Malaysia's growing prominence among western financial institutions is fueled by a blend of geopolitical shifts, robust manufacturing capabilities, and a strong green policy agenda. As global trade tensions drive companies to diversify supply chains, Malaysia has emerged as a key beneficiary. With decades of investment in high-tech manufacturing, the nation’s infrastructure supports major players like Intel, Micron, and Infineon. Additionally, a recent Standard Chartered survey of 400 financial institutions found that 25% plan to invest in Malaysia over the next year, recognizing the country's stability, advanced supply chain, and commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. Malaysia’s government is actively supporting these trends, with initiatives like the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Energy Transition Roadmap, aimed at boosting manufacturing GDP and fostering sustainable growth. With these advantages, Malaysia stands out as an increasingly attractive option for investors focused on long-term gains in manufacturing, infrastructure, and renewable energy.

President Trump’s latest tariff agenda marks a return to aggressive protectionism, with 60% tariffs on Chinese imports and 10%-20% duties on goods from other countries. Dubbed “Tariff Man,” Trump envisions using tariffs not only as revenue-generating tools but as leverage to renegotiate trade relationships worldwide. This approach could prompt ripple effects across sectors. U.S. tech and manufacturing firms relying on Chinese components may face higher costs, while agriculture could benefit if trade deals encourage other countries to buy more American goods. Yet, the complexity of implementing such sweeping policies introduces uncertainty, especially as businesses brace for potential supply chain shifts, inflationary pressure, and diplomatic pushback. While Trump’s tariffs aim to shield U.S. industries, questions linger on whether they will stoke inflation and slow growth—a gamble reminiscent of his first term's economic policies.

Citigroup’s push to reclaim a competitive edge in investment banking is underway with a focused bid to boost its presence in private equity deals. CEO Jane Fraser’s hiring of Ravi Raghavan, formerly with JPMorgan, underscores Citi’s intent to rebuild its client relationships and reposition itself as a top player in this lucrative field. Raghavan has set a goal to increase Citi’s investment banking fee market share to over 5% by 2025, aiming for a 0.5% annual increase from its current 4.6%. This growth target comes as U.S. interest rates stabilize, and private equity firms anticipate renewed M&A activity, buoyed by policy support and economic optimism. Citi’s private credit partnership with Apollo and a refreshed lending strategy are among its key steps to demonstrate commitment. Yet Citi faces fierce competition from established rivals like JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and emerging contenders like UBS, all vying for a greater share of private equity financing fees.

Global investors have been piling into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in record numbers, driven by both shifting market conditions and the recent election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. President. As of October 31, global ETF inflows reached $1.4 trillion, already surpassing 2021’s year-end record of $1.33 trillion, according to BlackRock. A post-election buying surge saw $22.2 billion flow into U.S.-listed ETFs in a single day, shattering previous records. BlackRock’s head of EMEA investment strategy, Karim Chedid, attributes the rise to heightened interest in locking in favorable yields and bolstering portfolio diversification, especially in high-yield European bonds and commodity ETFs. Meanwhile, strong U.S. equity returns and renewed optimism in China-focused funds have further accelerated flows, with emerging markets, led by China, seeing notable inflows following stimulus measures. However, experts caution that while ETF adoption remains structurally strong, the current year’s figures may not be easily repeatable.