MALAYSIA: Country Wrap: Malaysia to Face Challenges from US Restrictions. 

• As widely anticipated, China left the 1 and 5 year loan prime rates on hold today at 3.10% and 3.60% respectively. (source: MNI – Market News)
• Central Bank adds Liquidity via this Morning’s OMO. (source: MNI – Market News)
• Many local governments vowed to focus on expanding domestic demand, pushing for technological innovation and optimizing business environment this year in their recently-concluded annual local parliamentary meetings, the Shanghai Securities News reported (source: BBG)
• China’s major bourses started the week off well with the Hang Seng the star up +2.27%, CSI 300 +0.85%, Shanghai +0.45% and Shenzhen +1.21%.
• CNY:  Yuan reference rate at 7.1886 per USD, estimates 7.3361.
• Bonds: the CGB10YR edged higher in yield to 1.671%

Asian markets traded higher today, driven by optimism over easing US-China tensions following a positive call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 1.2%, with notable gains in Hong Kong, where the Hang Seng Index climbed 2.3%, and mainland Chinese shares also advanced. Japanese stocks rebounded, with the Topix Index posting its biggest intraday jump since early December, as tech and financial shares gained on expectations of a potential Bank of Japan rate hike. Broader sentiment was supported by hopes for improved US-China trade relations, though concerns about Trump's upcoming policies, including tariffs and deregulation, tempered enthusiasm. 

• South Korean equities have struggled today with political uncertainty seen as the major driver, the KOSPI last trades 0.20% lower. Foreign investors had been better buyers of South Korean equities to kick the year off, however we another day of over $200m of outflows we are now effectively flat in terms of net flows.
• Indian equities have seen heavy outflows totaling $4.5b to start the year, the Nifty 50 is trading up 0.20% today as earnings season kicks off.
• Equities in Australia & New Zealand have been mixed today, the ASX20 trades up 0.45%, while the NZX 50 closed 0.30% lower.
• US equity futures are trading slightly lower in Asia Today, please note there will be no cash equity trading tonight for Martin Luther King Day. Focus will be largely on the Inauguration of Trump and any executive orders he may sign on Day 1.

• Having softened into Friday’s close, gold opened lower today, trending down in the morning session.
• Closing at US$2,703.25 on Friday, gold trended down to $2,689.47 before rebounding in the afternoon, above key technical levels to be at $2705.40.
• The weaker than expected US inflation release last week gave hope to interest rate cuts by investors, boosting gold’s fortunes and ensuring a third week in a row of gains.
• Gold had an excellent 2024 in the back of expectations for interest rate cuts and resumption of purchases by key Global Central Banks and a report by the World Gold Council forecasts that this trend will continue in 2025.
• Gold is sensitive to interest rate changes and with the outlook for the FED at the next meeting still unclear, data releases will be a key input into gold's near term direction as it tracks the probability of a FED cut.
• The incoming President’s proposed policies present a mixed headwind for gold with increased geo-political risk could increase demand for gold’s safe haven status, whilst said policies may also ignite the USD which traditionally is challenging for gold.
• In a recent research report released by State Street Global Advisors, it projects gold bullion to hit US$3,100 in 2025 (as per BBG).