AS the Chinese Lunar Calendar turns a new leaf, we bid farewell to the mythical beast Dragon and embrace the arrival of the enigmatic Snake. Gong Xi Fa Cai to all. This year, the Wood Snake slithers into the spotlight, bringing with it unique energies and opportunities that point to an unforgettable 2025.

What's approaching in this Wood Snake year?

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

Sime Darby Property, Sime Darby, Axis REIT, Public Bank, YTL Corp, KLCCP, BAT Malaysia, BFood, Velesto, Inari, MSM Malaysia

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made news on Monday. Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Deleum Bhd, Berjaya Food Bhd (BFood), Berjaya Corp Bhd (BCorp), Iskandar Waterfront City Bhd, Ge-Shen Corp Bhd, EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd, HCK Capital Group Bhd, Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd (Masteel), SMRT Holdings Bhd and Nylex Malaysia Bhd.

TNB, Deleum, BFood, BCorp, Iskandar Waterfront, Ge-Shen,  EcoFirst, HCK Capital, Masteel, SMRT, Nylex

BMW expects trade tariffs to cost the carmaker €1 billion (US$1.09 billion or RM4.8 billion) this year, its CEO said on Friday, factoring in EU duties on its China-made EV and newly imposed US tariffs which are upending global trade.

BMW expects €1b hit to earnings as tariff war escalates

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (March 14): The US State Department said it will install a senior diplomat to oversee its 1,300-strong embassy in Beijing and consulates in China while Washington's ambassadorial pick David Perdue awaits Senate confirmation.

Anny Vu, current political section chief at...

US to install Anny Vu as chargé to oversee embassy in China 

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Friday.

FBM KLCI up 0.14% to 1,512.15 on March 14, 2025

MOSCOW/RIYADH (March 14): Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed on the importance of upholding their OPEC+ commitments and discussed moves to bring peace to Ukraine during a phone call, the Kremlin said late on Thursday.

The leaders ...

Putin, Saudi Crown Prince discuss Opec+ agreements and Ukraine crisis in call

Government e-services provider Pertama Digital Bhd (KL:PERTAMA) plans to acquire 80% stakes in two companies, D-Ron Singapore Pte Ltd (D-Ron SG) and D-Ron Malaysia Sdn Bhd (D-Ron MY), for RM106.12 million in cash.

Pertama Digital acquires 80% stakes in two companies for RM106m as part of its regularisation plan

Malaysia’s central bank on Friday announced the appointment of Aznan Abdul Aziz as deputy governor following the retirement of Jessica Chew Cheng Lian.

BNM names Aznan Abdul Aziz as deputy governor as Jessica Chew retires

BEIJING (March 14): China and Russia stood by Iran on Friday after the United States demanded nuclear talks with Tehran, with senior Chinese and Russian diplomats saying dialogue should only resume based on "mutual respect" and all sanctions ought to be lifted.

China, Russia back Iran as Trump presses Tehran for nuclear talks

The initiative to ensure that 70% of students in fully residential schools choose the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) stream is crucial to achieving the target of producing 60,000 engineers needed to meet industry demand, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

STEM focus in residential schools to produce 60,000 engineers — Ahmad Zahid

Safe-haven gold surged to a record high on Friday, trading close to the key US$3,000 (RM13,337) mark, propelled by ongoing trade war fears and expectations of a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.

Gold scales all-time peak, flirts with US$3,000 mark 

China’s economy likely showed stability in the first two months of the year, despite US President Donald Trump returning to office and almost instantly starting a second trade war with Beijing.

China’s economy forecast to show resilience as trade war begins

China’s top office on Hong Kong issues reposted a sharp attack on CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd for agreeing to sell a controlling stake in Panama ports, warning companies to be very careful about which “side they should stand on.”

China amplifies rebuke of Li Ka-shing’s Panama Port deal with BlackRock

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Batik Air has thrown support behind the Subang Airport Regeneration Plan (SARP), urging airline regulators to expedite the allocation for additional slots at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, following AirAsia’s plans to relocate its jet operations to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (klia2).

Batik Air throws support behind Subang Airport's expansion, urges faster slot allocation following AirAsia’s departure

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Forest City is enhancing the infrastructure in southern Johor to support the development of the Special Financial Zone (SFZ) and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), to create a key transportation hub in the region.

Forest City expands transportation infrastructure to support SFZ and JS-SEZ

Gold-related counters on Bursa Malaysia surged on Friday as the precious metal, a haven asset for investors, soared to a record high due to rising concerns over the US economy.

