<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 14): Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research has upgraded Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem) to “buy” at RM8.75 with a higher target price (TP) of RM10.65 (from RM8.75), and said it expects strong earnings delivery from PetChem in the second half of 2021&nbsp;(2H21), uplifted by both: (i) firm product spreads for its O&amp;D segment, which can be seen from stable polyethylene product prices (HDPE, LDPE and LLDPE), and (ii) skyrocketing urea and methanol prices, which would be supportive of earnings from the group’s F&amp;M segment.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>In a note on Thursday, the research house said&nbsp;PetChem is also on track to record its best-ever annual profits in FY21.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>“With that, we upgrade PetChem to 'buy' (from 'hold') with a higher TP of RM10.65 (from RM8.75 previously) as we view that PetChem is on track to achieve its best-ever annual profits in FY21.</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>“Our valuation is based on 9.0x FY22F EV/EBITDA, which is at a slight discount to its five-year historical pre-pandemic mean EV/EBITDA of 9.5x,” it said.</div>

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 14): Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research has upgraded Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem) to “buy” at RM8.75 with a higher target price (TP) of RM10.65 (from RM8.75), and said it expects strong earnings delivery from PetChem in the second half of 2021 (2H21), upli...

Petronas Chemicals on track to a record high for FY21, says HLIB 

(Nov 23): The US government’s debt load is now seen as the biggest risk to financial stability, outweighing persistent inflation in a Federal Reserve survey.

“Concerns surrounding US fiscal debt sustainability were atop the list this survey, followed by escalating tensions in the Middle...

US debt load tops Fed’s survey of financial stability risks

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally scored a landslide victory in Maharashtra, the country's richest state, while the opposition bloc performed strongly in Jharkhand, a mineral-rich region.

Modi's BJP wins richest state of India in elections; opposition retains mineral-rich region

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte met US President-elect Donald Trump in Florida as Europe waits apprehensively to see how the next administration will approach the war in Ukraine.

Nato’s Rutte meets Trump in Florida amid fears over Ukraine aid

There is still no evidence to show that the pollution at Pantai Esen in Permatang Damar Laut, Batu Maung near here is due to reclamation works for the man-made Silicon Island.

No evidence Pantai Esen pollution due to Silicon Island reclamation works — exco

China's Huawei, blacklisted by the US, said on Saturday it is targeting 100,000 applications for its Harmony operating system (OS) in coming months as it seeks widespread help to achieve self-reliance.

Huawei aims 100,000 apps on Harmony OS in six to 12 months

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed the Madani government's commitment to prioritising the welfare of the people across all states, including those led by the opposition, by steadily increasing their allocations.

Govt committed to raising allocations to all states — PM

The founding family of Japan's Seven & i Holdings has approached KKR & Co and other investment firms about participating in the potential buyout of the retailer, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Saturday.

Seven & i founding family sounded out KKR, others about buyout — Nikkei

The European Union (EU), US and other wealthy countries at the COP29 climate summit have agreed to raise their offer of a global finance target to US$300 billion (RM1.34 trillion) per year by 2035, sources told Reuters on Saturday.

Wealthy countries back raising COP29 climate deal to US$300b, Reuters reports

The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) is set to launch about 12 projects with a gross development value (GDV) of RM1.5 billion in 2025, reflecting its commitment to advancing Selangor’s property market, said group chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas.

PKNS to launch property projects with RM1.5b GDV in 2025

The assistance provided to the people, including the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid, has increased during the first two years of the Madani government's administration, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Increased assistance provided to M'sians under Madani govt, says Anwar

The Ministry of Transport has proposed the establishment of a dedicated logistics hub in Nilai or Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, to further bolster Malaysia’s logistics sector.

Loke proposes new logistics hub in Nilai or Enstek

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said on Saturday she would have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assassinated if she herself were killed, prompting Marcos' office to vow "immediate proper action".

In widening rift, Sara Duterte says she would have Marcos assassinated if she is killed

The Selangor State Development Corporation&nbsp;(PKNS) is set to launch about&nbsp;12 projects with a gross development value (GDV) of RM1.5 billion in 2025, reflecting its commitment to advancing Selangor’s property market, said group chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas.

The founding family of Japan's&nbsp;Seven&nbsp;&amp; i Holdings has approached KKR &amp; Co and other investment firms about participating in the potential buyout of the retailer, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Saturday.

Bitcoin touched a record high on Friday, with its sights set firmly on the US$100,000 (RM446,800) barrier, in a stellar rally for the cryptocurrency sparked by expectations of a more friendly regulatory environment under a&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;administration.

Bitcoin at record highs, sets sights on US$100,000

China's Huawei, blacklisted by the US, said on Saturday it is targeting 100,000 applications for its Harmony operating system (OS) in coming months as it seeks widespread help to achieve self-reliance.

The Madani government remains focused on initiatives to develop the country, and will not entertain "trivial"&nbsp;statements that do not contribute to such efforts, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Govt to disregard 'trivial' statements as it focuses on development — PM

Nvidia&nbsp;chief executive officer Jensen Huang said on Saturday that global collaboration and cooperation in technology will continue, even if the incoming US&nbsp;administration imposes stricter export controls on advanced computing products.

Nvidia CEO says global cooperation in tech will continue under Trump administration

The assistance provided to the people, including the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid, has increased during the first two years of the Madani government's administration, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally&nbsp;scored a landslide victory in Maharashtra, the country's richest state, while the opposition bloc performed strongly in Jharkhand, a mineral-rich region.

The Adani Group will respond to bribery allegations levelled by the US after a detailed legal review and once it has secured approvals from its counsel to speak on sub-judice issues.&nbsp;

Adani to respond to US bribery allegations after legal review

The government is committed to ensuring that the implementation of Madani economic reforms&nbsp;has minimal or no impact on the people in general, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysians won't be burdened by economic reforms, says Anwar

There is still no evidence to show that the pollution at Pantai Esen in&nbsp;Permatang Damar Laut, Batu Maung&nbsp;near here is due to reclamation works for the man-made Silicon Island.

(Nov 23): The US government’s debt load is now seen as the biggest risk to financial stability, outweighing persistent inflation in a Federal Reserve survey.

“Concerns surrounding US fiscal debt sustainability were atop the list this survey, followed by escalating tensions in the Middle...

President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;may have campaigned hard against high inflation, but by the time of his Nov&nbsp;5&nbsp;election victory&nbsp;financial professionals had moved on from rising prices and begun worrying about rising US&nbsp;debt, possible recession, and risks to global trade as among the top threats to the stability of the financial sector, according to a new Federal Reserve (Fed) survey released on Friday.

Fed survey finds inflation fading as a risk next to debt, trade wars

The health of the US&nbsp;consumer and the retail sector will be in focus in the coming week, as Black Friday kicks off a holiday shopping season that could shed light on how buyers are grappling with higher prices.

Black Friday puts consumer spending in market's glare with stocks near records

The European Union (EU), US and other wealthy countries at the&nbsp;COP29&nbsp;climate summit have agreed to raise their offer of a global finance target to US$300 billion (RM1.34 trillion) per year by 2035, sources told Reuters on Saturday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed the Madani government's commitment to prioritising the welfare of the people across all states, including those led by the opposition, by steadily increasing their allocations.

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte met US President-elect Donald Trump in Florida as Europe waits apprehensively to see how the next administration will approach the war in Ukraine.