0322 GMT - Malaysia's domestic fundamentals are expected to help cushion external headwinds in 2Q, TA Securities analyst Farid Burhanuddin says in a note. He expects GDP growth to moderate to 4.9% in 2Q, versus 1Q's 5.4%, before easing further to 4.1%-4.0% in 2H amid softer external demand and global uncertainties. Inflation risks remain tilted higher, with consumer inflation potentially rising above 2.0% in coming months as transportation and other cost pressures filter through the economy, he reckons. Still, he expects Bank Negara Malaysia to keep the overnight policy rate unchanged at 2.75% this year, unless growth conditions weaken more than expected. TA Securities maintains its Malaysia 2026 growth estimate at 4.3%-4.7%. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 17, 2026 23:22 ET (03:22 GMT)

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