723 million).
The Malaysian Humanitarian Organization (MHO) has unveiled a scam involving the well-known investment platform, Gigamax. The platform claimed to offer a 1% daily profit, deceiving many individuals who relied on their savings. To date, 99 individuals have reported being defrauded, with losses amounting to a staggering 4.86 million Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), approximately 1.03 million USD.
A 51-year-old single mother from Malaysia, employed as a civil servant, recently became the victim of an intricate love scam, resulting in a financial loss of RM148,200 (approximately 31,500 USD).
In response to the growing exploitation of soaring gold prices by fraudulent entities, Bank Negara Malaysia faces mounting pressure to establish comprehensive regulations for gold investment schemes. Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, director of the federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), underscored the urgency of the situation, noting the proliferation of deceptive gold investment schemes.
On Tuesday, the ringgit dipped to a low of 4.7900 against the US dollar, driven by apprehensive investors seeking refuge in the safe haven currency amidst escalating geopolitical tensions. Over the past week, the local currency has depreciated by nearly 0.9% against the US dollar, marking its weakest performance since January 1998. In conjunction with this decline, Bank Negara Malaysia has reiterated its commitment to bolstering the ringgit.
The article suggests positive prospects for Malaysia's Ringgit (MYR) based on projections by BMI, indicating potential strengthening trends in the latter half of 2024 and early 2025. Factors such as anticipated policy relaxation, stability in yield differentials, and favourable external conditions contribute to this outlook. However, whether this constitutes "good news" for the MYR ultimately depends on various factors, including economic performance, policy decisions, and external developments, which may impact currency movements.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price pauses its two-day winning streak but is anticipated to conclude the week on a positive note, trading near $77.00 per barrel during the Asian session on Friday.
On December 7, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulator warned against an unauthorized broker called Sapphire Markets, reminding the public to be aware of financial safety.