Malaysia's Foreign Reserves Reach New 10-year Peak Of US$122b As Of Mid-August

Forex

Economic

Summary:

Malaysia's international reserves continued to climb to reach a new 10-year high of US$122 billion as at Aug 15, 2025, from US$121.3 billion at end-July.

Malaysia's international reserves continued to climb to reach a new 10-year high of US$122 billion as at Aug 15, 2025, from US$121.3 billion at end-July, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

The current reserves position is sufficient to finance 4.8 months of imports of goods and services and is equivalent to 0.9 times the country's total short-term external debt, the central bank said.

Short-term external debt refers to borrowings by residents from non-residents with a maturity of one year or less. These are mostly taken by domestic banks for foreign currency liquidity management and by multinational corporations borrowing from their overseas parent entities.

Such obligations are typically met through the borrowers' own external assets and do not pose direct claims on BNM's reserves.

As at mid-August, foreign currency reserves stood at US$108.4 billion, up from US$107.7 billion at end-July. Malaysia's reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remained at US$1.3 billion.

Special drawing rights, the IMF-allocated reserve assets based on a basket of major currencies, were unchanged at US$5.9 billion, while the central bank's gold holdings also stayed steady at US$4.1 billion.

Other reserve assets were maintained at US$2.3 billion.

Source: Theedgemarkets

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FXOpen

Forex

Political

Economic

On Monday, we:

● noted that the US Dollar Index (DXY) was consolidating at the start of a week packed with key events;

● outlined a descending channel (shown in red);

● highlighted that the price was trading around the channel’s median line, signalling a balanced market;

● suggested that a test of one of the quarter lines (QL or QH), which divide the channel into four parts, could take place.

As the DXY chart indicates, since then the balance has shifted in favour of buyers, with the price forming an upward trajectory (shown in purple lines) and breaking through short-term resistance R (which has now turned into support, as marked by the blue arrow). Support line S remains relevant.

Today brings the key event that may have the greatest impact on the US Dollar Index (DXY) this week – Jerome Powell’s speech at the annual Jackson Hole Symposium.

This appearance is particularly significant because:

● it is likely to be Powell’s last speech after seven years as Fed Chair, with his term expiring in May amid ongoing tensions with President Trump;

● market participants will closely monitor the tone of his remarks, as a rate cut is expected in September, while recent economic data – namely the rise in the Producer Price Index – suggest that the US economy could face renewed inflationary pressures due to Trump’s tariffs.

US Dollar Index (DXY) Rises Ahead Of Fed Chair’s Speech_1

Technical analysis of the DXY chart

From a bullish perspective, in the short term the US dollar is advancing within the purple channel, supported by:

● the lower boundary of this channel;

● the demand imbalance zone in favour of buyers (shown in green), confirmed by yesterday’s sharp bullish candle.

From a bearish perspective:

● the RSI has entered overbought territory;

● bullish momentum may fade after a breakout above the QH line;

● a key resistance at the 99 level lies nearby – a level that reclaimed its role as resistance at the beginning of August (indicated by black arrows).

A corrective pullback in the US Dollar Index (DXY) could happen after its rally to the highest level since 6 August. However, the further trajectory will largely depend on Powell’s words this evening. According to Forex Factory, the speech is scheduled for 17:00 GMT+3.

Source: FXOpen

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MarketPulse by OANDA Group

Economic

Stocks

Forex

Technical Analysis

The Japan 225 CFD Index (a proxy of the Nikkei 225 futures) rallied as expected and hit the first resistance level of 43,560 as mentioned in our previous report. It printed a fresh intraday record high of 43,943 on Monday, 18 August.Thereafter, it staged a decline of -4% to record an intraday low of 42,330 on Friday, 22 August, before it recovered to an intraday level of 42,570 at the time of writing.Several technical elements and a fundamental factor suggest that the ongoing 5-day decline is likely a minor corrective decline within its medium-term uptrend phase rather than the start of a medium-term bearish trend.

Fig. 1: Japan 225 CFD Index minor trend as of 22 Aug 2025 (Source: TradingView)

Fig. 2: Nikkei 225 component stocks above 200-day as of 22 Aug 2025 (Source: MacroMicro)

Fig. 3: Japan Citigroup Earnings Revision Index as of 15 Aug 2025 (Source: MacroMicro)

Preferred trend bias (1-3 days)

Maintain a bullish bias with short-term pivotal support at 42,000/41,760 for the Japan 225 CFD Index, and a clearance above 43,060 sees the next intermediate resistances coming at 43,470 and 44,050/44,110 (Fibonacci extension cluster levels) (see Fig. 1).

Key elements

● The 42,000/41,760 key support zone is likely an inflection point, a potential bullish reversal as it confluences with the 20-day moving average and 50% Fibonacci retracement of the prior minor up move from 1 August 2025 low to 18 August 2025 high.

● The hourly RSI momentum indicator has traced out a bullish divergence condition after it dropped towards its oversold region on Wednesday, 20 August. These observations suggest bearish momentum of the ongoing 5-day decline has started to ease.

