The last five years have seen CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) working diligently to improve its return on equity (ROE) — a key measure of profitability — and other important financial metrics that had fallen behind those of its rivals.

CIMB ready to accelerate, open to M&A

Property developer and construction firm Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd (LSH Capital) (KL:LSH) on Wednesday said it plans to rejuvenate the 10-acre area around KL Tower into an integrated destination for tourism, retail and cultural engagement.

LSH Capital plans to transform 10-acre KL Tower area into a tourism, retail and cultural destination

UBS Group AG executives have suggested that a permanent cap on the size of its investment bank be written into Swiss law to alleviate government concerns about a potential future rescue, a person familiar with the matter said.

UBS offering permanent cap on size of its investment bank to ease Swiss worries — Bloomberg

China’s ambassador warned the Canadian government against using it as a “bargaining chip” in trade negotiations with the US, but said it’s ready to pursue a bilateral free trade agreement if Canada removes barriers to Chinese investment.

Envoy warns Canada against using China as ‘bargaining chip’ with US

LG Electronics Inc’s Indian unit may get a lower valuation than previously expected in its initial public offering (IPO), according to people familiar with the development, after the recent decline in the nation’s stock market.

LG’s Indian unit may get lower valuation than expected, Bloomberg reports

China remains the top military and cyber threat to the US, according to a report by US intelligence agencies published on Tuesday that said Beijing was making "steady but uneven" progress on capabilities it could use to capture Taiwan.

China poses biggest military, cyber threat to US, intel chiefs say

Apple Inc’s chief executive officer Tim Cook visited China’s artificial intelligence (AI) hub of Hangzhou, the home of AI sensation DeepSeek, which shocked the world with its models built at a fraction of the cost of American rivals.

Apple CEO meets 'next generation of developers' in Hangzhou, DeepSeek's hometown

KUALA LUMPUR (March 26): China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCC-ECRL) has honoured 18 local vendors, including consultants and subcontractors, with the Excellence Award 2024, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the East Coast Rail Link project (ECRL).

CCC-ECRL recognises excellence of 18 local vendors for outstanding contributions to ECRL project

The US added six subsidiaries of Inspur Group, China's leading cloud computing and big data service provider, and dozens of other Chinese entities to its export restriction list on Tuesday.

US adds dozens of Chinese entities to export restrictions list, including Inspur units

British finance minister Rachel Reeves is expected to announce cuts to her spending plans on Wednesday in a bid to reassure investors that she can be trusted to fix the public finances as growth falters.

Reeves prepares for tough UK budget update as growth slows

SINGAPORE (March 26): OCBC chief executive officer Helen Wong, having led the bank to another record year of earnings, received a slight pay hike for FY2024 ended Dec 31, 2024, with a total package of S$12.8 million (RM42.39 million), versus the S$12.1 million she had received for FY2023.

OCBC CEO Helen Wong’s FY2024 pay up 5.7% to S$12.8m

Police are believed to have called up several corporate figures in Kuala Lumpur and Penang in their investigations related to the money trail of the now-defunct pyramid scheme MBI.

Bukit Aman calls up corporate figures to assist in investigations on MBI's money trail — sources

Affin Bank Bhd (KL:AFFIN) may come under investors' microscope for its weakening capital position amid above-industry loan growth.

Affin Bank may come under investors' scrutiny for weakening capital position, RHB flags

The two sons of the late Hong Kong billionaire Lee Shau-Kee now control their father’s US$10 billion (RM44.23 billion) stake in property firm&nbsp;Henderson Land Development Co, according to new filings.

HK billionaire Lee Shau-Kee’s sons get control of US$10b Henderson stake

PETALING JAYA (March 26): Cuckoo International (MAL) Bhd has launched Malaysia’s biggest initial public offering (IPO) in seven months to raise more than RM470 million.

Cuckoo launches Malaysia’s biggest IPO in seven months at RM1.29 per share

Shares of Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:ASTRO) hit another record low on Wednesday, as investors remained wary of the pay-television operator’s outlook, amid softening advertising expenditure and declining subscription.

