Corporate Malaysia handed in a largely disappointing first quarter earnings report card, which reflected general weakness in the economy, dragged by slowing external demand, with little help seen from the much-anticipated reopening of China.

More companies reported earnings that were below expectations in the January to March period of this year compared with the previous quarter, while there were fewer companies that managed to surprise with better-than-expected results, said Fortress Capital Asset Management chief executive officer Thomas Yong

Malaysia's corporate profits disappoint on slowing demand, with little help from China reopening

KUALA LUMPUR (July 1): Fears of an economic slowdown in the US has dampened investor sentiment in most Asian markets including Bursa Malaysia, where the benchmark FBM KLCI has fallen by 7.4% so far this year and lost 10.32% of its value since its recent peak of 1,618.54 on March 3.

KLCI seen rebounding in 2H

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has been selling its shares in leading telecommunication groups Axiata Group Bhd, Maxis Bhd and Digi.com Bhd amid uncertainties surrounding the 5G rollout in Malaysia.

A cumulative 42.64 million shares in the three telcos were divested by the provident fund over the past six months — 21.34 million units in Digi, 16.2 million units in Axiata and 5.1 million units in Maxis.

EPF dumps shares in heavyweight telcos amid 5G uncertainties

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 24): Over 462,000 job seekers have managed to secure employment through 27 initiatives as of Oct 31 this year, said Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

“We have consistently exceeded our monthly projections, putting us on track to provide 500,000 job opportunities by end of the year,” Tengku said during the closing remarks of the  Employees Provident Fund’s (EPF) briefing at the International Social Wellbeing Conference 2021 titled "The New Narrative: Turning the Tide on Inequality" on Wednesday (Nov 24).

Finance Minister: Over 462,000 people secured jobs through 27 initiatives this year

KUALA LUMPUR (June 13): The ringgit weakened past 4.41 against a strengthening US dollar on Monday (June 13) after the US reported last Friday that May 2022 inflation accelerated at a faster-than-expected month-on-month pace of 1%. Compared with a year earlier, US inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, rose 8.6%.

Ringgit weakens past 4.41 against US dollar on hot US inflation

The withdrawal of pension funds to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 has aggravated the problem of savings inadequacy among Malaysians, which could make it impossible for many Malaysians to replenish their Employees Provident Fund Account 1 fund to meet the minimum threshold set by the pension fund during the remainder of their working life, said Malaysia University of Science and Technology economist and professor Dr Geoffrey Williams.

'Impossible' for many Malaysians to replenish EPF Account 1 during rest of working life — economist

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has cautioned that its members are at risk of falling into old-age poverty, but vowed to address poor social protection coverage among Malaysian adults and the issue of inadequate savings for retirement.

EPF members now at risk of falling into old-age poverty, says chairman

The Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (REHDA) expects the total sales number under the Home Ownership Campaign (HOC) for this year to be lower than 2019's figure of RM37 billion in sales value achieved from 57,000 units of house transactions. This is due to the high base and timing of the introduction of the campaign this year.

Lower sales expected for Home Ownership Campaign 2020/2021 — REHDA

Samaiden Group Bhd, which is en route to the ACE Market on Oct 15, is seeking to raise RM29.35 million from its initial public offering.

ACE Market-bound Samaiden to raise RM29m

KUALA LUMPUR: HLT Global Bhd has been receiving enquiries from China after the Covid-19 virus outbreak as many glove manufacturers have yet to resume production since the Lunar New Year break.

Its chief executive officer cum executive director Chan Yoke Chun said the group has seen “pos...

HLT Global receives more orders after Covid-19 outbreak

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested a company director and a law firm owner on suspicion of submitting false information related to foreign currency investments, totalling approximately RM38 million.

Company director, law firm owner detained over RM38 million investment case — MACC

KUALA LUMPUR (May 8): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Wednesday:

Sentral Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:SENTRAL), or Sentral REIT, posted a 30.29% increase in its net property income in the first quart...

Sentral REIT, Vstecs, Dufu Tech, MNRB, Mega First,  Ivory Properties, Paragon Globe and Sarawak Cable

Moody's Ratings has affirmed CIMB Group Holdings Bhd's (KL:CIMB) Baa1 issuer ratings and maintained its stable outlook, based on the group's improved solvency and stable liquidity as well as Moody's forecast that the group's problem loan ratio will remain stable at around 2.5% over the next 12-18 months.

