19/10/2026
*Etiqa Investment Key Highlights - Week 12 October - 16 October 2026*
Hello! 🌅
🇺🇸 U.S. stocks had a mixed and bumpy week. Investors got nervous that big technology companies are borrowing too much money for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom, causing tech stocks to suffer their biggest drop in months. On the bright side, the overall market didn't collapse because investors simply moved their money out of risky tech stocks and into safer, traditional companies like banks and energy providers.
Weekly Return:
S&P 500 Index: 🔻 1.95%
Nasdaq Composite: 🔻 4.48%
Dow Jones Industrial: 🔼 0.67%
🌍 Asian markets were very careful and stayed in a holding pattern this week. Early on, the big drop in U.S. tech stocks scared investors, causing some money to flow out of Asian tech markets. However, local markets recovered before the weekend because local Asian companies reported strong profits and regional central banks signaled they won't rush to raise interest rates.
🇲🇾 Bursa Malaysia fell slightly to 1,607.76 over the week because global tech worries and normal pre-budget caution caused some foreign investors to pull out. However, the drop was small because Malaysia's economy is fundamentally healthy—new data showed our economy grew by a strong 5.3% in the third quarter, while the Ringgit held steady at RM4.08.
⛽ Crude oil prices experienced extreme, rapid volatility as sudden fighting and military conflicts in the Middle East made investors panic about oil shortages.
• Oil Prices: Brent crude jumped up sharply to settle near $109.86 a barrel. Prices spiked wildly after drone attacks hit energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and a cargo ship was attacked near the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, though the panic calmed down slightly before the weekend.
