Key Takeaways Renewed US-Iran tensions pushed Brent crude briefly above US$80 , reigniting concerns over global energy supplies. Despite geopolitical uncertainty, Wall Street avoided a sharp sell-off , suggesting investors believe the conflict remains manageable for now. Higher oil prices have revived expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike , as markets worry about renewed inflation. Technology stocks remained relatively resilient , showing that AI continues to provide underlying support for equities. The next move in oil prices could determine whether market volatility returns. Market Insight When news broke that the US had launched fresh strikes on Iran , investors immediately rushed into the oil market. Brent crude briefly climbed above US$80 a barrel , as fears grew that escalating tensions could disrupt supplies through the Strait of Hormuz , one of the world's busiest energy shipping routes. Yet the reaction in equities was far more measured. Although the S...
I'm continuing from where I left last year regarding this topic ..... links. No doubt, EPF is the safest bet for our retirement besides FD, which is why it is necessary for us to save some money in EPF. So this means that EPF is necessary.....only as retirement fund in which I would assume it will not be sufficient as well. The debate on EPF and KLCI is actually started when our DPM announced that EPF contribution by employee can be reduced to 8% where the extra 3% can be use to spur the economy ....as if the 3% would make a different. Unless your annual income is more than RM75k, reducing to 8% only benefits the government. You only pay more income tax by reducing it to 8%. Take the following scenario:- Annual income = RM55 000 a) EPF contribution (11%) = RM6 050 (max income tax deductable capped at 6k) b) EPF contribution (8%) = RM4 400 (RM1 600 extra is taxable) From the above scenario, by just changing the EPF contribution 3% less, you will have RM1600 extra, which is taxable,...