Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research (Fitch Solutions) has reiterated its forecast for Malaysia’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to slow to 4.0 per cent in 2023 from 8.7 per cent last year.

Global spending on electric vehicles is surging. According a new report published by BloombergNEF on investment in the energy transition, annual spending on passenger EVs hit US$388 billion in 2022, up 53% from the year before.

Vietnam’s auto sales in January plunged 57% from a month earlier as the Lunar New Year holiday brought down demand.

Euro zone employment surged more than expected to a new record high last quarter as a surprisingly resilient economy avoided a recession, pointing to greater underlying inflation pressures that could keep interest rates high for longer.

Growth in consumer prices in the U.S. accelerated on a monthly basis in January, although the yearly pace slowed slightly, as policymakers at the Federal Reserve look for clues that its recent slew of interest rate hikes are working to quell inflation.

Asian stocks slipped while the U.S. dollar was steadfast on Wednesday, following U.S. inflation data and remarks from central bank officials that have investors worrying interest rates are going to be higher for longer.