We’re taking a closer look at how Southeast Asian banks are positioned heading into 2026, a year shaped by shifting interest-rate expectations, uneven economic momentum across the region, and evolving credit-market conditions. To help us break down what this means, we’re joined by Rena Kwok, Senior Credit Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence



Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

<ul><li>We’re taking a closer look at how Southeast Asian banks are positioned heading into 2026, a year shaped by shifting interest-rate expectations, uneven economic momentum across the region, and evolving credit-market conditions. To help us break down what this means, we’re joined by Rena Kwok, Senior Credit Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence</li></ul>Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Opinion and analysis of today’s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Opinion and analysis of today&rsquo;s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Morning Brief

Mixed Picture for Southeast Asian Banks 2026

Investors are being selective about their portfolio positioning amid inflamed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Within Asia, that has started to translate into renewed interest in markets like Malaysia, where relative stability, yield, and diversification are coming back into focus. But can this investment momentum be sustained? We discuss this with Dr. Calvin Cheong, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting at HELP University.



Image Credit: Shutterstock. 

Investors are being selective about their portfolio positioning&nbsp;amid inflamed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Within Asia, that has started to translate into renewed interest in markets like Malaysia, where relative stability, yield, and diversification are coming back into focus. But can this investment momentum be sustained? We discuss this with Dr. Calvin Cheong, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting at HELP University.Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Global Funds Turn Positive on Malaysia

Malaysia’s food prices are under pressure as global tensions in West Asia disrupt fertiliser supplies and push up energy costs. How will these global shocks affect the prices of everyday essentials? We discuss these issues with Professor Datin Paduka Dr Fatimah Mohamed Arshad, Food Security Chair at the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security of UPM.


Image Credit: Shutterstock

<ul><li>Malaysia’s food prices are under pressure as global tensions in West Asia disrupt fertiliser supplies and push up energy costs. How will these global shocks affect the prices of everyday essentials? We discuss these issues with Professor Datin Paduka Dr Fatimah Mohamed Arshad, Food Security Chair at the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security of UPM.</li></ul> Image Credit: Shutterstock

How Global Shocks Are Driving Up Malaysia’s Food Prices

Even as the war in Iran continues with no clear end, President Donald Trump already has his sights on another country: Cuba. The island state is undergoing a severe energy crisis as a result of a US blockade on oil supplies to Havana. Why is Trump threatening to take over Cuba? We discuss Cuba-US relations with Prof. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda from UCLA.



Image Credit: Shutterstock. 

Even as the war in Iran continues with no clear end, President Donald Trump already has his sights on another country: Cuba. The island state is undergoing a severe energy crisis as a result of a US blockade on oil supplies to Havana. Why is Trump threatening to take over Cuba? We discuss Cuba-US relations with Prof. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda from UCLA.Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Mixed Picture for Southeast Asian Banks 2026

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