MONEY MASTER

Key Takeaways Strong 4Q GDP reduces pressure for rate hikes Stable OPR shifts focus from policy to earnings Services and construction remain key growth drivers Domestic demand stocks may outperform in 2026 Ringgit and inflation trends remain crucial watchpoints Malaysia’s stronger-than-expected economic performance in late 2025 has  reduced the urgency for policy changes , giving investors clearer signals on what matters next. With  4Q2025 GDP growth coming in at 5.7% , economists now expect  Bank Negara Malaysia  to  keep the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged  at its January meeting. Stable interest rates remove near-term policy uncertainty — but they also shift investor focus away from rate speculation and toward  earnings, sectors, and currencies . What Investors Should Watch Next 1. Earnings Momentum in Rate-Sensitive Sectors A steady OPR supports  bank margins, property developers, and consumer stocks  by keeping borrowing costs pred...

Key Takeaways EU leaders to hold emergency meeting over US tariff threat Trump plans 10% tariffs on eight European countries from Feb 1 EU considering retaliatory tariffs on €93bn of US goods Tariffs seen as incompatible with EU-US trade agreement Anti-coercion instrument under discussion Trade tensions could reintroduce market volatility European Union leaders are preparing for an  emergency meeting  this week as tensions with the US escalate following President  Donald Trump ’s latest tariff threat, raising the risk of another transatlantic trade confrontation. According to  Bloomberg , EU leaders plan to meet in person near the end of the week to discuss potential responses after Trump announced  10% tariffs on eight European countries , set to take effect on  Feb 1 , linked to their stance on Greenland. EU member states are weighing  retaliatory tariffs on up to €93 billion worth of US goods , a move that would mark a significant escalation. EU amb...

China Vanke — once seen as the "too-prudent-to-fail" face of China’s property market — is now asking banks for up to  10 years  to repay some of its loans. The move underscores the  deep liquidity crisis  facing one of China’s largest state-backed developers. The Ask Vanke has  proposed to major Chinese banks  a  loan extension of up to a decade , sources tell Bloomberg. Some banks are reviewing the request, while others hesitate — waiting on  regulatory signals  before committing. Why now? Because the numbers don’t lie: 361 billion yuan  in total interest-bearing debt (as of 2024) 44%  of that debt matures within  12 months 258 billion yuan  of that debt =  bank loans A Grim First Half Vanke recently warned of a  US$1.67 billion  (RM7.09 billion) net loss in 1H2025 — deeper than expected, amplifying its repayment pressure. Despite being state-backed, Vanke has struggled to withstand China’s 5-year property ...