Industry News Update (20 Jan 2023)

 Optimistic vibes even with uncertain property market in 2023

It was an interesting year in 2022 for the Malaysia property market as we saw several initiatives by the government and improvements in sentiment among buyers and developers which led to what seemingly was a post-pandemic recovery phase for the sector.

BNM pauses rate hike, bucks consensus estimate of 25bps increase

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has paused the key rate hike, keeping the overnight policy rate (OPR) at 2.75% at its first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting this year, bucking consensus estimate of a 25- basis-point (25bps) increase.

Another 50bps OPR hike in the offing though lesser risks in the horizon now

ALTHOUGH Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unexpectedly kept interest rates on hold at 2.75% at its meeting yesterday (Jan 19), a hike towards 3.25% seems imminent in the coming months.