Economic Views

As the global economy enters 2026, growth is expected to moderate following a resilient 2025 in which major economies avoided recession, supported by strong services activity. However, structural constraints, including demographic pressures and tight labour markets, are set to weigh more heavily on momentum. Against this backdrop, the global economy is projected to transition into …

1H2026 Outlook: Global growth moderates, Malaysia maintains resilience Read More »

The crude palm oil (CPO) market is expected to enter 2026 with a softer outlook, following the relatively elevated prices recorded in 2025. MARC Ratings projects prices to range between RM3,850 per metric tonne (MT) and RM4,250/MT in 2026 (2025F: RM4,300/MT). The softer trajectory is underpinned by more favourable weather patterns, recovering yields, and a …

MARC Ratings: Crude palm oil price to soften in 2026 Read More »

The global crude oil market will enter 2026 on a weaker footing, as the combined effects of sustained high supply, subdued demand growth, and ongoing global energy transition continue to exert downward pressure on prices. Despite intermittent geopolitical issues, the fundamental imbalance between supply and demand is expected to remain a dominating factor in price …

MARC Ratings: Oil prices to stay under pressure in 2026 Read More »

On 10 October 2025, the Malaysian government announced an allocation of RM419.2 billion under Budget 2026, representing 19.7% of gross domestic product (GDP). Of this amount, RM338.2 billion is designated for operating expenditure, whereas RM81.0 billion is allocated for development expenditure. While Budget 2026 has increased slightly from the 2025 revised estimates, it incorporates downward-revised …

Budget 2026: Fiscal continuity and the pursuit of domestic resilience Read More »

On 31 July 2025, the Malaysian government unveiled the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), outlining the country’s development framework for the next five years (2026–2030). Key highlights include total investments amounting to RM611 billion, of which RM430 billion is earmarked for development expenditure. This translates into RM86 billion annually, on par with the development allocations in …

MARC Ratings: Malaysia’s 13MP signals reform commitment Read More »

Global economic growth is expected to moderate in 2H2025 as trade tensions and geopolitical risks weigh on sentiment. The US’ sweeping tariffs have reignited protectionist concerns, contributing to slower global growth. The US economy contracted by 0.2% in 1Q2025, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index for both manufacturing and services falling below the neutral 50 mark …

2H2025 Outlook: Growth to moderate amid trade risks and policy uncertainty Read More »

On April 2, the US government launched baseline tariffs of 10% on all imports to the US and reciprocal tariffs on trade partners which were deemed to have existing tariffs on the imports of US goods. This action is in line with the Trump administration’s ongoing and evolving policy on imposing trade tariffs amid rising …

MARC Ratings evaluates impact of US tariffs Read More »

Global economic growth is expected to sustain, given the continuation of monetary easing policies despite the heightened level of trade protectionism. Global growth will be supported by the US economy which appears resilient, outperforming earlier projections of recession and hard landing, largely due to a robust services sector. This sector, buoyed by job creation policies, …

2025 Macroeconomic Outlook: Growth to sustain amid monetary easing and protectionism Read More »

The palm oil market continues to face significant uncertainties heading into 2025, with supply-side challenges exacerbated by adverse weather conditions and a slower pace of replanting. Palm oil prices in 2024 have remained elevated due to global supply constraints, driven by reduced exports from the largest palm oil producer, Indonesia, as well as recent adverse …

MARC Ratings: Crude palm oil price to average higher in 2025 Read More »

The global crude oil market is grappling with multiple challenges, each exerting pressure on the near-term price trajectory. Despite OPEC+ production cuts, slow demand growth and diminishing geopolitical risk premiums have kept Brent oil prices below USD80 per barrel (bbl) since 3Q2024. Heading into 2025, oil prices are expected to be weaker compared to those …

MARC Ratings: Oil prices to moderate in 2025 on supply dynamics Read More »