The recent spike in crude palm oil (CPO) prices echoes the commodity boom of 2021/22, as supply constraints from lower palm oil production and robust consumer demand push prices up.

Good time to buy planters even as CPO rally seen losing steam soon — analysts

Analysts are positive on Malaysia’s pilot green power exports to Singapore using existing infrastructure in both countries, following establishment of the platform enabling cross-border trading of green electricity, the Energy Exchange Malaysia (Enegem).

Analysts positive on pilot green power exports to Singapore; name Tenaga, YTLP as top picks

TA Securities has maintained its 'overweight' stance on the technology sector, and said the sentiment of the semiconductor sector in Malaysia will improve gradually, underpinned by an anticipated recovery in global demand and increasing trade diversion opportunities as a result of the 'China Plus One' strategy.

TA Securities keeps 'overweight' on tech sector, top picks Inari, Elsoft and MPI

Investors should go long on Malaysian Government Securities, Standard Chartered (StanChart) said and recommended buying the issue maturing in 2027 on the ringgit’s expected outperformance and prolonged rate pause.

Go long on Malaysian govt bonds, StanChart tips

AmInvestment Bank Bhd has selected Hong Leong Bank Bhd, IOI Properties Group Bhd and Greatech Technology Bhd as its new top stocks to buy.

These three counters replaced its earlier picks namely CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Mah Sing Group Bhd and Sunway Bhd, after their share prices have reached near or above the research house’s fair values, said AmInvestment Bank Bhd in a note released on April 2.

AmInvest names Hong Leong Bank, IOI Properties and Greatech as new top picks

Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) maintained its 'neutral' rating for the plantation sector, and said the sector had played its part in ensuring food security, job security, and health security not just for the nation, but the world over during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Plantation sector contributed more than RM23b over past four years in various forms, says Maybank IB as it keeps 'neutral' call

RHB Investment Bank (RHB IB) Research has maintained its “overweight” rating on the healthcare facilities and services sector with KPJ Healthcare Bhd as its top pick.

RHB IB stays 'overweight' on healthcare sector; KPJ top pick

Analysts are positive on Axiata Group Bhd, and kept their ‘buy’ calls for the telecommunications group after its earnings beat expectations.

They are also positive on the group's decision to exit the Myanmar market by disposing of its telecommunications tower business there.

Analysts keep 'buy' on Axiata as FY2023 results beat expectations

PublicInvest Research has retained its “overweight” rating for the healthcare sector, and said it remains positive on Malaysia’s healthcare sector in the medium term, supported by the increasing trend of an ageing population, growth in medical tourism, as well as the overall increase in demand for medical services.

PublicInvest remains positive on healthcare sector, KPJ is top pick

CGS-CIMB Securities has upgraded Bursa Malaysia Bhd to “add” at RM7.47, with a higher target price of RM8.50 (from RM6.90), and said the stock market operator is the biggest beneficiary of the increased vibrancy of the equity market.

Bursa biggest proxy for vibrant equity market, says CGS-CIMB

The recent market sell-off among small-cap counters and penny stocks on Bursa Malaysia during the first three weeks of the year should not deter investor confidence in looking for good fundamental stocks, according to RHB Research.

Recent small-cap selling pressure should not deter investor confidence, says RHB Research

Malaysia's automotive industry is expected to be affected by the implementation of the high-value goods tax (HVGT) and higher service tax rates this year, according to Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB).

Local auto industry to be affected by high-value goods tax, higher service tax in 2024, says Maybank IB

Analysts are upbeat on the renewable energy (RE) sector following the recent announcements by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Public Utilities (Metpu), highlighting players in engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) as main winners.

Analysts upbeat on RE sector amid firm policies; EPCC players seen as winners

US dollar strength will continue to haunt the local equity market in the near term, according to HSBC, ushering the need for a “prudent and very selective” investment strategy, despite expectations of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve (Fed).

Spectre of strong dollar to haunt Bursa in short term, despite US rate cut expectations — HSBC

Japan’s consumer inflation eased more than expected while staying above the Bank of Japan’s target as board members get ready to revise their price forecasts next week.

Japan’s inflation cools ahead of BOJ policy board meeting

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Kenanga Research has maintained its “underweight” rating on the media sector and said 1QCY24 adex (+14% YoY) exceeded house expectations due to stronger-than-expected recovery in the Free-to-Air television (FTA TV) segment, mainly catalyzed by the nascent recovery in both...

Media sector earnings outlook still fragile, says Kenanga Research 

(April 19): South Korea's Hyundai said on Friday that it had paused advertising on X, formerly known as Twitter, and is speaking to the Elon Musk-owned social media platform directly about brand safety issues.

It was not immediately clear why the auto giant had paused the advertisements...

Hyundai pauses ads on X over brand safety issues

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) said Kimlun Corp Bhd’s earnings is primed for promising prospects in FY2024-25, underpinned by an unbilled orderbook of RM2.48 billion (3.0x cover on FY2023 revenue and the highest achieved since FY2018), with 85% dedicated to construction and the remaining to precast manufacturing.

HLIB sees promising prospects for Kimlun’s FY24-25 earnings

TA Securities thinks that KIP REIT will have a good 3Q showing

MORNING CALL: 19/4/24

Rakuten Trade said United U-Li Corporation Bhd may trend higher after breaking out from its two-week bullish flag pattern with a long white candle on Thursday.

United U-Li Corp may trend higher, says Rakuten Trade 

Israel received its first-ever sovereign downgrade as S&P Global Ratings lowered its credit rating to A+ from AA- on heightened geopolitical risks for the region.

S&P downgrades Israel rating on heightened geopolitical risk

RHB Retail Research said Inari Amertron Bhd is poised to challenge the RM3.27 resistance level once again, which would make this its fourth attempt this year.

Inari poised to challenge RM3.27 resistance, says RHB Retail Research 

RHB Retail Research said Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd may be headed for an uptrend after rebounding strongly from a recent pullback and pushing past the 21-day simple moving average line.

Muhibbah Engineering may be headed for uptrend, says RHB Retail Research 

The oil-rich Malaysian state of Sarawak in Borneo is aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy, betting that its ability to harness an abundance of hydropower can help it defy challenges that are clouding the fuel’s prospects elsewhere.

 Sarawak aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy

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

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

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

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EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

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

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 oil-rich Malaysian state of Sarawak in Borneo is aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy, betting that its ability to harness an abundance of hydropower can help it defy challenges that are clouding the fuel’s prospects elsewhere.

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

(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

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

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

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

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

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.

CPO futures end lower for 5th consecutive trading day

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

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

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

Chinese government-linked hackers have burrowed into US critical infrastructure and are waiting "for just the right moment to deal a devastating blow," FBI director Christopher Wray said on Thursday.

FBI says Chinese hackers preparing to attack US infrastructure

US stocks closed near the unchanged mark on Thursday, as investors sifted through the latest corporate earnings, while economic data and comments from Federal Reserve officials suggested the central bank was unlikely to cut interest rates in the near future.

Stocks end near flat as investors assess earnings, data

The remains of the late Tan Sri Joseph Kurup arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport here at 11.20pm on a commercial flight.

The flight which was initially scheduled at 9.15am on Thursday was cancelled due to ash clouds from Mount Ruang’s volcanic eruption in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, engulfing the air space.

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