<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>SYDNEY (Oct 30): Australian casino company Echo Entertainment Group Ltd said on Thursday it expected its first-half profit to rise as much as 31 percent after posting strong gains in revenue from international VIPs and local gamblers.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Echo, which operates Sydney's Star Casino, said it now expected normalised earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of A$245 million to A$260 million ($214.8 million to $228 million) for the six months to Dec. 31.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Shares in Echo reversed earlier losses of around 2 percent to be up as much as 5.7 percent to an 18-month high of A$3.75 in afternoon trade.</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>&nbsp;</div>

SYDNEY (Oct 30): Australian casino company Echo Entertainment Group Ltd said on Thursday it expected its first-half profit to rise as much as 31 percent after posting strong gains in revenue from international VIPs and local gamblers.

Echo, which operates Sydney's Star Casino, said it n...

Genting unit Echo sees H1 profit up as much as 31 pct

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) must tread cautiously in raising interest rates, as some indicators of inflation expectations remain short of its 2% target, the International Monetary Fund's Japan mission chief Nada Choueiri said on Friday.

IMF urges Bank of Japan to tread cautiously in raising interest rates

Israel's apparent strike on Iran after days of vacillation was small and appeared calibrated to dial back risks of a major war, even if the sheer fact it happened at all shattered a taboo of direct attacks that Tehran broke days earlier.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet had initially approved plans for a strike on Monday night inside Iranian territory to respond forcefully to last Saturday's missile and drones from Iran, but held back at the last-minute, three sources with knowledge of the situation said.

Israel's Iran attack carefully calibrated after internal splits, US pressure

The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 dipped on Friday, with Netflix among the biggest drags on a dour quarterly forecast, while all three indexes stared at weekly losses amid diminishing hopes that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates anytime soon.

Nasdaq lags peers as Netflix, chip stocks drag; AmEx lifts Dow

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Kota Kinabalu on Friday night for a one-day working visit to the state.

Anwar's plane landed at Terminal Two, Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 11.40pm, where he was greeted by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Anwar arrives in Kota Kinabalu for one-day visit

Parties in the Unity Government have their methods to ensure a win in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election next month, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said this was discussed at the Unity Government secretariat meeting on Wednesday.

Unity Govt parties have ways to ensure victory in Kuala Kubu Baharu polls — Ahmad Zahid

All travellers entering or leaving Singapore carrying Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNI) that are valued more than S$20,000 or its equivalent in a foreign currency, must submit the necessary declarations electronically with effect from May 13.

Travellers to and from Singapore carrying over S$20,000 must submit online declaration from May 13

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday:

Shares of Sapura Energy Bhd have been suspended from trading, pending a material announcement. The suspension took effect from 2.30pm onwa...

Sapura Energy, PIE Industrial, LSH Capital, YX, Westports, Yinson, Sime Darby Property, MISC, Meta Bright, EG Industries, Hextar, Uzma, Nova MSC and Iconic Worldwide

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

(April 19): Oyo Hotels is in talks to raise up to US$450 million via dollar bonds, a person familiar with the matter said, as the once-high-flying Indian startup seeks to replace an existing high-cost loan amid delays in its stock-market debut.

Softbank-backed Oyo eyes US$450 mil bond sale for refinancing

CIMB Thai Bank PCL’s net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024) dropped 24.6% year-on-year to 626.1 million baht from 830.1 million baht, as it reported lower operating income and higher expenses.  

The group recorded an 8.4% drop in operating income and an 11.8% increase in operating expenses. The effects of these were partially offset by a 36.9% decline in expected credit loss, according to CIMB Thai president and chief executive officer Paul Wong Chee Kin in a statement. CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has a 94.83% interest in CIMB Thai.

CIMB Thai's 1Q earnings drop 24.6% as operating income falls while opex climbs

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

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

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 

DUBAI/JERUSALEM (April 19): Explosions echoed over an Iranian city on Friday in what sources described as an&nbsp;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

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

A group of investors led by a Dubai-based real estate developer is in talks to build a mixed-use tower in Thailand that may vie for the mantle of the world’s tallest building.

Thailand in talks with group of investors from Middle East, China to build world’s tallest tower

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).&nbsp;

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

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): UEM Sunrise Bhd has launched The Beat 2.0, an extension of The Beat retail hub at its Kiara Bay development in Kepong, during a groundbreaking ceremony held at the Kiara Bay sales gallery on Friday. The Beat 2.0 measures 2.6-acres and will comprise a net lease area (NLA) of 73,566 square feet (sq ft), according to a press statement on Friday.

UEM Sunrise launches The Beat 2.0 at Kiara Bay, welcomes Harvey Norman as anchor tenant

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday:

Shares of Sapura Energy Bhd have been suspended from trading, pending a material announcement. The suspension took effect from 2.30pm onwa...

MISC Bhd, via its petroleum arm AET, has entered into time charter party contracts with PETCO Trading Labuan Company Ltd (PTLCL) for the world’s first two ammonia dual-fuel Aframaxes (tankers with a deadweight of between 80,000 and 120,000 tonnes), as it seeks to reduce overall emissions from its operations.

Both MISC and PTLCL are units of&nbsp; national oil company Petronas.

MISC enters time charter party contracts with Petronas unit for world's first ammonia dual-fuel Aframax tankers

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Fajarbaru Builder Group Bhd said it has secured a RM13.33 million contract to upgrade fire engineering systems at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s Terminal 1 satellite building.

Fajarbaru clinches RM13 mil contract from MAHB

Fibre optic cables manufacturer Hextar Capital Bhd, formerly known as Opcom Holdings Bhd, said it plans to diversify into the construction and project management business.

The proposed diversification is expected to boost the group’s net profit by about 25%, aligning with its long-term strategy to pursue more engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) projects beyond telecommunications network projects, the group said in an exchange filing.

Hextar Capital plans to diversify into construction business

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): M&amp;A Equity Holdings Bhd announced that an individual by the name of Siti Nur Aishah Ishak has become a substantial shareholder of the stockbroking firm, after acquiring a 0.13% stake in the company.

Siti Nur Aishah emerges as substantial shareholder of M&A Equity

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

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Prime Minister&nbsp;Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied Opposition claims that its Members of Parliament (MPs) will only be given allocations if they pledged support for his leadership.&nbsp;

Anwar: Claims of Opposition MPs needing to support me for allocations baseless

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Software company Nova MSC Bhd said on Friday that it has signed term sheets&nbsp;for investments totalling about RM41.4 million&nbsp;into two of its subsidiaries, by Singapore-based family office Jostar Investment VCC.

Nova MSC signs term sheets for RM41.4m investment into its Singaporean units

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Uzma Bhd plans to raise RM68.35 million via a private placement of 15% of its current share base to help fund the development of a water injection facility (WIF) which it is to lease to a unit of Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd.

Uzma plans RM68.4m private placement to fund O&G support job

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.