KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index recouped earlier losses to settle higher, maintaining a more than six-year high, buoyed by continued buying interest in technology stocks, while the strengthening of the ringgit against the US dollar further lifted investor sentiment. At 2.27 pm today, the local currency strengthened to 3.9992 versus the greenback, its strongest level in more than seven years. It was last seen at this level on June 18, 2018, at 3.9960/9990. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 2.85 points or 0.17 per cent to 1,719.99 from yesterday’s close of 1,717.14. The index surpassed its previous peak of 1,719.00 recorded on Feb 26, 2019. The barometer index opened 1.30 points lower at 1,715.84 and moved between an intraday low of 1,711.89 in early trade and a high of 1,723.41 in late afternoon before slipping slightly toward the close. However, market breadth was negative with decl...
Bank Negara Malaysia left its Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 2.75%, a widely anticipated decision that reflects confidence in Malaysia’s stable growth and muted inflation outlook.
The decision, announced after the Monetary Policy Committee’s first meeting of 2026, comes after a 25-basis-point rate cut in July 2025, the country’s first easing move in five years. Since then, policymakers have opted to stay on hold, judging current conditions to be supportive enough without further stimulus.
In its statement, BNM said the current policy stance remains appropriate, balancing economic expansion with price stability, while stressing that it will continue to assess risks to growth and inflation amid a volatile global backdrop.
Inflation dynamics remain favourable. The central bank expects headline inflation to stay moderate in 2026, helped by easing global cost pressures, while core inflation is projected to remain stable and close to its long-term average, signalling an absence of excessive demand-side pressures despite ongoing economic expansion.
Quick Summary
OPR held steady at 2.75%, in line with expectations
Policy seen as supportive of growth while maintaining price stability
Inflation outlook for 2026 remains moderate and well-contained
BNM remains data-dependent amid global uncertainty
BNM sees no urgency to adjust rates, as growth remains resilient and inflation risks are well under control.
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