<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd has maintained its “Buy” rating on Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd with a target price of RM3.08 and said it expects Astro to report in line 4QFY17 results (due March 28) with positive quarter-on-quarter revenue/EBITDA growth, arising from steady ARPU, content cost optimisation, and adex outperformance.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>In a note today, the research house said Astro’s adex continues to buck industry trends (9MFY17: +13% y-o-y) with the group well positioned to capture the structural adex shift in favour of non-traditional/digital mediums.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>“Maintain Buy and DCF-derived TP of MYR3.08 (8% upside, WACC: 9%, TG: 1.5%).</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>“Astro remains our preferred exposure to the media sector for its resilient pay-TV business and strong free cash flow,” it said.</div>

KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd has maintained its “Buy” rating on Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd with a target price of RM3.08 and said it expects Astro to report in line 4QFY17 results (due March 28) with positive quarter-on-quarter revenue/EBITDA growth, arising from stead...

Astro to report in line 4QFY17 results, says RHB Research 

Target 1 Sdn Bhd alleged that South Malaysia Industries Bhd (KL:SMI) is not cooperating to facilitate the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) scheduled for Jan 9, 2025, and the unconditional mandatory takeover offer for SMI.

South Malaysia Industries uncooperative in facilitating EGM, says acquirer Target 1

Malaysia remains resolutely committed to a rules-based international order as the global economy becomes more fragmented, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Loke said the country’s openness has long been a cornerstone of its prosperity.

Malaysia remains committed to rules-based international order — Loke

Vanzo Holdings Bhd (KL:VANZO) ended its ACE Market debut on Tuesday with a 10% rise from its initial public offering (IPO) price of 15 sen, raising close to RM21 million.

Vanzo closes 10% above IPO price on ACE Market debut

JAKARTA (Dec 17): Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto headed to Egypt on Tuesday to attend meetings of a group of eight major Muslim developing countries, known as the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, the government said.

Prabowo heads to Egypt for D-8 economic summit, plans travel to Malaysia thereafter

South Korea’s ruling party is trying to delay the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Court in a move likely aimed at preventing the opposition from boosting the chances of ousting impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Korea ruling party stalls court appointments for Yoon ruling

Walmart said on Tuesday it had formed a strategic partnership with Meituan under which the Chinese firm has begun providing delivery services for Walmart goods and the US company will be featured on its popular app.

Walmart teams up with delivery firm Meituan in bid to boost China e-commerce sales

China's top diplomat said on Tuesday he hoped the incoming Trump administration would "make the right choice" and work with Beijing, hours after Donald Trump told reporters the Covid-19 pandemic had strained his relationship with "friend" Xi Jinping.

China, Trump talk up prospects for US-China collaboration

British pay rose by more than expected in the three months to October, official data showed on Tuesday, prompting investors to further rein in bets on Bank of England interest rate cuts next year, despite warning signs of a slowdown in the economy.

UK pay growth speeds up, adding to worries for Bank of England

South Korean authorities made a new attempt on Tuesday to search the presidential office and obtain evidence as part of a probe into the legality of President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived bid to impose martial law, Yonhap news agency reported.

South Korean authorities make new attempt to raid presidential office — report

Asian equities fell and the Indonesian rupiah and the Thai baht led losses among currencies on Tuesday, as caution prevailed ahead of key central bank decisions this week, including a widely expected interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve.

Indonesian rupiah, Thai baht slip as traders eye central bank rate calls

Vanzo Holdings Bhd (KL:VANZO) ended its ACE Market debut on Tuesday with a 10% rise from its initial public offering (IPO) price of 15 sen, raising close to RM21 million.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 17): The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) has extended the deferral of the 80:20 employment ratio requirement for the manufacturing sector.&nbsp;

Miti extends deferral of 80:20 employment ratio rule for manufacturing sector

Former Sabah chief minister Tun Musa Aman has been appointed the 11th Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah. The appointment takes effect on Jan 1, 2025.