● Market breadth has continued to improve; the percentage of the Nikkei 225 component stocks trading above their respective key 200-day moving averages has increased steadily since 1 August’s print of 74% to 82% as of Friday, August (see Fig. 2).

● Analysts, on average, have continued to upgrade their earnings outlook on Japanese corporations. The Citigroup Earnings Revision Index has been on a path of a steady uptrend since 18 April 2025’s 5-year low of -0.72; it has jumped to 0.37 as of 15 August 2025 from -0.19 printed on 18 July 2025 (see Fig. 3).

Alternative trend bias (1 to 3 days)

A break below the 41,760 key support invalidates the bullish recovery to see an extension of the corrective decline to expose the 41,275/41,070 medium-term support zone.

Source: OANDA

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Gerik

Economic

Revised contraction reveals deeper weakness

Official data released by the Federal Statistical Office showed that Germany’s economy contracted by 0.3% in the April–June period, compared with an earlier estimate of 0.1%. The revision underscores that both manufacturing and construction underperformed expectations, while household spending was also weaker than previously assessed. This follows modest growth of 0.3% in the first quarter, suggesting that the economy remains trapped in a fragile cycle of brief upticks followed by setbacks.

Economists highlight the causal role of U.S. trade policy in shaping Germany’s second-quarter downturn. ING’s Carsten Brzeski pointed out that the strong first-quarter performance was artificially boosted by “front-loading,” where German exporters accelerated shipments to the U.S. ahead of tariff implementation. Once tariffs took effect in the second quarter, this temporary demand collapsed, causing a reversal. The direct causation here is clear: U.S. tariffs not only raised costs for German exports but also distorted the timing of shipments, leaving a vacuum of demand afterward.

Domestic structural challenges

Beyond tariffs, Germany’s contraction reflects structural weaknesses in industry and consumption. Output in both manufacturing and construction was revised downward, signaling persistent inefficiencies in sectors critical to economic resilience. Household spending also fell short, pointing to fragile consumer confidence amid high uncertainty. These factors are correlated with Germany’s broader struggles over the past two years, where repeated contractions have eroded momentum and contributed to the eurozone’s sluggish performance.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s administration has made economic revitalization its central priority since taking office in May. The government has pledged a €500 billion ($582 billion) infrastructure and modernization fund over the next 12 years, designed to upgrade Germany’s outdated transport and digital networks. At the same time, dozens of companies have committed to invest €631 billion ($731.7 billion) in the country over the next three years, signaling corporate confidence despite near-term headwinds. While some of these pledges were previously planned, their consolidation is meant to strengthen investor sentiment and counteract external pressures.

Outlook and recovery prospects

Economists caution that recovery will take time. Brzeski noted that it may not be until 2026 that a more sustained rebound materializes, as Germany works through both the direct consequences of U.S. tariffs and internal bottlenecks. The causal chain here is twofold: trade restrictions directly suppress export demand, while domestic underinvestment and lagging digitization slow Germany’s ability to adapt. Correlationally, global uncertainty amplifies these weaknesses, as companies hesitate to expand amid volatile trade relations.

Germany’s sharper-than-expected contraction illustrates how external shocks and internal inefficiencies can reinforce one another. While massive investment commitments offer long-term hope, the near-term trajectory suggests continued vulnerability until trade tensions ease and domestic reforms begin to bear fruit.

Source: AP

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Gerik

Economic

Commodity

Final shipments from MP Materials

China’s July customs data revealed a sharp increase in rare earth ore imports from the U.S., reaching 4,719 metric tons after recording zero in June. Analysts attribute this spike to the final accounting of shipments from MP Materials, the sole U.S. rare earth miner. Despite the surge, the company had already ceased exports to China by July after the U.S. Department of Defense invested in MP, effectively becoming its largest shareholder. This move was aimed at reshaping the causal structure of global supply chains: Washington sought to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese processing capacity while simultaneously preventing U.S.-sourced minerals from reinforcing Beijing’s dominance.

MP clarified that its last shipments were sent in the second quarter, suggesting that July’s customs spike was due to logistical factors such as ocean transit times and warehousing delays. The discrepancy between actual export cessation and customs reporting highlights a correlation between administrative lags and trade data volatility. This does not signal a renewed trade flow but rather the clearing of existing contracts.

China’s rare earth magnet rebound

Coinciding with the surge in ore imports, China’s exports of rare earth magnets critical components in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems rose significantly. Exports to the U.S. increased by 75.5% month-on-month to 619 tons, representing a 4.8% year-on-year rise. The timing suggests a correlation: while U.S. ore shipments were winding down, China was ramping up downstream product exports, underlining its entrenched strength in processing and value-added segments of the supply chain.

The developments reflect a shifting balance in rare earth trade. On one hand, the U.S. is seeking to secure supply chains domestically through MP and government investment, showing a causal link between policy intervention and reshoring attempts. On the other hand, China remains the dominant processor and exporter of finished rare earth products, reinforcing its central role in industries tied to clean energy and defense. The dual trend underscores how raw material trade restrictions may not immediately diminish China’s leverage, as its control lies primarily in processing capacity rather than raw extraction.

