<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on December 23, 2019 - December 29, 2019</div><div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd (+ve)</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>TRADING of shares in Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd (HSP) (fundamental: 2.25/3, valuation: 1.2/3) triggered our momentum algorithm last Friday for the second time this year. The stock closed four sen or 2.04% higher at RM2 last Friday, with 276,600 shares done compared with its 200-day average volume of 51,906 shares.</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>In a research note dated Dec 20, Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) reiterated its positive view on Hap Seng Plantation’s near-term earnings outlook, on an improving palm oil price sentiment and a mild fresh fruit bunch production growth.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Noting the company’s net profit plunging 98.8% to RM300,000 for the nine months of financial year 2019 (9MFY19) mainly due to lower realised palm product prices, HLIB said it expects a significant earnings improvement from the fourth quarter of FY19, driven by a sharp recovery in crude palm oil (CPO) prices. “Based on our estimates, for every RM100 per tonne change in our CPO price assumption, it will change our net profit forecast for FY20 by RM11.6 million.”</div>

Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd (+ve)

TRADING of shares in Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd (HSP) (fundamental: 2.25/3, valuation: 1.2/3) triggered our momentum algorithm last Friday for the second time this year. The stock closed four sen or 2.04% higher at RM2 last...

Stock With Momentum: Hap Seng Plantations Holdings

Equities in Asia were poised to open Tuesday lower ahead of interest-rate decisions by major central banks across the globe due later this week, including the Federal Reserve. 

Futures contracts for Hong Kong equities pointed to a decline with a gauge of US-listed Chinese stocks falling over 2%.

Asian stocks to slip ahead of key rate decisions

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.

A C$62 billion ($43.5 billion) deficit in the last fiscal year blew past former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s pledge to keep the shortfall at or below C$40.1 billion.

Canada runs deeper deficits as finance minister resigns

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

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. 

The S&P 500 rose 0.4% while the Nasdaq 100 gained 1.5% to notch another record high.

US stocks close higher with Fed rate-cut expected

The central bank also proposes to recategorise certain home financing products as personal financing, with a tenure cap of 10 years.

 BNM plans to abolish flat rate rule on personal financing products to prevent penalising early repayers

President-elect Donald Trump, with SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son at his side, announced on Monday a US$100 billion (RM445 billion) investment in the US over the next four years in what would be a boost to the US economy.

Trump, SoftBank CEO announce US$100b US investment

The East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project has achieved 76.06% progress as of November, Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said.

The progress was on track to ensure that the project will be completed in December 2026 for the Kota Bharu to Gombak Integrated Terminal and then to Jalan Kastam in December 2027, he added.

ECRL project reaches 76% completion as of November — MRL

MicroStrategy shares rose about 3% on Monday as the software company and bitcoin buyer was set to join the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index, further brightening the prospects of the stock.

The US$25.7 trillion index that houses the largest non-financial companies will now gain indirect exposure to bitcoin via MicroStrategy, which holds US$44 billion worth of the digital currency on its balance sheet, about 2% of the total supply of the world's largest cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin buyer MicroStrategy's Nasdaq 100 entry to support stock rally

Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit on Monday after clashing with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible US tariffs, dealing another blow to an already unpopular government.

Canada's finance minister quits, in blow to Trudeau's government

Activity at US service providers is expanding at the fastest pace since October 2021, providing momentum for the economy even as the downturn in manufacturing worsens.

US services activity expands by most in more than three years

The central bank also proposes to recategorise certain home financing products as personal financing, with a tenure cap of 10 years.

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Monday.

Gamuda, Winstar Capital, MClean, DRB-Hicom, Sapura Industrial, NTPM, Crest, M&G, George Kent, Infomina, Perdana Petroleum, Advancecon

Singapore's ChemOne Group has delayed the start of its Pengerang Energy Complex (PEC) to the fourth quarter of 2028, with construction set to begin by mid-2025, it said on Monday, after securing more financing for the project.

Singapore's ChemOne delays Pengerang complex's start to 2028

Imaging company Crest Group Bhd (KL:CREST), which was listed on the ACE Market two months ago, said it is acquiring an industrial property in Puchong, Selangor for RM16.5 million to establish its new headquarters.

Crest Group acquires industrial property in Puchong to house new HQ

Sapura Industrial Bhd (KL:SAPIND) said on Monday that Puncak Exotika Sdn Bhd has ceased to be its substantial shareholder after it disposed of 500,000 shares in the automotive component manufacturer.

In a bourse filing, Sapura Industrial said that the transaction took place last Friday (Dec 13). A check with Bloomberg showed that the shares were traded at 82 sen apiece, or a cumulative RM410,000.

Puncak Exotika ceases to be substantial shareholder in Sapura Industrial

Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Britain's Labour government has pared back an audit of relations with China, four sources with knowledge of the matter said, preparing the way for a less critical report that could help Prime Minister Keir Starmer focus on improving economic ties.

Britain pares back secretive China strategy review, seeking closer ties

Two Singaporean ministers are taking legal action against Bloomberg over an article published on December 12, which they described as "libellous."

Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Dr Tan See Leng stated in separate Facebook posts that they will be issuing Letters of Demand concerning the article relating to their property transactions.

Singapore ministers to send letters of demand to Bloomberg over 'libellous article'

Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit on Monday after clashing with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible US tariffs, dealing another blow to an already unpopular government.

Aluminium products manufacturer Winstar Capital Bhd, set to be listed on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market on Dec 19, reported a net profit of RM3.31 million or 1.42 sen per share for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024).

Sunview-backed Winstar posts 3Q net profit of RM3.3m ahead of listing

President-elect Donald Trump, with SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son at his side, announced on Monday a US$100 billion (RM445 billion) investment in the US over the next four years in what would be a boost to the US economy.

(Dec 16): Cocoa futures reached a fresh record in New York as the market grapples with renewed supply concerns, heightening the odds that the high costs already plaguing chocolatiers and consumers will worsen.

Prices for the crop soared earlier this year as weak harvests in West Africa ...

Cocoa soars to fresh record in blow to world’s chocolate supply

Tissue paper manufacturer NTPM Holdings Bhd (KL:NTPM) has managed to stay in the black for a second consecutive quarter despite a lower revenue, thanks to a foreign exchange (forex) gain of RM5.92 million.

NTPM posts second straight quarterly profit on forex gain

The East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project has achieved 76.06% progress as of November, Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said.

The progress was on track to ensure that the project will be completed in December 2026 for the Kota Bharu to Gombak Integrated Terminal and then to Jalan Kastam in December 2027, he added.

The ringgit has strengthened by 2.8% against the US dollar as of Nov 22, 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Ringgit strengthened 2.8% against US dollar as of Nov 2024 — MOF

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.”

The implementation of the 15% global minimum tax (GMT) starting next year is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s financial position, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

MOF sees global minimum tax boosting Malaysia’s financial position 

The S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq climbed while the Dow was flat on Monday, as investors looked ahead to an anticipated Federal Reserve interest rate cut later in the week, as well as several key data releases that will help set the tone for policy next year.

S&P 500, Nasdaq rise on optimism ahead of rate cut, economic data

The European Union (EU) is suing the UK at the bloc’s top court for the way it limited the rights of EU citizens and their family members to live and work in Britain following Brexit.

EU takes UK to court over freedom of movement for bloc’s citizens

America’s surprisingly robust economy has raised expectations that US interest rates will stay high compared to Europe next year.