Written by Muhazrol Muhamad, GVP, Head of Bumiputra Segment Budget 2026: What Homebuyers, Developers and Investors Should Expect Malaysia’s upcoming Budget 2026, set to be announced on 10 October 2025, is expected to significantly influence the property market. A key concern for homebuyers is whether the stamp duty exemption on properties up to RM500,000 will…

Written by Hamid R. Azarmi. Head of Business Development With interest rates diverging across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and inflation still a major concern, investors need to be more thoughtful than ever. For example, U.S. tech stocks have seen massive gains this year, especially in AI and chip-making, but many experts believe they’re overvalued.…

Written by Shan Saeed, IQI Chief Economist Financial Innuendos and Market Emotions. Reading between the Lines. The markets are dancing between what we might call economic escapades and mercantile mischief. We’re seeing a landscape where the S&P 500 is climbing, electricity prices are surging, beef and industrial metals are on the rise, and even precious…

The contents of this article were contributed by Taco Heidinga, IQI Global Strategic Advisor. In the second half of 2025, global real estate investors are focusing on markets that combine strong rental yields, capital appreciation, and strategic growth potential. The United Arab Emirates—particularly Dubai—continues to lead with robust price growth, high liquidity, and investor-friendly policies,…

By Muhazrol Muhamad, GVP, Head of Bumiputra Segment Malaysia’s property market reached a decade-high in 2024, recording over 420,000 transactions worth RM232.3 billion, with residential properties making up the majority. While Q1 2025 saw a slight cooldown—with transactions down 5.6% in volume and 12.9% in value—this appears more like a breather than a downturn. Johor…

Written by Irhamy Ahmad, Founder and Managing Director of Irhamy Valuers International Malaysia’s data centre industry is experiencing rapid expansion, cementing its position as a key Southeast Asian digital hub. By Q1 2025, operational capacity reached 522 MW, with an additional 1.1 GW expected by year-end, pushing total capacity towards 5 GW. This growth is…

Written by Shan Saeed, IQI Chief Economist In early April 2025, President Donald Trump’s announcement of “Liberation Day” tariffs rattled global markets, with fears of a trade war driving volatility in equities, currencies, and commodities. While the initial levies caused a sharp sell-off, a quick de-escalation—reducing most tariffs to 10% by April 9 and extending…

Written by Hamid R. Azarmi, Head of Business Development In September 2025, global markets are navigating a complex macroeconomic landscape marked by persistent but uneven disinflation, diverging monetary policies, and slowing yet resilient growth. U.S. core PCE inflation remains elevated at 2.8%, fuelling cautious optimism for a Federal Reserve policy shift. The Bank of England…