The July data underscores a transitional moment: U.S. raw ore shipments are ending, yet China continues to strengthen its grip on rare earth magnet exports. This divergence illustrates the complexity of supply chain realignment, where U.S. policy intervention may secure resources domestically but does not quickly offset China’s strategic advantage in refining and high-value manufacturing.

Source: Reuters

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Gerik

Economic

Political

Energy cooperation as strategic foundation

At a joint press conference in Moscow, Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed their intention to expand trade. India plans to boost exports of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and textiles to Russia in order to narrow the imbalance created by soaring energy imports. Bilateral trade reached $68.7 billion in the year ended March 2025, yet India’s reliance on Russian oil contributed to a $59 billion deficit. This demonstrates a direct causal link: increased energy imports drive the widening trade gap, prompting India to diversify exports as a corrective measure.

Energy remains the cornerstone of the relationship. Russia has committed to maintaining crude shipments to India, with plans for joint ventures in the Russian Far East and Arctic shelf. Lavrov described these initiatives as vital for regional security and stability. India’s crude purchases averaged 1.6 million barrels per day in the first half of 2025, a dramatic rise from just 50,000 bpd in 2020. This escalation correlates with Moscow’s need for alternative buyers amid Western sanctions, while causally securing India cheaper supplies and reinforcing its energy security. In turn, Washington views this trade as undercutting its sanctions regime, intensifying U.S. scrutiny of New Delhi.

Labor and economic integration

Jaishankar also highlighted plans to send Indian workers with skills in IT, engineering, and construction to Russia to alleviate its labor shortages. This initiative illustrates a causal mechanism: Russia’s workforce constraints, exacerbated by war-related disruptions and demographic decline, create demand for foreign labor, which India can supply. For New Delhi, the arrangement secures employment opportunities abroad while further embedding economic interdependence with Moscow.

The Trump administration has threatened tariffs of up to 50% on Indian exports in response to its Russian oil purchases, contrasting sharply with Washington’s softer stance toward China, which imports even more Russian crude at around 2 million bpd. Analysts note a discrepancy: while China’s purchases are treated as continuity of pre-war trade, India’s sharp increase is framed as profiteering. This shows a correlation rather than a strict causal policy logic, as U.S. pressure reflects strategic leverage-seeking rather than purely sanctions enforcement. Experts argue the true aim is to extract concessions from New Delhi in parallel with attempts to influence Russia toward a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Strategic resilience of India-Russia ties

Despite external pressure, both sides stress that their partnership dating back to the 1970s remains one of the most stable in global geopolitics. Research fellow Daniel Balazs suggested that U.S. tariffs could paradoxically act as a catalyst for India to deepen ties with Russia and even participate in a trilateral framework with China. This dynamic highlights a feedback loop: external pressure from Washington accelerates alternative alignments in Eurasia, potentially shifting the regional balance of power.

India’s strategy illustrates a calculated balancing act. By diversifying exports, supplying labor, and doubling down on energy cooperation, New Delhi strengthens its economic and political bond with Moscow. U.S. tariffs, intended as a deterrent, may instead reinforce this partnership, underscoring how external pressure can sometimes harden rather than weaken strategic alignments.

Source: CNBC

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Daniel Carter

Cryptocurrency

Political

Eric Trump plans to visit Tokyo next month as part of his family's expanding push into the cryptocurrency industry, according to people familiar with the matter.

The US president's son plans to attend a shareholder meeting of Japanese bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet Inc on Sept 1, one of the people said, asking not to be named as the information isn't public.

Metaplanet, a hotel operator that pivoted to bitcoin accumulation early last year and has since amassed over US$2.1 billion (RM8.9 billion) worth of the token, appointed Eric Trump as a strategic adviser in March. The company is modelled on Michael Saylor's Strategy Inc.

Metaplanet's stock reversed its morning losses to rise as much as 2.1% in Tokyo on Friday after Bloomberg's report. The volatile shares have ballooned almost 800% in the past 12 months, even after more than halving in value from a peak in mid-June.

Metaplanet shareholders are set to vote on new capital raising methods at the Sept 1 meeting that Trump plans to join. His Tokyo visit will follow his attendance at the bitcoin Asia conference in Hong Kong on Aug 28-29.

Among recent developments in the Trump family's push into crypto, a little-known Las Vegas firm with roots in biotech and fintech announced a US$1.5 billion deal that will see it transform into a stockpiler of virtual tokens — including those issued by Trump-affiliated World Liberty Financial.

Separately, Trump Media & Technology Group Corp, the loss-making company behind Truth Social, raised more than US$2 billion earlier this year to buy bitcoin.

The Financial Times reported last week that cryptocurrency miner American bitcoin, which is backed by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, is hunting for potential acquisitions in Asia to hoard digital assets. It is seeking to buy a listed firm in Japan, and possibly Hong Kong, according to the report, which cited people familiar with the matter.

Japan's Financial Services Agency approved the issuance of the first yen-denominated stablecoin on Aug 18, as interest in crypto continues to grow in the country.

Japanese lawmakers including Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato are to speak at the digital assets forum WebX2025, which takes place in Tokyo on Aug 25-26.