Richly valued US 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

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

Nomination for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election opened at 9am on Saturday at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

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

US 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

Apple Inc 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.

Apple intensifies talks with OpenAI for iPhone generative AI features

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

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 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?

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

KNM Group Bhd said it is seeking court sanction for a new scheme of arrangement with its creditors. The PN17 group is also seeking a further extension of time to submit its regularisation plan.

KNM seeks fresh scheme of arrangement with creditors

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EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

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.

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.

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

HSBC wins £1.3 bil suit over Disney film finance scandal

KUALA LUMPUR (April 26):&nbsp;KPJ Healthcare Bhd, through its premier educational institution&nbsp;KPJ Healthcare University (KPJU),&nbsp;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&nbsp;healthcare.

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

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

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.

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

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

WASHINGTON (April 26):&nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Friday for additional air defence systems to be sent to Kyiv to help protect against Russian strikes, adding that a pause in US&nbsp;funding had helped Moscow seize the initiative.

Ukraine's Zelenskiy calls for air defence systems as allies meet

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).

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

Baltic Exchange shipping updates: April 26, 2024

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.

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.

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.

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;

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.

Media Prima Bhd
(Jan 20, RM1.70)
Maintain hold with a target price (TP) of RM1.56: We remain cautious on the media sector as weak business and consumer sentiment affects advertising expenditure (adex) revenue.

We believe Media Prima’s earnings should impro...

Media Prima earnings should improve in 2015

Inari Amertron Bhd
(Jan 19, RM2.87)
Maintain “buy” with a higher target price (TP) of RM4.07 from RM3.80: We raise our financial year 2015 to financial year 2017 (FY15 to FY17) earnings per share (EPS) forecasts by 2% to 11% to account for the earlier-than-expected ...

Room for more margin upside as Inari expands its RF business

Malaysia Resources Corp Bhd
(Jan 14, RM1.19)
Maintain buy with a target price (TP) of RM2.26: Following the appointment of Gelangang Harapan Construction Sdn Bhd (GHC) as the main contractor for two new development projects, Malaysia Resources Corp (MRCB) paid RM20 ...

RM1b seen for MRCB’s Petaling Jaya jobs

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB)
(Jan 9, RM14.16)
Maintain buy with a target price (TP) of RM16.50: We do not expect any negative surprises in Tenaga Nasional’s (TNB) first quarter financial year 2015 (1QFY15) earnings, as fuel costs should be well managed amid the stable ...

TNB’s 1Q results within expectations  

Ta Ann Holdings Bhd
(Jan 8, RM3.65)
Maintain buy with a target price (TP) of RM4.55: A rise in mature plantation areas has increased Ta Ann Holdings’  fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production, while a strong demand for logs and improved log production have increased ...

Strong demand sees increase in Ta Ann’s log exports

Tobacco sector
Maintain “neutral”: We maintain a “neutral” stance on the tobacco sub-sector due to a lack of positive catalysts, the challenging operating environment, and the ever present regulatory risks.

Following British American Tobacco (M) Bhd’s (BAT) 14% s...

‘Neutral’ stance on tobacco sub-sector

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd
(Jan 6, RM5.01)
Downgrade to “hold” with a lower target price (TP) of RM5.30 from RM5.60 based on a 14 times 2015 price-to-earnings ratio from 15 times: Triggered by the sharp fall in oil prices, polymer prices declined by 18% to 24% in ...

Petronas Chemicals’ profit dips on likely fall in polymer prices

Media Prima Bhd
(Jan 5, RM1.74)
Maintain “hold” with a higher target price (TP) of RM1.56 from RM1.50: The 20% to 25% increase in Media Prima’s English and Malay newspapers cover prices starts this month.

We have raised Media Prima’s 2015 to 2016 earnings ...

‘Hold’ rating on Media Prima due to increased newspaper cover prices

Inari Amertron Bhd
(Nov 13, RM2.85)
Maintain “buy” with a target price (TP) of RM3.80: We expect Inari Amertron (Inari)’s earnings delivery to remain one of the most solid among its semiconductor peers. This is partially attributed to its strong wireless division gr...

Inari expected to remain among solid semiconductor peers

Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd
(Nov 13, RM2.60)
Maintain “reduce” with a lower target price (TP) of RM2.45 from RM2.54: Hap Seng Plantations’ full-year of financial year 2014 (FY14) is likely to be below 
our expectations as costs are higher while own...

Affin Hwang Investment Bank Bhd

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Affin Hwang Investment Bank Bhd

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