Oil prices held steady in early trading on Wednesday, after rising more than 1% in the previous session on drone attacks on Russian ports and refineries, while traders awaited an expected rate cut from the US Federal Reserve.
The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits increased sharply last week, consistent with a material softening in labour market conditions.
China's auto market maintained steady expansion in August, with both production and sales reporting double-digit increases, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed on Thursday.
Rubber futures weakened across Asia this week, as higher production costs and waning auto sector demand squeezed both producers and buyers.
A veteran banker who led a Malaysian lender to record profit said the Southeast Asian country can hold off on further cutting borrowing costs as current levels are sufficient to support growth.
Economists have cautioned that Malaysia’s stronger-than-expected industrial output in July may not be sustained, as front-loading of shipments ahead of fresh US tariffs and persistent global uncertainties are likely to temper momentum in the coming months.