Key Highlights of e-Commerce Consumers Survey 2018

The e-Commerce Consumers Survey 2018 (ECS 2018) is the first purpose built survey conducted by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to understand characteristics and behaviours of e-Commerce consumers in Malaysia.

In addition, the survey also covers challenges faced by consumers to adopt e-Commerce.

The survey focused on selected key indicators including the following:
i. e-Commerce experiences;
ii. purchasing;
iii. product delivery;
iv. product return;
v. security and privacy; and
vi. demographics and socio-economics background of consumers and non-consumers.

In the full 49 pages of survey report, let us zoom into these key highlights: 

What is the Lending Rate from various banks now? (Updated May 2019)

As most of us already knew, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) decided to reduce the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) to 3% at its last meeting on 7 May 2019. This was the first time of OPR cut since July 2016.

Historical Movement of Malaysia's benchmark interest rate (Overnight Policy Rate)

Consequently, the ceiling and floor rates of the corridor for the OPR are correspondingly reduced to 3.25% and 2.75% respectively. This in turns will affect all the borrowing rates in Malaysia.

What's the lending rates from various financial institutions following the cut?

Here you go...

Gold as an Investment. Yes or No?

Since young, our parents or grandparents kept telling us that if we have money, save it in gold. Does this still hold true nowadays given the plenty of investment choices that we are having now❓

In modern days, investors buy gold mainly as a hedging tool against political uncertainties and inflation. On top of that, many investment advisers recommend a portfolio allocation in commodities (usually of only up to 10%), which includes gold, for portfolio diversification purpose to lower down the portfolio risk. 

What is FTSE World Government Bond Index (WGBI) ???

On Monday, global stock market indices provider FTSE Russell placed Malaysia's market accessibility level in its World Government Bond Index under a review considering a downgrade from the current level of 2 (highest level of accessibility) to 1, due to concerns about market liquidity, at the end of the review period in September.

The downgrade may make the Malaysian local government ineligible for the index that helps with exposure to wider global investors. (Source: TheEdge Market news)

Double Drops !!!

Following the release of the news, Malaysian Ringgit and FBM KLCI tumbles the next day due to heavy foreign selling. USD/MYR hitting a low of 4.14 at the time of writing and seems that it will continue to falls further, if Bank Negara Malaysia decided to lower down the benchmark interest rate (OPR) in coming months.

While investors scramble to react from the news, what is this WGBI actually?

Let us have some understanding and let's get the class started below...

[UPDATE] Local and Foreign Banks Mortgage Loan Rate (as of 05 April 2019)

The following are the Base Rates, BLR and Indicative Effective Lending Rates of Financial Institutions as of 05 April 2019.

Source: Bank Negara Malaysia

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