MONEY MASTER

Fresh geopolitical escalation involving the US and Iran triggered a broad risk-off move across global markets, sending oil prices sharply higher while equities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies came under pressure. Key Market Moves Brent crude surged nearly 4%  to around US$98/barrel MSCI All Country World Index fell 0.4%  from record highs Asian equities dropped sharply, with: Hang Seng: -2.3% ASX 200: -1.6% Topix: -1.1% US 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.53% US dollar strengthened  as investors sought safe-haven assets Bitcoin fell to a six-week low What Triggered The Selloff? The latest wave of volatility came after: US forces launched airstrikes on Iranian military targets New sanctions were imposed around the Strait of Hormuz Iran reportedly retaliated by targeting a US airbase Additional drone attacks near the Gulf region heightened fears of wider conflict escalation Markets had previously rallied on hopes that US-Iran negotiations could eventually ease tensions and ...

Shares of  PETRONAS Chemicals  rose after a return to profitability in 1Q, though analysts remain  cautious on the sustainability of the recovery . Share Price Rises on Earnings Turnaround The stock gained  4.2% to RM5.68 , extending a strong rally of nearly  92% since late February . The rebound was driven by: Higher petrochemical prices Improved  product spreads Stronger  sales volumes However, these gains were largely supported by  supply disruptions linked to Middle East tensions , rather than structural demand recovery. Analysts Divided on Outlook Sentiment remains mixed among research houses: 9 ‘buy’ ,  9 ‘hold’ ,  1 ‘sell’  recommendation Average target price: RM6.08 (~7% upside) While earnings forecasts have been revised higher, many analysts maintain  neutral stances  due to lingering risks. Operational and Demand Risks Persist Key concerns highlighted by analysts include: Lower utilisation rates  expected in...

The  surge  in  oil  prices  triggered  by  the  US- Israel  war  with  Iran  may  not  fade  quickly —  even  after  the  fighting  stops.  Damage  to  global  supply  chains  and  energy  infrastructure  could  keep  gasoline  prices  elevated  across  America  for  months. Oil  Near $100  Means  Higher  Gasoline  Costs Crude oil   has  hovered  near  US$100  per  barrel ,  pushing  US  gasoline  prices  sharply  higher. A  common  rule  of  thumb: Every  US$10  rise  in  oil Adds  roughly  20  cents  per  gallon   to  US  gas  prices Higher  gasoline  prices  ripple  through  the  broader  economy: Tr...

Global  banks  are  scaling  back  operations  in  the  Gulf  as  the  Iran  conflict  deepens,  with  Citibank  temporarily  closing  most  of  its  UAE  branches  and  evacuating  staff  from  key  financial  districts. Citi  Closes  UAE  Branches  Until  March 14 Citibank   will  shut  most  of  its  branches  and  financial  centres  across  the  United  Arab  Emirates  through  March 14  as  a  precautionary  measure. Mall  of  the  Emirates  branch  remains  open Reopening  planned  for  March 16 Citiphone  services  operating  at  limited  capacity Cheque  processing  expected  to  face  delays Earlier  this  we...

Iran has warned global markets to prepare for oil at  US$200 per barrel , escalating rhetoric as attacks intensify and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively frozen. While oil prices have retreated from recent highs near US$120, Tehran’s message underscores the growing risk of a prolonged energy shock. Key Takeaways Iran warns oil could surge to US$200 per barrel Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, disrupting 20% of global oil flows 14 merchant ships reportedly struck since conflict began IEA expected to propose record 400 million-barrel reserve release Markets currently betting conflict may be contained Oil Market on Edge Iran’s military command said oil prices depend on regional security — warning the world to prepare for US$200 crude if instability persists. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint along Iran’s coast, normally handles: About 20% of global oil shipments A significant share of global LNG trade So far: At least 14 ships have reportedly been struck...

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured Malaysians that  the country’s petroleum product supplies are secured at least until May 2026 , despite heightened Middle East tensions and volatile oil prices. The government is moving swiftly to safeguard fiscal stability and prevent supply disruptions as global crude markets remain unstable. Key Takeaways Petroleum supplies secured until May 2026 RON95 petrol price maintained at RM1.99 per litre Special Cabinet meeting set to review fiscal position Government to cut discretionary spending immediately Daily monitoring panel established to track Middle East developments Supply Situation Under Control Following sharp swings in oil prices after US-Israel strikes on Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the government confirmed that fuel supplies remain stable. According to Moody’s Ratings: Malaysia imports roughly 25% of its crude oil needs Despite this exposure, supply buffers are in place. The government will cont...

Escalating Middle East tensions are reigniting momentum in commodity markets, and Maybank Investment Bank sees  short-term trading opportunities emerging in oil- and aluminium-linked counters  despite broader equity volatility. Crude oil has jumped nearly 46% in just two weeks — the sharpest rally since the post-pandemic rebound — while aluminium continues its bullish climb. Key Takeaways Crude oil up nearly 46% in two weeks Aluminium extends rally, widening producer margins Maybank highlights PETRONAS Chemicals and Press Metal as trading plays Elevated freight rates may benefit Westports Defensive yield plays remain attractive FBM KLCI 2026 target maintained at 1,780 (bear case: 1,550) Commodity-Linked Stocks in Focus Maybank identifies tactical opportunities in: PETRONAS Chemicals Group Bhd  – Higher average selling prices amid oil spike Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd  – Wider aluminium spreads Westports Holdings Bhd  – Potential upside from elevated freig...

While global markets reel from surging oil prices triggered by the Iran war, one unlikely market is showing resilience — China. Despite being the world’s largest crude importer, Chinese stocks, bonds and the yuan have held firm, outperforming most major markets during the recent turmoil. Key Takeaways CSI 300 down just 0.3% since conflict began Yuan steady; trade-weighted RMB index hits one-year high 10-year China bond yields barely moved (+1bp) Strategic reserves and EV dominance cushion oil shock Resilience seen as tactical, not structural China vs. Global Markets Since late February: Japan: -6% South Korea: -9% India: -4% Europe: -5% US: -1.4% China (CSI 300): -0.3% China has preserved capital better than most global markets during the oil spike. The yuan has outperformed nearly all Asian currencies, while China’s 10-year government bond yield rose just 1 basis point — compared with more than 20 basis points for US Treasuries. Why China Is Holding Up 1. Energy Security Strategy For ...

Shares of  NVIDIA Corp  fell in premarket trading as escalating Middle East tensions raised concerns about energy costs and broader semiconductor supply chain risks. Key Takeaways Nvidia fell 1.3% in premarket; down 4.7% YTD Chip stocks broadly weaker amid oil shock fears Main risk is rising energy costs, not direct production shutdowns Asian semiconductor suppliers hit hardest Chip Sector Under Pressure Advanced Micro Devices Inc.  and  Broadcom Inc.  both declined in premarket trading. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.  dropped over 4% in Taiwan trading. Key Point: The immediate threat is not factory shutdowns — it’s higher energy and transportation costs squeezing margins. Semiconductor fabrication facilities are extremely energy intensive. Sustained increases in electricity and fuel costs could materially impact production economics. Asia Bears the Brunt Asian chip suppliers have fallen sharply due to heavy reliance on Middle East energy flows thro...