<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 15): Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem) led the fall in the FBM KLCI this morning, as the composite index tumbled 0.71% at noon market break.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>At 12.30pm, PetChem was down 15 sen or 2.05% at RM7.16, making it the biggest loser by percentage among the constituents of KLCI this morning. The counter saw 2.87 million shares traded, while its market capitalisation stood at RM57.12 billion.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The second biggest loser was Hong Leong Bank Bhd after it plunged 34 sen or 1.95% to RM17.08, followed by its parent company Hong Leong Financial Group, which dropped 30 sen or 1.74% to RM16.96.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Other significant laggards include Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, which lost 8 sen or 1.71% at RM4.59, as well as Genting Malaysia Bhd, which went down by 5 sen or 1.61% at RM3.06.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>According to <em>Bloomberg </em>data, only one counter out of the 30 KLCI constituents was in the green at noon market break — Maxis Bhd, which was up 3 sen or 0.56% at RM5.42.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Meanwhile, three counters remained unchanged — IOI Corp Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, and Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd.</p></div>


Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem) led the fall in the FBM KLCI this morning, as the composite index tumbled 0.71% at noon market break.

At 12.30pm, PetChem was down 15 sen or 2.05% at RM7.16, making it the biggest loser by percentage among the constituents of KLCI this morning.

PetChem main laggard on KLCI, down 2.05%

China's industrial profits posted smaller gains for the first quarter compared to the first two months, official data showed on Saturday, adding to evidence of an uneven recovery for the world's second-biggest economy.

China's first-quarter industrial profits rise at slower pace

Last December, the European Union set a global precedent by finalizing the Artificial Intelligence Act, one of the world’s most comprehensive sets of AI rules. Europe’s landmark legislation could signal a broader trend toward more responsive AI policies. But while regulation is necessary, it is i...

The Visible Hand: Governments must shape AI’s future

The nomination of candidates for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on Saturday morning saw a four-cornered clash between the candidates of Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and an independent.

Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election sees four-cornered fight

Singapore will introduce a new law this year that will help so-called gig-economy workers plan for their retirement needs and get work injury protection, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said.

Singapore plans law to support gig workers’ retirement needs

The nomination centre for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election closed at 10am on Saturday.

The announcement was made by returning officer Yuhanas Auree Kamaruddin at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

Nomination centre for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election closes at 10am

Alphabet Inc closed decisively above a US$2 trillion (RM9.54 trillion) market capitalisation for the first time on Friday, as a powerhouse earnings report reassured investors that the Google parent would be a major player in artificial intelligence (AI).

Alphabet joins US$2 trillion club as results show AI strength

Candidates contesting the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election, a semi-urban seat located in the Hulu Selangor district, have started executing their campaign strategies over the weekend. The by-election is being held following the demise of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong from DAP, on March 21 due to cancer.

The Week Ahead: Attention on KKB by-election, FOMC decision, trade data in Asia

Richly valued US stocks are leaving investors with little tolerance for disappointment, raising the stakes ahead of a week in which two more technology and growth giants are set to report.

Lofty US stocks leave investors punishing earnings disappointments

Two earthquakes, the largest a 6.1 magnitude, struck Taiwan's eastern county of Hualien on Saturday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.

The quakes, within half an hour of each other in the early hours of the morning, shook buildings in the capital, Taipei.

Taiwan rattled by quakes again, no immediate reports of damage

Nomination for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election opened at 9am on Saturday at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

Nomination opens at 9am for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

<p>The creation of Flexible Account 3 for anytime withdrawals from May 11 means Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members can choose to take out up to a third of the balance in their existing Wellbeing Account 2.</p>


Who pays for anytime EPF withdrawals?

<p>The nomination of candidates for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on Saturday morning saw a four-cornered clash between the&nbsp;candidates of&nbsp;Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and an independent.</p>


<p>Global&nbsp;stocks were higher on Friday, as Big Tech gains lifted Wall Street shares, while Japan's yen&nbsp;sank to a&nbsp;34-year low after the Bank of Japan (BOJ)&nbsp;kept&nbsp;monetary policy loose.</p>


Global stocks gain on Big Tech lift; yen slides to 34-year low

<p>The Perak government is expected to establish cooperation with Star Group Industries (SGI), a leading South Korean company with experience in the production of downstream products of rare earth elements (REE).</p>


Perak to collaborate with rare earth elements company from South Korea, says MB

<p>Alphabet Inc&nbsp;closed decisively above a US$2 trillion (RM9.54 trillion) market capitalisation for the first time on Friday, as a powerhouse earnings report reassured investors that the Google parent would be a major player in artificial intelligence (AI).</p>


<p>Richly valued US&nbsp;stocks are leaving investors with little tolerance for disappointment, raising the stakes ahead of a week in which two more technology and growth giants are set to report.</p>


<p>The nomination centre&nbsp;for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election closed at 10am on Saturday.</p>

<p>The announcement was made by returning officer Yuhanas Auree Kamaruddin&nbsp;at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.</p>


<p>Candidates contesting the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election, a semi-urban seat located in the Hulu Selangor district, have started executing their campaign strategies over the weekend. The by-election is being held following the demise of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong from DAP, on March 21 due to cancer.</p>


<p>US&nbsp;regulators have seized Republic First Bancorp and agreed to sell it to Fulton Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) said on Friday, underscoring the challenges facing regional banks a year after the collapse of three peers.</p>


US regulators seize troubled lender Republic First, sell it to Fulton Bank

<p>Nomination&nbsp;for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election opened at 9am on Saturday at&nbsp;the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.</p>


<p>Apple Inc&nbsp;has renewed discussions with OpenAI about using the start-up’s technology to power some new features coming to the iPhone later this year, according to people familiar with the matter.&nbsp;</p>


Apple intensifies talks with OpenAI for iPhone generative AI features

<p>Two earthquakes, the largest a 6.1 magnitude, struck Taiwan's eastern county of Hualien on Saturday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.</p>

<p>The quakes, within half an hour of each other in the early hours of the morning, shook buildings in the capital, Taipei.</p>


<p>Singapore will introduce a new law this year that will help so-called gig-economy workers plan for their retirement needs and get work injury protection, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said.</p>


<p>China's industrial profits posted smaller gains for the first quarter compared to the first two months, official data showed on Saturday, adding to evidence of an uneven recovery for the world's second-biggest economy.</p>
