LAST month, I wrote in this column about the conflict in the Middle East that started in October last year and its impact on shipping through the Suez Canal. The emerging geopolitical risks took markets near to the year’s low in October 2023.

However, since then and in just over fo...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: What is a strawman?

The Red Sea trade route serves as a vital link between the East and the West, enabling the exchange of goods. It connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean, passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Suez Canal further facilitates trade along the Red Sea route by providing a di...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: The new world dis-order

The economic dynamics of Malaysia in 2023 witnessed a tale of two indices. While the FBM KLCI index clocked a flat performance, trailing behind its regional peers, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Small Cap Index chalked up 9.57% year on year, underscoring the robust performance of small-cap firms listed ...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: Back in business: Malaysia’s potential in transition

Imagine a storm brewing on the horizon, threatening to disrupt the calm seas of the US economy. Will this storm, known as a recession, hit our shores soon? Just like a skilled sailor who reads the weather, the intelligent investor must analyse various indicators to position his portfolio as we sail into 2024.

Positioning for the new year and beyond

Year to date, 2023 is turning out to be a year to remember, not for portfolio gains but for the risks that investors have had to deal with. It started with the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy that saw the federal funds rate move above 5% in 12 months. Then there was the Russia-Ukraine c...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: Quick answers to big questions

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently tabled Budget 2024 in parliament, allocating a record RM393.8 billion to federal government expenditure.The government’s largest-ever budget shows Malaysia’s resolve to re-establish its economic prowess in Asean. It also signals a bold move towards...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: Budget 2024: A disciplined approach to economic revival

On Sept 1, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim followed through on the next steps of the Madani Economy by introducing the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030. NIMP 2030 is a development plan for the nation’s industrial sectors. It is structured under four missions and comes with four enab...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: Building a high-income nation, leveraging our existing strengths

On Aug 12, 2023, some Malaysians went to the polls to select their state representatives. Six states were involved this round, and the results carried significant implications for national alliances and the political analysts out there. However, state election outcomes will not alter the core of ...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: From state elections to economic overhaul: Malaysia’s road ahead

In the previous article, a case was made for fixed-income assets in the new environment of high interest rates and attractive yields for investors. With the portfolio on solid ground, the next asset class to look at is equities. Since the start of 2023, several macroeconomic indicators have point...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: Recession is bad for equities?

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) paused its interest rate hikes this month. While further hikes down the road cannot be discounted, interest rates are likely to be peaking. Inflationary pressure is coming off, albeit at a slow pace.

The sharp rate hikes that started in February last year an...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: High interest rate has silver linings

China passed a law on Friday strengthening its trade defence capabilities as the US and the European Union take aim at Beijing over excess industrial capacity.

China passes tariff law amid tensions with trading partners

FRANKFURT/BERLIN/PRAGUE (April 26): Thyssenkrupp will sell a 20% stake in its steel business to the energy holding controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, a major breakthrough for the German conglomerate after years of unsuccessful attempts to divest the unit.

Thyssenkrupp sells stake in steel unit to Czech billionaire Kretinsky

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday.

BCorp, Capital A, AAX, YNH, Sam Engineering, Turiya, Gadang, Microlink, Nestle, Wiradani, D&O, Homeritz, Unisem

(April 26): HSBC Holdings Plc successfully fought off a London court claim brought by a group of investors in a £1.3 billion (US$1.6 billion) lawsuit over tax breaks linked to Walt Disney Co film financing.

HSBC wins £1.3 bil suit over Disney film finance scandal

KUB Malaysia Bhd has extended the deadline for its mandatory general offer for Central Cables Bhd (CCB) a second time to May 20 from April 30, according to its latest filing on Bursa Malaysia.

KUB extends deadline for CCB MGO a second time

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

KUALA LUMPUR (April 26): KPJ Healthcare Bhd, through its premier educational institution KPJ Healthcare University (KPJU), has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Friday with Trusx Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Trustr), a global digital health organisation, as an initiative to revolutionise healthcare.

KPJ Healthcare, Trusx Malaysia collaborate for AI-driven healthcare solutions

Wall Street's main indexes advanced on Friday as most megacap growth stocks rose after robust quarterly results from Alphabet pushed its market value over US$2 trillion (RM9.5 trillion), while an in-line inflation reading calmed interest rate jitters.

