Bank Negara unlikely to follow US Fed rate cut, eyes domestic and global conditions

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is unlikely to move in direct lockstep with the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) aggressive move which slashed interest rates by a half-point during its Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting yesterday. The Fed decided to cut the Fed Funds Rate (FFR) by 50 basis points, bringing it to 4.75 per...

Ringgit extends loss against US dollar on profit-taking after recent gains

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit extended last Friday’s loss to end easier against the US dollar on Monday on profit-taking following recent gains amid caution ahead of a US jobs report at the end of this week, an analyst said. At 6 pm, the local currency fell to 4.3550/3600 versus the greenback from last Friday’s close of...

Ringgit likely in range-bound trading this week; to stay within the RM4.63 and RM4.65 range

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The ringgit is expected to trade range-bound with a downward bias against the US dollar this week as the greenback may gain support surrounding global economic uncertainties, an analyst said. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist and social finance head Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the local currency is expected to trade between...

Moderate growth forecast for sector

PETALING JAYA: The good old days of the property market, when banks were eager to lend and buyers snapped up properties within minutes after launch, are unlikely to return – especially not in the next few years. “The euphoria of the 2011 market upcycle is long gone. Yes, the sentiment has improved in recent times, but...