U.S. consumer prices increased by the most in nearly 1-1/2 years in January, with Americans facing higher costs for a range of goods and services, reinforcing the Federal Reserve's message that it was in no rush to resume cutting interest rates amid growing uncertainty over the economy.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose reciprocal tariffs as soon as Wednesday evening on every country that charges duties on U.S. imports, in a move that ratchets up fears of a widening global trade war and threatens to accelerate U.S. inflation.
Natural Rubber (NR) production decreased by 5.1 per cent in December 2024 (38,299 tonnes) as compared to November 2024 (40,341 tonnes). Year-on-year comparison showed that the production of NR increased by 26.2 per cent (December 2023: 30,342 tonnes). Production of NR in December 2024 for Malaysia was mainly contributed by smallholders sector (89.4%) as compared to estates sector (10.6%).
Most Asian stocks rose on Wednesday, led by a rally in Hong Kong’s tech sector amid growing AI optimism, while gains across other regional indices remained subdued ahead of a key U.S. inflation report.
Oil prices fell on Wednesday as an industry report showed an increase in U.S. crude stockpiles and tariff worries weighed on sentiment, paring back three days of gains driven by increasing Middle East tensions and intensifying sanctions.
Global electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales in January rose 18% year on year, as growth in Europe and the United States outpaced China for the first time since last February, research firm Rho Motion said on Wednesday.