<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>SINGAPORE (Feb 2): Singapore blue chips were mostly higher but shares in the broader market were less sought after.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>At 12:21pm (0421 GMT), the Straits Times Index was up 0.5% at 3,409.57. Market breadth was negative, with decliners outnumbering gainers about 1.5 to one.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>ComfortDelGro Corp rose 1.7% to $2.92, extending its run-up in recent weeks, as investors were hopeful that the public transport operator will turn in strong results after SMRT Corp said last week its December-quarter earnings jumped 58% y-o-y to $22.5 million.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Other notable large-cap gainers included Ascendas REIT, up 2.8% at $2.53, Sembcorp Marine, up 1.3% at $3.04, Jardine Matheson Holdings , up 1.4% at US$64.95, and Noble Group, up 1.4% at $1.08.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Among lower liners, Micro-Mechanics (Holdings) was one of several that put on substantial gains.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The stock rose 6.5% to 65.5 cents after the company said its December-quarter earnings doubled to $2.7 million from $1.4 million a year earlier as revenue rose 23% to $12.9 million.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>MTQ Corp fell 6.8% to 95.5 cents after the maker of oilfield equipment said earnings for the quarter ended Dec 31 fell 66% y-o-y to $2.2 million on weakness in its Singapore and Australia operations.</p></div>


SINGAPORE (Feb 2): Singapore blue chips were mostly higher but shares in the broader market were less sought after.

At 12:21pm (0421 GMT), the Straits Times Index was up 0.5% at 3,409.57. Market breadth was negative, with decliners outnumbering gainers about 1.5 to one.

Comfor...

Singapore large caps advance but lower liners fall behind

The biggest US banks would face a 9% increase in capital requirements — a dramatic retreat from the original plan — after regulators agreed to sweeping changes to a proposed package of rules, according to people familiar with the matter. 

The original plan by the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency had called for a 19% jump in the capital that the eight US global systemically important banks, including Bank of America Corp. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., must hold as a cushion against unexpected losses and financial shocks.

Biggest US banks’ capital hike chopped in half in latest plan by regulators

(September 10) : Soybean futures rose as weather forecasts show little rain in Brazil and resulting dryness pushes back the start of planting season for a new soy crop. 

The seeding of the biggest soybean crop in the world is risking further delays, in turn propping up Chicago...

Soy futures rise as dry weather delays crop seeding in Brazil

Asian stocks were set to track a rebound on Wall Street fueled by renewed dip-buying ahead of inflation data due later this week that may give clues on the size of Federal Reserve rate cuts.

Futures pointed to Sydney’s benchmark climbing about 1%, with smaller gains in Tokyo and Hong Kong, in a reprieve from the September selloff triggered by concerns of a global economic slowdown.

Asian stocks poised to track Wall Street recovery

A renewed wave of dip buying spurred a rebound in stocks after a selloff triggered by economic concerns, with traders now looking to this week’s inflation data for clues on the size of Federal Reserve rate cuts.

All major groups in the S&P 500 rose, with the benchmark up 1.2%. That’s after its worst start to a September on record, according to Bespoke Investment Group data going back to 1953.

Stocks rise as buyers scoop up bargains after rout

Apple unveiled an updated Watch at an event on Monday focused on its artificial intelligence-enhanced (AI) iPhone 16, although Apple's product showcase risks being overshadowed by Chinese rival Huawei's tri-fold phone, unofficially announced earlier in the day.

Apple shows off new Watch with bigger screen as it kicks off iPhone 16 AI event

Mol Nyrt, the Hungarian energy company, said it reached a deal that will ensure the continued supply of Russian crude oil via a pipeline running through Ukraine.

The announcement from the Budapest-based company on Monday came after Ukraine effectively barred Lukoil PJSC from continuing to use it as a transit country in retaliation for Russia’s invasion.

Mol reaches Russia crude supply deal after Ukraine’s Lukoil halt

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry takes note of the recent reports on the presence of a foreign naval vessel near an offshore oil rig in Malaysia.

However, in a media advisory on Monday, the ministry said it is unable to comment on their accuracy or specifics regarding the movements of military vessels, as these matters fall under operational security and the defence authorities.

Malaysia takes note of reports on foreign naval vessel's presence in EEZ

The vast trove of information stored by the National Archives of Malaysia holds the potential to significantly enrich the nation’s historical records, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.

He said these valuable records have not been fully utilised by historians, leading to concerns about gaps in Malaysia’s historical documentation.

National Archives urged to enrich Malaysia’s historical records

Suria Capital Holdings Bhd said on Monday its wholly owned Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd (SPSB) has signed a collaboration agreement with Dubai-based port operator DP World FZE to operate the Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP).