Gold counters on Bursa Malaysia surge as safe haven demand rises amid concerns over US economy

As US President Donald Trump's wide-ranging trade war rouses fears of recession, global investors have found an unlikely new sanctuary: Chinese equities.

Donald Trump makes Chinese stocks great again

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Malaysian stocks turned positive after opening lower on Friday, boosted by gains across most Asian markets following news of a potential bipartisan support to avert a US government shutdown.

Malaysian stocks turn positive as investors across Asia cheer potential bipartisan deal to avert US govt shutdown

(March 14): Malaysia’s Petronas is evaluating a sale of its shale oil asset in Argentina, a move that would complete its exit from the country’s booming Vaca Muerta fields as several international drillers also look to divest from the region.

Petronas has begun a process that may result...

Petronas evaluating exit from Argentina shale oil venture, Bloomberg reports

The upcoming Democratic Action Party (DAP) polls may not have the most crowded field for the central executive committee's (CEC) posts. However, it has drawn keen attention as internal rifts have abruptly escalated.

DAP party polls: Guan Eng faces toughest battle yet as internal rifts come into the open

Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd is considering acquiring Innovation Network Corp of Japan’s 21% stake in telecommunications tower company Edotco Group Sdn Bhd, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Khazanah said to be in talks to buy INCJ stake in tower firm Edotco — Bloomberg

Khazanah Nasional Bhd-owned TT Vision Holdings Bhd (KL:TTVHB) has been slapped with an unusual market activity (UMA) query after a sudden spike in its share price on Friday.

Khazanah-owned TT Vision Holdings queried about spike in share price

Global stocks looked set for their weakest weekly performance since September 2024, while gold hit a record high, as angst over US tariffs, inflation and a trade row hitting industries from metals to malt whisky weighed on risk appetite.

Shares set for weekly drop, gold hits record high as tariff risks lurk

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Malaysia’s stock market valuation remains attractive despite global economic uncertainties stemming from escalating trade tensions and US tariff threats, said Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd head of research Kenny Yee Shen Pin.

Malaysia’s stock market valuation remains attractive amid Trump-driven global uncertainties — Rakuten

China stands to gain from the ongoing trade wars between the US and its allies, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in an interview with Bloomberg Television.

China is ‘laughing’ at US trade wars, EU top diplomat says

Construction firm Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd (KL:KERJAYA) has bolstered its outstanding order book to RM4.1 billion with the latest award of a RM11.64 million construction contract in Penang.

Kerjaya Prospek boosts order book to RM4.1b with recent Penang construction job win 

(March 14):&nbsp;As stocks&nbsp;stumbled&nbsp;in recent weeks, a cohort of Wall Street pros took solace as credit markets held firm and economic data proved benign.

On Thursday, neither offered much relief.&nbsp;

After President Donald Trump escalated his trade war across the ...

Stock turmoil spreads as fear hits the world of corporate bonds

<a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/748019" target="_blank">https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/748019</a>WASHINGTON/BENGALURU (March 13): US&nbsp;automaker Tesla has warned that it and other major American exporters are exposed to retaliatory tariffs that could be levelled in response to US President Donald Trump's aggressive use of tariffs.

Tesla warns it, other major American exporters could face retaliatory tariffs as a result of Trump's trade policies

Malaysiakini reporter B Nantha Kumar, who has been publishing investigative reports exposing migrant worker syndicates, has claimed trial to allegations of receiving a RM20,000 bribe.

Malaysiakini reporter claims trial to RM20,000 bribery charge

HONG KONG/SINGAPORE (March 14): Container-vessel company MTT Shipping Sdn Bhd has revived plans for an initial public offering (IPO) in Malaysia, that could raise as much as US$200 million, according to people familiar with the matter.&nbsp;

MTT Shipping is said to revive US$200m Malaysian IPO plan — Bloomberg

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): GXBank Bhd and Grab Malaysia have shortlisted eight startup companies to participate in a six-month-long TeXnovasi Accelerator Programme, aimed at driving innovation within Malaysia’s fintech ecosystem.

GXBank, Grab Malaysia shortlist eight startups to drive fintech innovation

In a few short weeks, President Donald Trump has started silencing the buy-the-dip stock traders who set the tone on Wall Street for the better part of two decades.&nbsp;

In their place are growing calls to lock in profits and sit on the sidelines while Trump’s trade-war chaos upends the economic outlook — and casts uncertainty over who, if anyone, will emerge as the new era’s stock-market winners.

Anis Hazim & Justin Lim