Moody’s affirms CIMB’s Baa1 issuer ratings, upgrades baseline credit assessment

Ni Hsin Group Bhd’s (KL:NIHSIN) wholly-owned subsidiary, Ni Hsin EV Tech Sdn Bhd (NH EV Tech), on Wednesday launched two high-powered electric motorcycles, TC Max and CPx PRO, featuring MotoGP legend, Jorge Lorenzo.

Ni Hsin unveils two electric motorcycles, featuring MotoGP legend Jorge Lorenzo

The Malaysian government is prepared to engage with its US counterparts on concerns regarding the shipment of sanctioned Iranian oil.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the government spokesperson, said that “this matter was discussed briefly in the Cabinet here today”.

Malaysia prepared to engage with US over its concerns on Iranian oil shipments

Annum Bhd (KL:ANNUM), formerly known as Cymao Holdings Bhd, has been categorised a Practice Note 17 (PN17) company as its new external auditor Messrs SBY Partners PLT expressed a disclaimer of opinion on its audited financial statements for the 18 months ended June 30, 2023, after they failed to obtain sufficient evidence to verify the group's assets.

Annum slips into PN17 after auditor says it can't vouch for company's financials

An entrepreneur was fined RM80,000 by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Tuesday for using unauthorised communications equipment known as an ‘SMS Blaster’, which caused serious disruption to network and cellular services.

Entrepreneur fined RM80,000 for using unauthorised SMS Blaster

The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives snapped two consecutive days of gains to end lower on Wednesday, said a dealer.

Mumbai-based Sunvin Group commodity research head Anilkumar Bagani said the weakness in the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybean oil futures during Asian trading hours and the Malaysian Palm Oil Association’s (MPOA) estimates weighed down CPO prices.

CPO futures snaps two-day winning streak to end lower

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will provide two electric train services (ETS) for the Padang Besar- KL Sentral route and vice versa in conjunction with this year's first-term school holidays from May 24 till June 3.

KTMB in a statement on Wednesday announced that the additional train tickets will go on sale at 8pm on Thursday (May 9).

KTMB will provide two additional ETS services ahead of first-term school holiday

Malaysia and Saudi Arabia held bilateral talks focusing on the agriculture sector, research and efforts to improve market access between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The ministry, in a statement on Wednesday, said Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu highlighted the potential of several Malaysian products for export to Saudi Arabia, such as tropical fruits, value-added animal products and animal feed, ready-to-eat products, egg and dairy products, as well as aquatic products like frozen catfish.

Malaysia, Saudi Arabia hold talks to boost agriculture sector, market access

Shares in Sime Darby Plantation Bhd [KL: SIMEPLT] rose to their highest in two years following its announcement to develop the Tali Ayer estate in Perak into a green industrial park.

Sime Darby Plantation shares surge to two-year high following proposed solar project in Perak

Shell said on Wednesday it has agreed to sell its refinery and petrochemical assets in Singapore, Asia's main oil hub, to a joint venture between Indonesian chemicals firm Chandra Asri and Swiss miner and commodities trader Glencore.

Shell to sell Singapore refinery, petchem assets to Chandra Asri and Glencore

Homegrown information and communications technology (ICT) distributor Vstecs Bhd’s (KL: VSTECS) wholly-owned subsidiary, Vstecs Ku Sdn Bhd, has been picked as Amazon Web Services' (AWS) first distributor in Malaysia.

Amazon Web Services picks Vstecs as first distributor in Malaysia

Interim liquidators appointed by the Shah Alam High Court pursuant to a petition by Hitachi Ltd to look into the affairs of its wholly-owned Fusiotech Holdings Sdn Bhd are investigating claims of potential diversion of business by Fusionex Malaysia to third parties.

Fusionex liquidators probing alleged diversion of business to third parties

Malaysia’s largest 100 companies added RM175.33 billion to their market value since the start of the year as optimism for a US Federal Reserve rate cut fuelled a broad rally in sectors ranging from technology to utilities.

