Forex News
Standard Chartered’s Senior Economist Tommy Wu raises Hong Kong’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3.2% from 2.5%, citing robust Q4 momentum, stronger financial activity and improving consumer sentiment. The bank expects a modest housing market rebound but remains cautiously optimistic due to structural shifts and global risks. HIBOR is seen lower in H1 before gradually rising again by Q4.
Growth upgraded but risks still present
"We raise our 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3.2% (from 2.5%), given the robust growth momentum in Q4."
"We expect the financial industry to capitalise on Hong Kong’s regained impetus, notably in IPO fundraising and Renminbi internationalisation."
"Consumer sentiment is likely to improve further given the ongoing stock market rally."
"We also expect a modest rebound in the housing market."
"However, we are cautiously optimistic."
(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)
UOB economists Julia Goh and Loke Siew Ting note Malaysia’s 4Q25 GDP grew 6.3% year-on-year, the fastest since 4Q22, lifting full-year 2025 growth to 5.2%. They project real GDP growth to slow to 4.5% in 2026 as base effects and external uncertainties weigh, though domestic demand, investment, tourism and AI-related activity are expected to keep overall expansion solid.
Domestic demand cushions slower 2026 GDP
"Going forward, we expect real GDP growth to moderate to 4.5% in 2026 (from 5.2% in 2025, MOF est: 4.0%-4.5%) amid persistent external uncertainties and base effects."
"Domestic demand should remain the key anchor, supported by continued government policy measures, the rollout of catalytic initiatives under national master plans, the realisation of high approved investments, stronger tourism flows in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, and ongoing momentum from the AI boom."
"For the entire year of 2025, the current account surplus rose to MYR31.8bn or 1.6% of GDP (2024: +MYR27.7bn or 1.4%). Backed by an expected improvement in tourist activities, modest goods export growth, and continued ICT-related services exports, we project the current account surplus to reach MYR38.0bn or 1.8% of GDP in 2026 (MOF est: +MYR23.2bn or 1.1%)."
"Externally, geopolitical risks have resurfaced while US President Trump revived targeted tariff measures in mid-Jan, announcing a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran (on 12 Jan) and a 25% levy on certain advanced computing chips (on 14 Jan). Although the US Supreme Court has postponed its ruling, the one-year pause in US–China tariff escalation until Nov 2026 provides temporary stability and supports ongoing supply-chain diversification."
"This is expected to continuously offer uneven but positive spillovers to Malaysia’s trade outlook."
(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)
- Silver climbs to $77.20 after softer US CPI boosts expectations of Fed easing.
- Technicals point to consolidation, with resistance near the 50-day SMA around $79.00.
- Break below $75.00 exposes $74.01 and $70.00, while reclaiming $80.00 revives bullish momentum.
Silver (XAG/USD) price advances on Friday, bouncing off daily lows around $74 and posting gains of over 2.50%, yet it is poised to end the week on a negative note. A softer-than-expected US inflation report pushed the white metal higher, and it trades at $77.20 a troy ounce ahead of the weekend.
XAG/USD Price Forecast: Technical outlook
Silver is down 0.85% in the week, after beginning the week at around $80.00. Nevertheless, US stocks plunged on Thursday, pushing XAG downward, which has recently moved in sympathy with equities.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests that the precious metal is poised to trade sideways, capped on the upside by the 50-day SMA at $79.08 and the floor level is seen at $64.41 where the 100-day SMA lies.
If XAG/USD dives below $75.00, the first support would be the February 13 low of $74.01. Once cleared, the next stop would be the $70.00 figure, ahead of the 100-day SMA.
On the upside, if XAG/USD reclaims $80.00, the first resistance would be the December 29 high at $83.75, ahead of the February 11 high at $86.30.
XAG/USD Price Chart – Daily
Silver FAQs
Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.
Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.
Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.
Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.
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