Oil May Rise On Conflict, Fall To US$80-US$90 If War Ends By Mid-April

By Rosemarie Khoo Mohd Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- Crude oil prices can go even higher than current levels of US$100-US$103 per barrel if the war in West Asia continues affecting passageway in the Strait of Hormuz and supply tightness becomes more acute, Kpler senior crude oil analyst Muyu Xu said today.

Ringgit Extends Gains Against Greenback Amid Softer Oil Prices

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- The ringgit made further gains today, closing slightly higher against the US dollar amid softer crude oil prices following strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) releases.

Maybank Research Trims Singapore 2026 GDP Growth Forecast To 3.4 Pct

SINGAPORE, March 18 (Bernama) -- Maybank Research Pte Ltd (MRPL) has revised Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to 3.4 per cent in 2026, down from its earlier projection of 3.6 per cent, amid ongoing West Asia conflicts. 

Medical Sector To Remain Unaffected By Ongoing Geopolitical Tension -- Sunway Healthcare

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian medical sector is not affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East; hence, the outlook for the medical tourism sector remains strong for this year, said Sunway Healthcare Holdings Bhd. 

Ringgit Firms Against US Dollar, May See Further Gains

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- The ringgit traded firmer against the US dollar this morning amid cautious investor positioning ahead of the United States (US) Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy decision and improving risk appetite.

OCBC Revises Brent Forecast Higher, Expects Prices Around US$100 Through Mid-year

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- OCBC Group Research has revised its Brent crude oil forecast higher, expecting prices to remain elevated at around US$100 per barrel through mid-year before easing towards US$70 per barrel by early 2027 amid ongoing supply disruptions.

Ringgit Closes Higher As Tension In Strait Of Hormuz Eases

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- The ringgit continued its upward momentum on Tuesday, closing higher against the US dollar as news of some ships being allowed safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz eased demand for safe haven assets and lifted regional currencies.

Kuala Lumpur Rubber Market Stays Mixed, Tracking Regional Futures

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur rubber market extended its mixed performance for the third consecutive trading day on Tuesday, tracking regional rubber futures, a trader said.

Manufacturing Sector Stabilised In 2H 2025, Improvement Expected In 1H 2026 - FMM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s manufacturing sector stabilised in the second half of 2025 (2H 2025) following earlier weakness, with gradual improvement expected in the first half of 2026 (1H 2026), according to the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM).

Funds May Favour Commodity Exporters Like Malaysia Amid West Asia Uncertainties - Economist

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Heightened geopolitical uncertainty surrounding developments in the Strait of Hormuz could influence global capital flows, with commodity-exporting economies such as Malaysia potentially better positioned amid rising energy prices.

ASEAN’s Future Remains Positive Amid Geopolitical Tensions In West Asia - Cheah

PETALING JAYA, March 16 (Bernama) -- The outlook for ASEAN remains optimistic despite geopolitical headwinds from the conflict in West Asia involving Iran and the United States, said Sunway Group founder and chairman Jeffrey Cheah.

Bursa Malaysia Ends Marginally Lower as West Asia Conflicts Weigh On Market Sentiment

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended marginally lower on Monday as ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia continued to weigh on market sentiment.