SINGAPORE (Dec 7): The pushback against palm oil is escalating given the industry has been accused of widespread deforestation, transboundary pollution, displaced wildlife and even human rights abuses.

Next year, the EU will finalise a method to determine which biofuels are high-risk in...

The pushback against palm oil

SINGAPORE (Nov 5): For more than two years, ISR Capital has attracted intense scrutiny from regulators and unflattering media headlines in its bid to acquire a stake in a rare-earth mining asset in Madagascar. Following the go-ahead from the Singapore Exchange, the deal was approved unanimously b...

John Soh-linked ISR Capital gets nod for Tantalum deal, but further hurdles remain

SINGAPORE (Nov 1): Just a day after an extraordinary general meeting, Mainboard-listed ISR Capital announced that a statement forecasting profits in three years by executive chairman Chen Tong had been mistranslated by his Chinese-to-English interpreter.

At the EGM, where shareholders a...

ISR Capital says chairman's statement at EGM mistranslated

SINGAPORE (Oct 30): After two years fraught with controversy, ISR Capital has finally received the shareholder approval to acquire a rare earth mining asset in Madagascar for S$3 million. The deal is worth less than a tenth of the S$40 million figure first mooted in 2016.

At an extraord...

Shareholders approve ISR Capital's bid to acquire Madagascar rare earth asset

SINGAPORE (Oct 5): While retail investors are growing more savvy at navigating the local stock market and asking companies tough questions, they are now worried about litigation.

At a Sept 28 investors’ forum organised by the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) (SIAS), the risk...

Do minority investors still have a voice?

SINGAPORE (Sept 3): It is 11am at HoviClub in Bukit Timah, and Glenn Miller’s In The Mood is on the speakers. An elderly lady and a nurse are swaying together to the jazzy tune. In another corner, a few seniors are engrossed in a game of mahjong. “We are very flexible here. We let the seniors com...

Elderly don't need institutionalising; private sector, community to step up

SINGAPORE (Aug 29): Mainboard-listed APAC Realty is dipping its toes into the brokerage and resale markets in Hainan, China, unfettered by the province’s latest property cooling measures.

The company today entered a joint venture with Chinese real estate services provider Hainan Zhong Z...

APAC Realty enters brokerage and resale market in Hainan with 40%-owned JV

SINGAPORE (Aug 27): Mainboard-listed Raffles Medical Group could bring its insurance business to China.

On Monday, the healthcare operator signed a Memorandum of Understanding with insurer China Taiping to explore setting up a joint venture in China, offering medical insurance and healt...

Raffles Medical and China Taiping to collaborate on insurance, real estate

SINGAPORE (Aug 21): US-based insurer MetLife today launched an experimental blockchain insurance product in Singapore that eliminates the claims process.

Dubbed Vitana, the product insures expectant mothers against diabetes developed during pregnancy, for a one-time payout of up to S$2,...

MetLife pilots claims-free diabetes insurance for pregnant women in Singapore

SINGAPORE (Aug 13): Logistics management company Chasen Holdings is mulling a separate listing of at least one of its subsidiaries in a bid to improve value for shareholders. Despite a recent improvement in earnings, Chasen shares are trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of just over five times. ...

Chasen mulls subsidiary spinoff; wins new contracts but lack of cash is a worry

SINGAPORE (April 19): CGS-CIMB Securities has officially rebranded as CGS International Securities (CGS International), as the integrated financial services provider launched its new identity in Singapore on Thursday (April 18).

CGS-CIMB Securities rebrands as CGS International, aims to double revenue to S$700 mil by 2030

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Shares of Sapura Energy Bhd have been suspended from trading, pending a material announcement, the company said on Friday.

Trading in Sapura Energy suspended pending announcement

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Silver Ridge Holdings Bhd said its wholly owned unit is being sued by a subcontractor over alleged outstanding contract payments.

Silver Ridge’s unit slapped with suit over alleged unpaid contract sums

A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (April 19, 2024)

Baltic Exchange shipping updates: April 19, 2024

Malaysia’s economic growth will likely pick up pace in the quarters ahead, economists say, though some are cautioning that global uncertainties raise the risk of undershooting the official target for 2024.

This follows the Department of Statistics Malaysia's advanced gross domestic product (GDP) estimate of 3.9% for the first quarter of 2024 (1Q2024).

Malaysia's economy will pick up pace but global uncertainties remain key risks — economists

DUBAI/JERUSALEM (April 19): Explosions echoed over an Iranian city on Friday in what sources described as an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated that it had no plans for retaliation — a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war.

Tehran signals no retaliation against Israel after drones attack Iran

In today’s edition of Evening 5: 0:06 Escalating Middle East unrest, hawkish US Fed shake regional markets 2:32 Malaysia's economy grew 3.9% in 1Q2024, advance estimate shows4:02 Axiata merger with Bharti Airtel raises earnings concern — analysts5:51 Awantec shares plunge as much as 53%, intraday short selling suspended7:33 Main-Market bound MKH Oil Palm’s IPO oversubscribed by 8.43 times

EVENING 5: Bursa ends mixed amid weak regional sentiment

Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Construction company Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd (LSH Capital) said it has obtained approval from its shareholders to transfer the group’s listing from the LEAP Market to the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

Lim Seong Hai Capital gets shareholder nod for transfer of listing to ACE Market

YX Precious Metals Bhd, a 70%-owned subsidiary of Tomei Consolidated Bhd, has proposed to transfer its listing from the ACE Market to the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia as it has met the profit requirements for the transfer.

