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

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

The yen fell amid volatile trade on Friday after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) maintained its accommodative monetary policy stance at the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting, while Asian shares rose in the broader market.

Stocks face worst month since September, yen swings after BOJ

As US inflation worries grow, some investors are preparing for the 10-year US Treasury yield to breach a 16-year high of 5% hit last October.

Investors brace for 5% Treasury yields as US inflation worries mount

World stocks snapped a three-day winning streak on Thursday as disappointing forecasts from Facebook and Instagram parent Meta hammered tech, while the yen's drop through 155 per dollar for the first time since 1990 kept FX traders on intervention alert.

Stocks and yen struggle as tech troubles weigh

World stocks rose on Wednesday led by tech names as investors' focus shifts to earnings from US megacap bellwethers this week, while the yen remained mired near 34-year lows, keeping traders wary of intervention from Japanese authorities.

Shares jump on tech boost; fragile yen on intervention watch

Global shares rose on Tuesday, driven by a recovery on Wall Street, where investor focus is pinned on earnings reports from the US megacaps, while the yen hit a new 34-year low against the dollar, prompting a warning from Japanese officials.

Stocks gear up for Big Tech earnings; yen toys with danger zone 

Global equities are more attractive after the recent rout removed market froth and as investors focus on robust corporate earnings, according to Citigroup Inc strategists.

Citi strategists say buy dips in global stocks on solid earnings 

Geopolitical risk topped the list of concerns among US corporate credit investors, according to a new survey by BofA Global Research.

The finding coincides with an escalation in the conflict in the Middle East. Israel has been fighting the Hamas and Hezbollah militant groups since October, and hostilities with Iran ramped up last week.

Geopolitical tensions are US credit investors' top concern, BofA survey says

A sharp selloff in US bonds so far in April is prompting some investors to consider allocating more funds to the asset class to lock in higher yields ahead of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed), a prospect that remains investors’ base case despite US economic resilience.

US bond bulls lean into latest selloff despite inflation scare

World stocks recovered some losses on Monday and bonds, oil and gold dipped as investors reversed some of their more defensive positions taken going into the weekend on fears of a wider Middle East conflict.

Stocks rebound, oil and gold retreat on tempered Mideast fears

The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 closed sharply lower on Friday and Treasury yields dipped as investors juggled lacklustre earnings, uncertainties surrounding central bank policy and geopolitical strife.

Nasdaq tumbles, Treasuries dip amid earnings, geopolitical crosscurrents

Monthly Swiss watch exports suffered their biggest decline since 2020 as demand for premium and luxury timepieces in key markets including China and Hong Kong plunged.

Exports dropped 16% by value in March to two billion Swiss francs (RM10.49 billion) from a year earlier, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry said on Thursday.

Swiss watch exports plunge as China, Hong Kong demand dries up

Norway's US$1.6 trillion (RM7.6 trillion) sovereign wealth fund, one of the world's largest investors, said on Thursday it would vote in favour of a proposal letting NatWest buy back more of its stock from the British government, amid efforts to speed up privatisation.

Norway wealth fund backs NatWest plan to buy back stock from govt

Asian stocks crept higher in a mixed session on Thursday, while the dollar took a breather and bond markets steadied as investors stepped back to assess the interest rate outlook.

Asian stocks mixed as soaring dollar pauses

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the government had no plans to temporarily suspend the service of Fennec and HOM helicopters.

Govt not suspending service of Fennec and HOM helicopters, says minister

It will be a four-way fight in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election between Pakatan Harapan’s pick Pang Sock Tao, Hulu Selangor Bersatu action division head Khairul Azhari, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin and independent Nyau Ke Xin.

NEWS: Four-cornered fight in KKB by-election

Parti Rakyar Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin says that if elected, PRM will stand on a platform of increased transparency in government.

NEWS: Parti Rakyat Malaysia will run on more transparency

The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) said there is an urgent need to accelerate replanting to address the issue of ageing oil palm trees, and urges the government to provide replanting tax incentives to support such efforts.

Ageing oil palm trees: MPOA calls for govt incentives to speed up replanting

Pakatan Harapan’s Pang Sock Tau, who will be representing her party in the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-elections, says that amid all the noise, her focus will be on the rakyat’s issues, especially those concerning the youth and women.

NEWS: PH campaign to focus on core issues

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was never confronted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on whether Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners — which received millions from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and transferred it to his private banking account — was controlled or owned by fugitive Eric Tan Kim Loong, an alleged associate of Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.

Court told MACC never asked Najib if he knew who owned shell company that transferred US$30 mil to his account

PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is confident of the coalition’s odds in the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election, and says the experience of its candidate, Khairul Azhari Saut, gives him an edge over the others.

NEWS: PN confident of wresting KKB seat

BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it is time to repay PH’s favour in the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election. He is also hopeful that MCA will still join the unity coalition's campaign.

NEWS: Time for BN to repay PH’s favour, says Zahid

Bank of Singapore Ltd, the private-banking arm of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC), has fired up to 40 employees over the misuse of medical benefits, according to a CNA report.

Singapore bank fires workers over misuse of medical claims — CNA

The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election is the time for Barisan Nasional (BN) to return Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) favour in assisting Umno candidates in the previous elections, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Time for BN to return PH's favour in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, says Zahid

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.

Who pays for anytime EPF withdrawals?

The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election will see a four-cornered fight between the candidates of Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and an independent.

A four-way bout in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) is investigating allegations of unethical recruitment practices made against the sub-agents of SOS Manpower Service, its appointed agent to recruit Nepalese foreign workers for its subsidiary&nbsp;KL-Kepong Rubber Products Sdn Bhd.

The allegations, according to KLK, were made by Sajha Sabal Media, a news portal in Nepal.

KLK investigating allegations of unethical practice linked to its foreign worker recruitment agent

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was never confronted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on whether Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners — which received millions from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and transferred it to his private banking account — was controlled or owned by fugitive Eric Tan Kim Loong, an alleged associate of Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.

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.

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).

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

Bank of Singapore Ltd, the private-banking arm of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC), has fired up to 40 employees over the misuse of medical benefits, according to a CNA report.

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).

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

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.

Lofty US stocks leave investors punishing earnings disappointments

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

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

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

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 Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election&nbsp;is the time for Barisan Nasional (BN) to return Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) favour in assisting Umno candidates in the previous elections, said&nbsp;Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

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.

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

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

The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) said&nbsp;there is an urgent need to accelerate replanting to address the issue of ageing oil palm trees, and urges the government to provide replanting tax incentives to support such efforts.

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.

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

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;

Apple intensifies talks with OpenAI for iPhone generative AI features

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

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened an&nbsp;operations room for&nbsp;the public to channel information and complaints of corrupt acts and power abuse in the Kuala Kubu Baharu&nbsp;state by-election.

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