Astro tests new record low as results disappoint, analysts flag uncertain future

YTL Power International Bhd’s (KL:YTLPOWR) artificial intelligence data centre (AI DC) segment could contribute up to RM900 million to its net earnings by mid-2027, provided that it achieves full capacity offtake, according to CGS International.

AI data centre segment could contribute RM900m to YTL Power’s earnings by mid-2027 — CGS International

Chemlite Innovation Bhd (KL:CLITE) fell in its first trade on the ACE Market on Wednesday, adding to a streak of listing day declines.

The Penang-based company, which provides surface finishing treatment services, opened at 23 sen compared with its initial public offering (IPO) price of 25 sen per share. The stock continued to slide, and was down 10% to 22.5 sen as of 9.05am, after more than 20.5 million shares changed hands.

Chemlite dips on ACE Market debut, extends listing flops

(March 26):&nbsp;Billionaire Ong Beng Seng will&nbsp;plead guilty&nbsp;at a later date than originally expected in a case related to a former Singapore government minister who was jailed for obtaining gifts from the property tycoon.

Billionaire Ong’s Singapore guilty plea delayed on doctor’s report

Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd’s (KL:MATRIX)&nbsp;long-serving group managing director Ho Kong Soon, 58, is resigning to pursue personal endeavours.

Matrix Concepts group MD Ho Kong Soon to step down on April 1

At least two research&nbsp;houses upgraded their call on Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd (KL:ABMB), after its share price dropped to a more attractive valuation, amid a proposed rights issue aimed at supporting the banking group's growth.

Analysts upgrade Alliance Bank, say selldown 'overdone' amid proposed rights issue

PUTRAJAYA (March 26): The Court of Appeal (COA) has upheld on Wednesday the forfeiture of RM3.2 million worth of luxury cars, jewellery, handbags, watches, and foreign and local currency, worth more than RM3.2 million, from former Johor executive council member Datuk Abd Latif Bandi and eight others.

Appellate court upholds RM3.2m forfeiture of valuables from ex-Johor exco, real estate agent

KUALA LUMPUR (March 26): Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) sees the ban on online optical device and contact lens sales in Malaysia as a boost for Focus Point Holdings Bhd (KL:FOCUSP).&nbsp;

Online sales ban on eyewear to benefit Focus Point, says HLIB

PERTH (March 26): British Airways will restart daily flights to Kuala Lumpur from April 2 this year, four years after axing the Malaysian capital from its route network in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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British Airways to restart daily flights to KL on April 2 after four-year hiatus

KUALA LUMPUR (March 26): MISC Bhd (KL:MISC) could potentially pay out higher dividends from this year onwards from a cash flow boost from a project in Brazil, Maybank Investment Bank said on Wednesday.

MISC could potentially pay out higher dividends starting 2025 — Maybank

Singaporean ride and delivery firm Grab Holdings Ltd is in talks to raise a loan of as much as US$2 billion (RM8.85 billion) to back its potential takeover of Indonesia-based rival GoTo Group Inc, according to people familiar with the matter.

Grab seeks up to US$2 bil loan for potential takeover of GoTo

SYDNEY (March 26): Petroliam Nasional Bhd, known as Petronas, is aiming to raise up to US$3 billion (RM13.27 billion) in a three-tranche dollar bond transaction, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Petronas aims to raise US$3b in dollar bond deal — Reuters

Solarvest&nbsp;Holdings&nbsp;Bhd’s&nbsp;(KL:SLVEST) unit Atlantic Blue Sdn&nbsp;Bhd&nbsp;has&nbsp;secured an engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contract from SV Flux Sdn&nbsp;Bhd,&nbsp;an indirect unit of Penang Development Corp (PDC),&nbsp;worth RM103.08 million.

Solarvest secures RM103m EPCC contract from Penang Development Corp unit

Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio warned House Republicans of the dangers of rising US deficits and urged them to cut the budget deficit to just 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) or risk debt service costs squeezing government spending.

Dalio warns GOP of ‘dire’ debt as lawmakers weigh tax cuts

Cuckoo International (MAL) Bhd, en route to the Main Market, is looking at double-digit growth in income from rental of its products partly backed by an expansion in its offerings.

Adeline Paul Raj & Anis Hazim