NEW YORK (April 19): US stocks vacillated on Thursday, swinging from red to green and back as investors contended with the push-pull of a strong economy and restrictive Federal Reserve policy.

Benchmark Treasury yields resumed their climb and gold added strength as ongoing turmoil in th...

Wall Street closes lower; gold climbs amid economic, geopolitical crosswinds

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

World shares edged up on Wednesday, though investors stayed cautious at the prospect of US interest rates staying higher for longer, which in turn pushed Treasury yields to five-month highs and buoyed the dollar.

Shares edge up but bonds buffeted by Fed disappointment

Global regulators proposed a package of measures to ensure hedge funds and other investors from outside the banking sector are better able to cope with margin and collateral calls in times of market stress.

Regulators want to better prepare funds for margin calls

Fear that interest rates in major economies will stay relatively high is creeping back and threatens a painful wake-up call for financial markets, big investors warn.

Painful high rates wake-up call threatens global markets

The world’s biggest bond market was hammered anew, with the two-year yield briefly hitting 5% after Jerome Powell signalled policymakers are in no rush to cut interest rates.

US yields spike as hawkish Powell puts 5% in play

Global stocks slid to two-month lows, while the dollar rose to its highest in over five months on Tuesday, after stronger-than-expected US retail sales further reinforced the view that the Federal Reserve may not rush to cut interest rates this year.

Stocks slide, dollar up as ‘higher for longer’ rate view takes root 

Europe's main share and currency markets started the week modestly higher, while oil and bond prices dipped, as investors kept Middle East concerns in check after Iran's weekend attacks on Israel.

Stocks climb, oil dips as Middle East concerns in check

(April 15): Bond investors who were busted yet again by robust economic data now want clear and conclusive proof that Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts are imminent before making any more big bullish wagers.

US yields surged to their highest levels of the year last week after traders w...

Weary bond traders adopt 'show-me' mode to avoid more losses

US stocks sold off sharply on Friday while the dollar jumped as investors grappled with rising geopolitical tensions and persistent inflation that could lead to diverging monetary policy between the US and Europe.

Stocks tumble, dollar firms amid geopolitical risk, mixed central bank views

European stocks were on track to race ahead of Wall Street on Friday, with exporters' shares in high demand as the continent's major currencies dropped against a dollar standing tall on bets the US Federal Reserve (Fed) would keep interest rates high.

European stocks gain, dollar stands tall as traders cut Fed easing bets

A global equities index rose slightly on Thursday after falling earlier in the day while Treasury yields rose as investors looked to the latest inflation data for clues about the potential for Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate cuts.

A day after March's hot consumer price index (CPI) reading sent equity investors to the exits, Thursday's data showed US producer prices rose more slowly than expected last month with a cost of services increase blunted by falling goods prices. The producer price index (PPI) for final demand rose 0.2% versus economist expectations for 0.3% and a February increase of 0.6%.

Global equity gauge rises slightly with inflation, rates in focus

PIE Industrial Bhd, whose share price extended its rally to a new all-time high on Thursday on reports that it has secured a new customer, confirmed the matter and said it is expecting the new customer to contribute an additional RM2.5 billion revenue to the group, of which RM1 billion will be recognised as early as next year.

PIE Industrial confirms bagging new client, expects additional RM2.5 bil revenue

Cocoa futures hit a new high in New York — topping US$11,000 (RM52,624) a metric tonne — as the pace of processing in chocolate factories holds up even in the face of a global supply crunch and record prices.

Cocoa soars above US$11,000 a tonne as processing pace holds up

The amount of reserves in banking system — a key determinant for the Federal Reserve to continue shrinking its balance sheet — dropped by the most in two years as Americans paid income tax bills out of their bank accounts.

US bank reserve balances see largest drop since 2022 tax season

Netflix on Thursday unexpectedly announced that it will stop reporting subscriber numbers each quarter, a decision seen as a sign that years of customer gains in the streaming wars are coming to an end.

Netflix to stop reporting subscriber tally as streaming wars cool

Federal Reserve policymakers have coalesced around the idea of keeping borrowing costs where they are until perhaps well into the year, given slow and bumpy progress on inflation, and a still-strong US economy.

US Fed policymakers agree there's no urgency to cut rates

Donald Trump said on Thursday the survival of Ukraine is important to the US, a shift in tone days before the Republican-led US House of Representatives is due to vote on a US$61 billion (RM291.8 billion) aid package.

Donald Trump says Ukraine's survival is important to US

The Indonesian government is working with central bank governor Perry Warjiyo to cushion the country’s economy from the rise in the US dollar, according to its finance minister.

Indonesian finance chief aims to shield economy from dollar rise

A trader accused of exploiting Mango Markets rules to steal US$110 million (RM526.2 million) from the exchange was convicted of fraud in the first US trial involving criminal charges tied to cryptocurrency manipulation.

Crypto trader convicted in US$110m Mango Markets fraud

The US on Thursday effectively stopped the United Nations from recognising a Palestinian state by casting a veto in the Security Council to deny the Palestinian Authority full membershipof the world body.

US stops UN from recognising a Palestinian state through membership

KUALA LUMPUR (April 18): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Thursday:

Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador, former political aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has ceased to be a substantial shareholder of HeiT...