Market cap of top 100 Bursa companies up RM175b year to date, more upside expected

KUALA LUMPUR (May 8): Petronas Dagangan Bhd (KL:PETDAG) faces a threat from Saudi Aramco’s possible entry into Malaysia’s fuel retailing market, on top of the impending withdrawal of fuel subsidies, CGS International warned.

Petronas Dagangan faces twin share de-rating threats — CGS

KUALA LUMPUR (May 8): Insurer and reinsurer MNRB Holdings Bhd’s (KL:MNRB) net profit more than doubled year-on-year (y-o-y) in the fourth quarter, thanks to lower insurance expenses and higher investment income, sending its shares surging to an all-time high.

MNRB logs record profits from lower insurance expenses, higher investment income

Offshore drilling firm Velesto Energy Bhd (KL:VELESTO) is expected to report that its net profit may more than tripled in the first quarter (1Q) from a year earlier with all of its rigs utilised, Maybank Investment Bank said.

Velesto may report strong 1Q results with rigs fully occupied — Maybank IB

KUALA LUMPUR (May 8): The global semiconductor industry is expected to rebound this year, driven by demand for generative artificial intelligence (AI), with the industry’s upcycle likely to continue until 2025 or 2026, said Nomura Asset Management.

Global semiconductor industry to recover this year through 2026 on generative AI demand — Nomura

The Malaysian government is prepared to engage with its US counterparts on concerns regarding the shipment of sanctioned Iranian oil.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the government spokesperson, said that “this matter was discussed briefly in the Cabinet here today”.

MNRB Holdings Bhd (KL:MNRB) was Bursa Malaysia’s biggest gainer on Wednesday, after the insurer and reinsurer announced record quarterly and annual net profit for the financial year ended March 31, 2024 (FY2024).

MNRB makes biggest single-day jump after record FY2024 earnings

SYDNEY/HONG KONG/SINGAPORE (May 8): Global private equity investors and asset managers are readying for billions of dollars worth of mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;As) and investments linked to data centres in the Asia Pacific, as the artificial intelligence (AI) boom fuels demand for digital infrastructure.

AI boom set to fuel data centre deals in Asia this year

Shares of Bursa Malaysia Bhd (KL:BURSA) extended gains to its highest since March 2021, following news that Malaysian stocks trading in its exchange hit a historical high of RM2 trillion in market capitalisation on Tuesday (May 7).

Bursa Malaysia shares hit fresh three-year high as local equities breach RM2 trillion market cap

The former director and chairman of the board of SRC International Sdn Bhd has slammed Datuk Seri Najib Razak for passing the blame to the board for the misappropriation of RM3.6 billion from the company, saying the accusation was nothing more than an afterthought and without basis.

Former SRC director slams Najib for blaming SRC board for misappropriation of RM3.6b, says his accusation a baseless afterthought

A Singapore Air Force F-16 jet crashed during takeoff at a military airbase, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.

Singapore Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashes after takeoff

Industronics Bhd said it has been appointed as the project management company to develop a hotel and golf course on a 155-acre parcel of land in Langkawi.

Widad’s largest shareholder appoints Industronics to manage Langkawi golf course, hotel development

KUALA LUMPUR (May 8): Go Hub Capital Bhd (KL:GOHUB), a provider of information technology (IT) services catering to the transportation sector, said on Wednesday that it has received approval for its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.&nbsp;

IT services firm Go Hub Capital gets Bursa Malaysia nod for ACE Market listing

The emergence of digital banks in Malaysia does not significantly impact traditional banks, primarily due to their limited ability to achieve rapid growth within the initial years of operation.

S&amp;P Global Ratings senior analyst, financial institution ratings, South and Southeast Asia (SSEA), Sue Ong said that the five digital banking licences issued by the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in 2022 do not seem to be a game changer for now.

Digital banks will not affect traditional banks in Malaysia — S&P Global Ratings

theedgemalaysia.com highlighted three stocks with positive momentum and nine stocks with negative momentum at Bursa Malaysia's afternoon close on Wednesday.

Apex Health, Bursa, GDB, Fiamma, Lagenda, Lay Hong, MYMBN, MYEG, Panda, Scientex, Tasco, Tiong Nam

Cryptocurrency exchange FTX has amassed billions of dollars more than it needs to cover what customers lost in its November 2022 collapse, setting them up to receive full recoveries, plus interest, a rare outcome in US bankruptcy proceedings.

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