Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Malaysia’s economy recorded a solid expansion of 5.7% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to official advance estimates released on Friday, marking its fastest growth pace in more than a year. The robust performance highlights the resilience of Malaysia’s economic growth despite ongoing global uncertainties and trade-related challenges.
The October-to-December growth outperformed the 5.2% expansion seen in the third quarter of 2025 and was the strongest since the second quarter of 2024, when the economy grew by 5.9%. Data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia showed that the acceleration was largely driven by key economic sectors, including services, manufacturing, and construction, which continued to show steady momentum toward the end of the year.
Chief Statistician Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the stronger fourth-quarter GDP growth was also supported by the continued strengthening of domestic demand. Increased consumer spending, improved labor market conditions, and sustained investment activity helped underpin overall economic performance, reinforcing Malaysia’s recovery trajectory.
For the full year, Malaysia’s economy is expected to grow by 4.9% in 2025. This figure exceeds Bank Negara Malaysia’s earlier forecast range of 4% to 4.8%, although it remains slightly below the 5.1% growth recorded in 2024. The outcome reflects balanced economic expansion amid both domestic tailwinds and external headwinds.
Looking ahead, the government has projected economic growth of between 4% and 4.5% for 2026, citing uncertainties surrounding global trade conditions and tariffs. Notably, the United States has imposed a 19% tariff on most imports from Malaysia, a factor expected to weigh on export-oriented sectors and overall trade performance.
Despite these challenges, Malaysia’s strong fourth-quarter results underscore the importance of domestic demand as a key growth driver. Final GDP figures for the fourth quarter and full-year 2025 are scheduled for release on February 13, which will provide a clearer picture of the economy’s overall performance and outlook.
