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Malaysia launches visionary MADANI economic narrative

On July 27 2023, the Malaysian government launched the visionary MADANI economic narrative, a roadmap to pave the way for sustainable growth. The framework will guide Malaysia’s mission of socioeconomic as well as overarching strategic and tactical plans. From the economic perspective, the MADANI framework is timely in view of the upcoming Budget 2024, New […]

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Monthly Review: Monetary policy divergence exerts pressure on bond market

The latest retail and exports data suggest a slower domestic economy in the second quarter of 2023 is imminent given the anticipated slowdown in the global economy. Notably, the second straight month of moderation in the seasonally adjusted volume index of wholesale & retail trade (April: 4.7%, Mar: 9.4%) along with interest rate tightening and

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Ringgit weakness reflects Malaysia’s economic vulnerability

The sharp weakening in Malaysia’s ringgit has reached an unprecedented low based on its Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) according to data from the Bank of International Settlements (BIS). The REER is a measure of the exchange rate value weighted by trade and adjusted for inflation. On one hand, it explains that exports from Malaysia

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Monthly Review: Easing inflation and potential peak in OPR to support bond market

The local bond market saw the fifth consecutive month of net foreign inflows at RM3.0 billion in May, higher than the RM1.5 billion recorded in the prior month. The solid foreign demand reflected the attractiveness of local bonds amid the anticipated moderation in inflation this year. Local govvies continued to attract foreign interest with net

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Net foreign inflows continued for third straight month in March

Net foreign flows into the local bond market extended for the third straight month in March. Rising to RM6.6 billion from February’s RM4.3 billion, there were higher flows into local govvies (Mar: RM7.9 billion; Feb: RM4.7 billion). Local corporate bonds, on the other hand, saw wider net foreign outflows (Mar: RM1.2 billion; Feb: -RM0.4 billion).

Net foreign inflows continued for third straight month in March Read More »

Extended foreign buying of bonds in February

February saw a second consecutive month of net foreign inflows into local govvies, which surged 840% to RM4.7 billion from January’s RM0.5 billion. Consequently, foreign holdings of MGS and GII increased by RM4.0 billion and RM1.0 billion (Jan: RM1.3 billion; RM1.4 billion). Despite February’s net foreign inflows into local govvies, foreign holdings inched lower to

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Foreigners net buyers of ringgit bonds in January

In line with major government bonds, local govvies ended stronger in January. Of note, the 10y yield of Malaysian Government Securities (MGS) fell below 4.0% for the first time since August 2022. Optimism over the Malaysian economy’s prospects had improved following China’s reopening, further helping the situation. This was also supported by the easing consumer

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Local govvies mostly rallied, ringgit ended higher in November

In November, foreign outflows from the local bond market extended for the third consecutive month, albeit at a slower pace (RM1.0 billion; October: RM6.3 billion). Consequently, cumulative foreign flows YTD fell deeper into negative territory to RM8.9 billion. It is important to note, though, that the outflow was mainly attributed to redemptions of short-term government

Local govvies mostly rallied, ringgit ended higher in November Read More »