Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Malaysia’s headline inflation is expected to average 3.6 percent, in line with Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) recently upward revised forecast of 3.0-4.0 percent. Nonetheless, core inflation is likely to rise only modestly as growth is likely to remain under pressure.
Malaysia’s headline inflation accelerated in March on the back of higher domestic fuel prices, partly exacerbated by the low base of comparison in the preceding year. Headline inflation is expected to be more volatile from April onwards as fuel prices, which have a weighting of 7.8 percent in the CPI basket, have been adjusted on a weekly basis since March 30, ANZ Research reported.
For the first three weeks of April, fuel price is estimated to be lower by 5 percent m/m but still 23 percent higher compared with the preceding year. Given that the weight of fuel and lubricants in the CPI basket is 7.8 percent, this could potentially add 1.8ppt to the headline CPI inflation.
On-year inflation climbed higher in March, owing to a 48 percent y/y average increase in domestic fuel prices and the attendant knock-on impact on transport costs. Transport costs rose 23 percent y/y in March (February: 18 percent). During the month, core inflation, which excludes volatile items of fresh food and administered prices of goods and services, remained stable at 2.5 percent y/y.
"Growth dynamics do not point to the emergence of strong demand-pull inflationary pressures. Hence we expect core inflation to remain relatively modest. BNM is likely to peer through the inflation ascent," the report said.