Wall Street rises as Big Tech charges higher

In today’s edition of Evening 5: 00:00 Merger of airlines enough to reverse negative equity - Fernandes 02:16 Govt set to unveil second 5G network next week  03:26 Unisem’s 1Q hit by margins, forex 04:30 Berjaya Corp denies Forest City casino talks   05:30 Homeritz’s 2Q earnings spike on stronger greenback

EVENING 5: Merger of airlines enough to reverse negative equity - Fernandes

A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (April 26, 2024)

Baltic Exchange shipping updates: April 26, 2024

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

Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has obtained a summary judgement at the High Court here against ACE Credit (M) Sdn Bhd, ACE Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd, and the company directors Datuk Choong Chee Meng and Chang Ai Nee, for defaulting on a RM46.47 million loan given to them by the bank.

Maybank obtains summary judgement against ACE Corporation, three others for RM46m loan default

KUALA LUMPUR (April 26): Gamuda Land, the property arm of Gamuda Bhd, has unveiled partners for Gardens Square, the latest commercial development at the 810-acre Gamuda Gardens in Sungai Buloh.

Gamuda Land announces retail partners for upcoming commercial development in Gamuda Gardens

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has emerged as the second largest shareholder of aero-engine components manufacturer Sam Engineering &amp; Equipment (M) Bhd, after Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd.

EPF emerges as second largest shareholder of Sam Engineering

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday suggested all parties mentioned in a recent report&nbsp;alleging that the government is planning to issue&nbsp;a licence for a casino in&nbsp;Forest City, Johor, to take necessary action&nbsp;against the foreign news agency.

Anwar wants action taken against Forest City casino licence news report

Shares of AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) rose to a six-month high as investors cheered a restructuring plan that would make the company the largest low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia.

AirAsia X logs best day in six months on Capital A restructuring

YNH Property Bhd (YNH) issued a clarification to bondholders via Malaysian Trustee Bhd on the technical default of its Islamic notes, as well as the status of its mall sale and the appointment of a new auditor.

YNH says it has remedied 'technical default' involving sukuk programme

Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd is slated to raise prices for 22 of its products starting July 1, according to the Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia (FSGMAM).

Nestle Malaysia to adjust prices of 22 products starting July 1

Gadang Holdings Bhd has secured a RM280 million contract to design and develop the Klang Valley Data Centre&nbsp;Block 2 in Cyberjaya from TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd, a business entity of Telekom Malaysia Bhd.

Gadang wins RM280 mil Klang Valley data centre jobs from TM Technology

MYAirline Sdn Bhd will continue to retain its nominated post holders as well as key personnel, while ensuring that its air operator’s certificate (AOC) documentation remains as current as possible.

MYAirline seeking multiple investors, to retain nominated post holders

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has given businessmen Mirzan Mahathir and Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir a 30-day extension from Friday to declare their assets to the anti-graft body.

Mirzan and Mokhzani given 30-day extension to declare assets

D&amp;O Green Technologies Bhd, which mainly makes automotive light-emitting diodes (LEDs), is optimistic of at least 10% revenue growth this year and plans to build another facility in anticipation of “significant growth” over the next decade.

D&O optimistic of revenue growth, plans new RM200m facility

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow&nbsp;has announced that he is in talks with a group of companies which have recently participated in Selangor’s integrated circuit (IC) design park.

Integrated circuit design firms to announce investments in Penang on Saturday, says Chow

Wiradani Development Sdn Bhd — a property developer linked to the son of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin — has filed a fresh winding-up petition against SPNB Aspirasi Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB).

SPNB unit faces fresh winding-up petition on failure to complete payment to Wiradani after settlement

KUALA LUMPUR (April 26): Software company Microlink Solutions Bhd said on Friday that it has secured a contract worth RM56.45 million to implement and maintain a new core banking system for Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Bhd.

Microlink gets RM56.45 mil contract from Bank Islam Brunei

S P Setia Bhd will launch Casaville, which comprises 38 single-storey bungalows, in its Setia EcoHill township in Semenyih at end-April.

With a gross development value (GDV) of RM50 million, the homes measure 52ft by 90ft each, with built-ups from 1,994 to 2,074 sq ft, and a three-bedroom, three-bathroom layouts. The selling price starts from RM1.376 million. It is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2026.

S P Setia to launch single-storey bungalows in Setia EcoHill at end-April

Hong Kong and China stocks extended gains on Friday, with the Hang Seng Index logging its best week since October 2011, as sentiment recovered further after strategists from global investment houses upgraded their views on Chinese shares.

Hong Kong stocks notch best week in more than 12 years; China attracts record inflow 

Malaysia is poised to be the next home of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd’s (Geely) methanol-powered vehicles, after China and the European market.&nbsp;

Malaysia the next market for Geely’s methanol vehicle

KUALA LUMPUR (April 26): China will firmly support Malaysia in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and support Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in promoting the principle of "Malaysia Madani" in governance.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi sa...

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