0810 GMT - Current valuations of Malaysia's consumer sector have likely largely priced in near-term concerns of rising costs, TA Securities analyst Liew Yi Jiet says in a note. Inflation is being pushed up by rising global energy prices. However, consumer stable companies should withstand higher costs concerns, partly due to their pricing power and well-established distribution networks. "These factors enable selective cost pass-through and margin preservation, reinforcing the sector's appeal as defensive earnings play amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and potential risk-off sentiment," the analyst says. TA Securities maintains its overweight rating on Malaysia's consumer sector. (amanda.lee@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 16, 2026 04:10 ET (08:10 GMT)
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