HeiTech Padu, Axiata, AmanahRaya REIT, AmFirst REIT, RHB Bank, 7-Eleven Malaysia, MBSB, Awantec, MAA Group, UMediC, Systech, Pansar, Auro, Kimlun and AWC

After spending over two years in court due to a suit from Empire Holdings Ltd, MAA Group Bhd, its major shareholder Tunku Datuk Yaacob Khyra and Turiya Bhd have been dropped as parties in the suit over MAA’s purchase of Turiya shares from a Bahrain-based bank. &nbsp;

MAA Group exits legal bout over 2021 Turiya share acquisition under settlement deal

High-impact projects such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and&nbsp;Special Financial Zone&nbsp;(SFZ) in Forest City can spur Johor’s economy to outpace that&nbsp;of other states in the next one to two years, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Special economic, financial zones can help Johor surpass other states economically, says Anwar

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EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Swiss state prosecutors are seeking long prison terms for two men accused of embezzling US$1.8 billion from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) — Saudi-Swiss businessman Tarek Obaid and his Swiss-British business partner Patrick Mahony, the AFP reported.

Swiss prosecutors seek long jail terms for duo in US$1.8bil 1MDB fraud — report

The developer of the&nbsp;Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) expressway will receive an official letter soon, notifying it of the cancellation of the construction project.

PJD Link developer to get official letter soon on cancellation, says Nanta

FE Green Pet (M) Sdn Bhd’s new high-tech recycling factory is expected to make Melaka a green investment destination and complement the economic growth strategy in the state, said Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said with an investment totalling approximately RM958 million, the plant on 14 hectares of land is projected to be completed by 2Q 2025, creating almost 500 jobs.

RM958 mil high-tech recycling factory puts Melaka on green investors map — Ab Rauf

The allocations that the government has agreed to consider extending to elected representatives from the opposition are subject to terms and conditions, said DAP Parliament chief whip Nga Kor Ming.

Nga: Proposed allocations for opposition reps conditional

KUALA LUMPUR (April 18): 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd, known for its extensive network of convenience stores, declared on Thursday an interim dividend of 2.7 sen per share for its financial year ended Dec 31, 2023 (FY2023), after posting a record high net profit.

7-Eleven declares 2.7 sen dividend for FY2023

(April 18):&nbsp;The world of chocolate is facing such immense cocoa shortages that the wild trading lured an unlikely player&nbsp;—&nbsp;Pierre Andurand, a hedge-fund manager best known for his bets on oil.&nbsp;

Why the world of chocolate is in crisis

Kimlun Corporation Bhd has bagged a construction contract worth RM150 million for a serviced apartment development project in Johor Bahru.

In a bourse filing on Thursday, Kimlun said its wholly-owned subsidiary Kimlun Sdn Bhd received the award as the main contractor for the Aliva Mount Austin residential project from Astaka Development Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Singapore-listed Astaka Holdings Limited.

Kimlun bags RM150 mil contract for residential construction project in Johor

The Penang government will wait&nbsp;for&nbsp;recommendations from the&nbsp;undersea tunnel project&nbsp;steering committee before making any decision&nbsp;regarding the implementation of the project, said&nbsp;Chief Minister&nbsp;Chow Kon Yeow.

Undersea tunnel: Penang to wait for steering committee's recommendations, says Chow

More than a year after it diversified into the sand dredging business, timber products manufacturer Auro Holdings Bhd (formerly known as NWP Holdings Bhd) is proposing to venture into the food and beverage (F&amp;B) business.

The proposed diversification is aimed at expanding its revenue stream and reducing its reliance on the wood-based and sand mining industries, said the loss-making company in a bourse filing on Thursday. &nbsp;

Auro forays into F&B business to cut dependence on wood-based and sand mining industries

With 94% of Malaysian companies gearing up for an artificial intelligence (AI) driven future, National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) together with NVIDIA has launched an AI pilot sandbox programme.

MOHE estimates 13,000 new AI talents by 2026

NEW YORK (April 19): US stocks vacillated on Thursday, swinging from red to green and back as investors contended with the push-pull of a strong economy and restrictive Federal Reserve policy.

Benchmark Treasury yields resumed their climb and gold added strength as ongoing turmoil in th...

Indonesia discouraged its state-owned enterprises from making huge dollar purchases, showing the all-hands-on-deck approach that the nation has taken to support the rupiah.

State-run firms with large import requirements or foreign currency-denominated debt must avoid buying large amounts of US dollars while the rupiah is under pressure, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said in a briefing on Thursday.

Indonesia tells state firms to refrain from buying dollars

While most flights continued to be impacted&nbsp;following the volcanic eruption at Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi, Indonesia,&nbsp;low-cost carrier AirAsia&nbsp;reinstated several flights on Thursday.

AirAsia reinstates several flights on Thursday after Indonesia's volcanic eruption

Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, who co-chairs the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election machinery&nbsp;coordination for the unity coalition, said its candidate would be deemed to represent the unity government rather than&nbsp;any particular party per se.

Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election: Candidate to represent unity govt rather than any particular party, says Zambry

The US on Thursday effectively stopped the United Nations from recognising a Palestinian state by casting a veto in the Security Council to deny the Palestinian Authority full membershipof the world body.

The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed lower for the fifth consecutive day, said palm oil trader David Ng.

He said the weaker soybean oil market and lower crude oil prices continue to pile pressure on prices.

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