Suria Capital and Dubai-based DP World ink agreement for joint operation of Sapangar Bay Container Port

<p>Ho Hup Construction Company Bhd (KL:HOHUP) and its 75%-owned subsidiary Ho Hup Ventures (KK) Sdn Bhd (HHVKK) have been served a writ of summons and statement of claim by state-owned Sabah Development Bank Bhd (SDB).</p>


Sabah Development Bank sues Ho Hup for loans to Golden Wave

<p>Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made news on Monday.</p>


99 Speed Mart, TNB, Eversendai, Binastra, Kelington, Jati Tinggi, Resintech and Gadang

<p>1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) wants the High Court here to determine if its former CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy and former board chairman Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah had taken actions or been the cause of 1MDB suffering losses of billions of dollars.</p>


1MDB wants court to determine if Arul Kanda and Irwan's actions caused 1MDB to suffer billions in losses  

<p>Developing talent and cultivating homegrown champions are the key challenges facing Malaysia’s semiconductor industry, as highlighted at The Edge–HSBC New Era For E&amp;E Industry Forum 2024.</p>

<p>As the country rides the next wave of semiconductor innovation, its success will hinge on addressing the twin hurdles of funding and talent development — both critical to ensuring the industry's long-term competitiveness.</p>


Malaysia needs to foster new champions in the E&E sector, says Miti minister

<p>Kelington Group Bhd (KL:KGB) said it has secured new contracts totalling RM413 million over the past two months, bringing its total value of contracts secured year-to-date to RM977 million.</p>


Kelington secures RM413 mil worth of new contracts over past two months

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<p class="thumb-cap">E...

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

<p>HSBC Holdings plc is weighing combining its commercial and investment bank divisions as part of new chief executive officer Georges Elhedery’s push to eliminate overlapping roles across the company and shed expenses.</p>


HSBC mulls combining commercial, investment bank to cut costs — Bloomberg

<p>Deflation stalking China since last year is now showing signs of spiralling, threatening to worsen the outlook for the world’s second-largest economy and raising calls for immediate policy action.</p>


China’s deflationary spiral is now entering dangerous new stage

<p>Infrastructure and engineering solutions provider Jati Tinggi Group Bhd (KL:JTGROUP) said it has bagged two contracts worth RM36.36 million for the installation of underground cables.</p>

<p>The first contract with a tenure of 17 months is valued at RM6.59 million. The contract, awarded by Worktime Engineering Sdn Bhd, involves the installation of 132kV underground cables for a data centre at Bukit Jalil. &nbsp;</p>


Jati Tinggi bags two contracts to lay underground cables

<p>Malaysia is stepping up its game in the semiconductor playing field, moving up the value chain by focusing on the front-end segment, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.</p>


Malaysia is stepping up its game in semiconductor industry — Tengku Zafrul

<p>Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor on Monday failed in her bid to have High Court judge Adlin Abdul Majid recuse herself from presiding over the US$346 million civil suit filed by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) against her.</p>


Rosmah fails in bid to recuse judge from hearing 1MDB's RM346m suit against her  

<p>Nova MSC Bhd (KL:NOVAMSC), which provides software for the healthcare sector, has secured a contract to roll out the National Diabetic Retinopathy (NDR) screening programme in Brunei.</p>


Nova MSC to provide AI-driven diabetic retinopathy screening in Brunei

<p>Gadang Holdings Bhd (KL:GADANG) said a sum of RM9.77 million allegedly owed by its units for work done related to the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project are idling costs that are not payable.</p>


Gadang says RM9.77 mil claimed by subcontractor is idling costs that are not payable

<p>JAKS Resources Bhd (KL:JAKS) said it is disposing of 178.48 acres of oil palm land in mainland Penang for RM77.74 million.</p>

<p>In a filing with the stock exchange, the construction and power utilities group said it is selling four plots of the land to Summersonic Sdn Bhd for RM35.9 million, and the remaining 13 plots to Pacific Arena Sdn Bhd for RM41.8 million.</p>


JAKS Resources to dispose of oil palm land in Penang for RM77.7 mil

<p>Proton Holdings Bhd has announced the start of operations for the assembly of its own completely-knocked-down (CKD) Proton Saga in Egypt to expand its international footprint, which the national automaker envisioned would pave the way for Egypt to become its export hub for the North African markets.</p>


Proton starts CKD ops in Egypt that it envisions will become its North African export hub

<p>Suria Capital Holdings Bhd said on Monday its wholly owned Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd (SPSB) has signed a collaboration agreement with Dubai-based port operator DP World FZE to operate the Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP).</p>


<p>Radiant Globaltech Bhd (KL:RGTECH) is acquiring an 80% equity interest in Rymnet Solutions Sdn Bhd for RM52.5 million, as it seeks to widen and diversify its information technology (IT) solutions offerings.</p>


Radiant Globaltech to acquire 80% of HR IT solutions provider Rymnet

<p>Apple unveiled an updated Watch at an event on Monday focused on its artificial intelligence-enhanced (AI) iPhone 16, although Apple's product showcase risks being overshadowed by Chinese rival Huawei's tri-fold phone, unofficially announced earlier in the day.</p>


<p>Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry takes note of the recent reports on the presence of a foreign naval vessel near an offshore oil rig in Malaysia.</p>

<p>However, in a media advisory on Monday, the ministry said it is unable to comment on their accuracy or specifics regarding the movements of military vessels, as these matters fall under operational security and the defence authorities.</p>


<p>Cloud computing has been one of the first industries to get a demonstrable boost from artificial intelligence (AI). Oracle Corp’s quarterly results on Monday are likely to extend that trend.</p>

<p>Although Oracle is not the largest cloud provider, AI demand fuelled sharp growth in its cloud infrastructure business in recent quarters. Its efforts to expand capacity and etch partnerships with other major tech companies stand to funnel even more business its way.</p>