In a bourse filing, the gold jewellery wholesaler and manufacturer said it has also satisfied the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Main Market listing requirements on financial position, public shareholding spread and Bumiputera equity.

YX Precious Metals proposes to transfer listing from ACE Market to Main Market

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Shares of Sapura Energy Bhd have been suspended from trading, pending a material announcement, the company said on Friday.

Most read this week - Stay up to date with the biggest news and latest trending topics by checking out the top 10 articles of the week. 

Most read this week

Israel launched an attack on Iranian soil on Friday, sources said, in the latest tit-for-tat exchange between the two arch foes, whose decades of shadow war has broken out into the open and threatened to drag the region deeper into conflict.

Israel attacks Iran, Reuters reports, as drones shot down over Isfahan 

RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) on Friday upgraded Public Bank Bhd to “buy” from “neutral”, with a higher target price (TP) of RM4.80 (from RM4.70).

RHB upgrades Public Bank to ‘buy’, raises target price to RM4.80

Malaysia's economy grew by 3.9% in the first quarter of 2024 (1Q2024), as compared to 3.0% in the previous quarter, according to Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) advance gross domestic product (GDP) estimates.

Malaysia's economy grew 3.9% in 1Q2024, advance estimate shows

MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Bhd’s initial public offering (IPO) has been oversubscribed by 8.43 times, ahead of its listing on the Bursa Malaysia Main Market on April 30.&nbsp;

Main Market-bound MKH Oil Palm’s IPO oversubscribed by 8.43 times

The Malaysian rubber glove industry has demonstrated resilience and adaptability amidst challenging global dynamics, with optimism for a rebound in 2024, with an anticipated surge to approximately 450 billion pieces by 2027 despite a downturn in 2023, according to the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma).

Margma optimistic of rebound in 2024, expects surge to 450 billion pieces by 2027

The escalating tensions in the Middle East have influenced market sentiment and shifted investors' emphasis to the energy, finance and plantation sectors, which helped boost the FBM KLCI higher by midday on Friday.

KLCI up 0.43% with focus on energy, plantation, financial stocks

The planned merger of Axiata Group Bhd, Malaysia’s largest telecommunications company by revenue, with India’s Bharti Airtel Ltd raises concerns as the latter's subsidiary Airtel Lanka is currently a loss-making company, analysts said.

Malaysia’s Axiata merger with Bharti Airtel of India raises earnings concern — analysts

Malaysia’s exports contracted at a slower than expected pace in March mainly due to lower foreign demand for electronics while shipments to China fell, official data Friday showed.

Malaysia’s March exports down 0.8%, imports surge 12.5%

Sime Darby Property Bhd, Malaysia’s biggest developer in terms of landbank, has secured commitment for the remaining 30% of its industrial development fund to close at RM1 billion.

Sime Darby Property gets commitment for balance 30% of RM1b industrial development fund

Financial services provider MIDF has reported a recent cyber security incident to relevant authorities and is collaborating closely with them on addressing the matter.

In a brief statement issued on Friday, MIDF affirmed that it takes the cyber security incident seriously and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the privacy and security of customers' information.

MIDF confirms cyber security incident

Kenanga Investment Bank has initiated coverage on soon-to-be listed oil and gas services firm Keyfield International Bhd at RM1.90 — reflecting a 111% premium over its IPO price of 90 sen per share — while giving it an “outperform” rating.

Kenanga sees Main-Market bound Keyfield International cashing in on OSV boom, sets target price at RM1.90

PUTRAJAYA (April 19): Payment of fees&nbsp;for training or classes in esports, equestrian, swimming, motorsports and taekwondo is&nbsp;eligible for&nbsp;tax relief of up to RM1,000 from next year, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

Payment of fees for sports training eligible for tax relief from next year — Hannah

Automotive electronic parts manufacturer MCE Holdings Bhd has commenced the construction for its MCE Auto Hub, the company’s new manufacturing facility in Serendah, Selangor, with an initial investment of RM50 million for the first phase of the development.&nbsp;

MCE Holdings commences construction for RM50 mil manufacturing facility in Serendah 

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Oil-and-gas services firm Yinson Holdings Bhd said on Friday that its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Yinson Production Offshore Pte Ltd (Yinson Production) has successfully placed a US$500 million five-year senior secured bond issue.

Yinson’s unit places US$500 mil five-year senior secured bonds

Melaka State Secretary Datuk Zaidi Johari died of a heart attack this morning. He was 54.

According to a statement from the Melaka Chief Minister’s Office, Zaidi breathed his last at about 8.15am at Hospital Melaka here.

Melaka State Secretary Zaidi dies of heart attack

Batik Air will suspend its operations to Istanbul, Turkiye, effective May 1, 2024, and affected passengers will be notified via email and text, said the airline operator, Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd.

Batik Air to suspend operations to Istanbul from May 1

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Meta Bright Group Bhd is forming a joint venture company (JVco) with a Bumiputera firm to bid for renewable energy (RE) projects with a Bumiputera equity requirement.

Meta Bright forms JVco with Bumiputera firm for RE projects

EG Industries Bhd has secured a second letter of intent (LOI) from US-based Cambridge Industries Group (CIG) to produce a new 1.6 terabit optical signal transmitter and receiver for a 5G wireless network at EG Industries’ new smart factory 4.0 in Penang.

Sharanya Pillai

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