Analysis
AI cycle enters second phase as infrastructure bottlenecks shift, Kenanga says
The artificial intelligence (AI) investment cycle is entering a second phase in 2026, with demand broadening beyond GPUs to inference, AI agents and commercial applications, creating new opportunities across optical connectivity, power, advanced packaging and semiconductor equipment, Kenanga Research said on Monday.
Singapore EV sales seen rising 34 percent in 2026, BMI says
Singapore’s electric vehicle (EV) transition is entering a more mature, policy-dependent phase, with sales forecast to rise 34.3 percent in 2026 as government incentives, cheaper models from China and expanding charging infrastructure support adoption, BMI Country Risk And Industry Research said on Thursday.
Asia’s grid investment accelerates, but Indonesia and Thailand risk falling behind – BMI
Grid investment is accelerating across developed East Asia as power networks struggle to keep pace with rapid renewable energy deployment, while slower spending in Indonesia and Thailand risks constraining renewables growth and widening the gap with regional peers, BMI Country Risk and Industry Research said.
Asia EV adoption broadens as China weighs on vehicle sales – BMI
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption across Asia-Pacific is set to broaden beyond China into India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, even as weaker demand in Mainland China weighs on overall regional vehicle sales in 2026, BMI Country Risk and Industry Research said on Monday.
Philippines data center pipeline expands as AI demand drives larger campuses – BMI
The Philippines is set for a significant expansion of data center capacity, with 221MW of planned projects and 43MW under construction, as operators increasingly develop larger, higher-density facilities designed to support artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, BMI Country Risk and Industry Research said on last Friday.
AI boom to support APAC growth despite energy risks – S&P
Asia-Pacific’s economic growth is expected to remain resilient as an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technology export boom supports the region, although weak domestic demand in China, elevated energy prices and tighter US monetary policy pose risks, S&P Global Ratings said on Tuesday.
Lower CRESS charge to spur Malaysia solar project awards, analysts say
Malaysia's cut in the system access charge for firm renewable energy supply is expected to accelerate the rollout of corporate renewable energy projects, with solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPCC) awards potentially starting from the fourth quarter of 2026, according to research houses.
Faster net-zero transition could raise ASEAN+3 corporate credit risks, AMRO says
A faster and more aggressive shift towards net-zero emissions could increase corporate credit risks across ASEAN+3 economies, particularly in energy-intensive sectors, while a more gradual climate transition may give companies greater time to adjust their operations and financial positions, according to the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO)…
Malaysia EV sales surge as localized production reshapes auto market
Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) market is gaining momentum, with year-to-date sales more than doubling in the first eight months of 2026 as automakers shift towards locally assembled models, while competition from Chinese brands and national marques is reshaping the automotive market, according to Kenanga Research and BIMB Securities.
BIMB sees investment potential in Malaysia’s climate-resilient infrastructure
Malaysia’s climate resilience investment opportunity extends beyond renewable energy and green buildings to infrastructure that can keep cities functioning during floods, heatwaves and other disruptions, BIMB Securities said on Thursday.