Musa Aman appointed new Sabah governor

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 17): Fitch Ratings’ latest affirmation on Malaysia’s sovereign credit rating underscores&nbsp;its economic progress, as envisioned under the Madani Economy framework, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

PM: Fitch Rating’s affirmation a recognition of Malaysia’s economic progress

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 17): The appointment of former Thai prime minister&nbsp;Thaksin Shinawatra as an informal advisor to assist with Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship next year, is viewed&nbsp;as a bridge to strengthen cooperation&nbsp;between the region and global powers.

Thaksin’s appointment as informal advisor seen as bridge for Asean cooperation — minister

Crude palm oil (CPO) prices are expected to be firm above RM4,800 per tonne, said the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), on the back of price recovery in soybean oil due to growing usage in the US biofuel industry and tightening Malaysian production and inventory.

MPOC sees CPO prices above RM4,800/tonne as soybean prices, low inventory lift

(Dec&nbsp;17) :&nbsp;Weeks before Donald Trump returns to the White House, China’s factories are expanding production abroad and growing their customer base outside the US, as they gird for new levies from the self-proclaimed “tariff man”.

China’s factories seek to Trump-proof business by going global

Hartalega Holdings Bhd’s (KL:HARTA) stock has surged past its consensus target price, as CIMB Securities continues to see further upside, as higher prices and volume are seen driving the glovemaker's earnings ahead.

Hartalega surges past target price; CIMB expects rally to have more legs

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 17): Malaysia is strategically poised to benefit from trade dislocations stemming from the Trump administration’s potential trade policies, as the country is seen benefitting from the “China Plus One” strategy, while insulated from the full brunt of US tariffs, said CIMB Securities.

More positives for Malaysia with Trump-led trade dislocations, says CIMB

Air fragrance maker Vanzo Holdings Bhd (KL:VANZO), which made its debut on the ACE Market on Tuesday, said there is still ample room for growth in the domestic market.

Newly listed air fragrance maker Vanzo focuses on home market for growth

China announced on Tuesday a relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travellers to 240 hours, or 10 days, from the original 72-144 hours, as authorities aim to lure more foreign visitors.

China extends visa-free transit stays to 10 days

Proposals related to the definition and classification of the T15 income group are being refined and will be decided by the Cabinet soon, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said on Tuesday.

Rafizi: Definition, classification of T15 will be decided soon

Malaysia's water asset custodian Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) is set to invest nearly RM1 billion to fund the construction of two water treatment plants in Seberang Perai, Penang, starting in 2025.

Pengurusan Aset Air to invest RM1 bil to fund two water treatment plants in Seberang Perai

(Dec&nbsp;17) : Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government ran a deeper deficit than projected and broke a fiscal objective outlined by his finance minister, who resigned the day she was set to unveil new spending and revenue estimates.

Canada runs deeper deficits as finance minister resigns

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 17): Fitch Ratings has affirmed Malaysia’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) at BBB+ with a stable outlook, according to a statement on Monday.

Fitch affirms Malaysia’s long-term issuer rating with stable outlook

(Dec&nbsp;17) :&nbsp;US stocks broadly ended Monday’s session higher, as traders geared up for interest-rate decisions by major central banks across the globe due later this week.&nbsp;

US stocks close higher with Fed rate-cut expected

Asian stocks edged higher and the dollar held firm on Tuesday as traders braced for a slate of central banks meetings this week that is likely to see the US Federal Reserve deliver a rate cut and the Bank of Japan (BOJ) stand pat for now.

Asian shares drift, dollar firms ahead of central bank meetings

Analysts remain bullish on Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) after the group's latest Australian job win, increasing its order book to approximately RM31.8 billion.

Gamuda's subsidiary DT Infrastructure Pty Ltd recently secured a RM1.8 billion contract from Lightsource bp Renewable Energy Investments Ltd for the Goulburn River Solar Farm in New South Wales, Australia.

Analysts remain optimistic on Gamuda amid robust order book growth  

China’s bubble tea makers are reviving plans for initial public offerings, encouraged by signs that Beijing is loosening its grip on the market and sentiment is improving after a disappointing debut by one of the industry’s biggest chains earlier this year.

Bubble tea makers revive IPO ambitions with China said to be softening stance

Shares of health insurers operating pharmacy benefit managers fell on Monday after US President-elect Donald Trump called them middlemen who drive up costs and said he plans to eliminate their role.