ON Dec 7, Notre-Dame de Paris, the iconic 12th-century medieval cathedral in the French capital, reopened its doors five years after a devastating fire destroyed its roof and spire. US president-elect Donald Trump, current First Lady Jill Biden, England’s Prince William, Ukraine President Volodym...

Tech: LVMH, Kering, Hermès and the luxury sector consolidation

BETWEEN 1800s and early 1900s, a bunch of powerful financiers dominated America through their political networking or guanxi, making a ton of money in the process through — what we might in this day and age call — questionable practices. They were dubbed “robber barons”, a term first used in the ...

Tech: Trump, Musk and a new era of robber barons

AS soon as I walked out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Terminal 3, I spotted a young woman trying to open the boot of a driverless Waymo and get her luggage out. You can’t open the doors or trunk of a robotaxi without pressing the right button on your smartphone app. The Google-con...

Tech: My day in Phoenix in driverless Waymo robotaxis

ON Tuesday, Nov 5, Americans will go to the polls to elect their 47th president. Incumbent Joe Biden’s four-year term of office ends at noon on Jan 20 next year, when a new president will be sworn in. Since mid-July when Biden, 82, announced that he would not seek re-election, the race has litera...

Who will win the US election and should you care?

TOWARDS the end of the European trading day on Oct 15, Dutch chip equipment giant ASML Holding NV, which has a monopoly on making machines and tools for manufacturing the most advanced chips, like those used to train large language artificial intelligence (AI) models, inadvertently revealed its t...

Tech: Chip equipment giant ASML poised to bounce back 

THREE or four mornings every week, I am on a treadmill or a stationary bike in my condominium’s gym with music from Spotify, or occasionally Apple Music, streaming into my AirPods.

I am a premium subscriber of Spotify and I get Apple Music through my subscription to the Apple One bundle...

Tech: Spotify’s rebound is music to investors’ ears

THE race for technological sovereignty is becoming the new driving force for global growth. As countries around the world seek to build up their own infrastructure to ensure they, too, are able to make use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) — to enhance productivity, drive innovation ...

Tech: Will Sovereign AI be a game changer?

THERE is a lot of global stock market envy these days. From Singapore’s SGX to Seoul’s KRX to Stockholm’s Nasdaq, the honchos of exchanges around the world wish they too had something that America has: a robust stock market that is helping to boost prosperity, driving economic growth and fuelling...

Tech: How to revive moribund stock markets around the world 

WHO hasn’t had a Slurpee? Or, for that matter, an Icee? The two popular signature carbonated slushies are sold in convenience stores around the world. First introduced in the early 1960s, Icee was the original slushy. The Icee Company licensed its slushy to Southland Ice Co, a Texas-based ice sel...

Tech: 7-Eleven, Circle K and the quest for a convenience behemoth

IF you want to know what a big global monopolist looks like, look no further than Google. The search behemoth hands out over a whopping US$50 billion every year in “traffic acquisition cost” payments to device makers like Apple and Samsung Electronics, US wireless carriers AT&T, Verizon and T...

Tech: Why Google, rebranded a monopolist, will continue to thrive

MORNING CALL: 22/1/25

(Jan 22): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a private sector investment of up to US$500 billion (RM2.23 trillion) to fund infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to outpace rival nations in the business-critical technology.

Trump announces private-sector US$500 bil investment in AI infrastructure

Sunway Bhd (KL:SUNWAY) has started the ball rolling for the initial public offer (IPO) of its healthcare unit, sources told The Edge.

Maybank Investment Bank Bhd and AmInvestment Bank Bhd are said to be the front-runners as principal advisers for the IPO of Sunway Healthcare Group, the sources said.

Sunway shortlists bankers for healthcare unit's IPO 

For all the hand-wringing about the potential fallout of Donald Trump’s expansive, pro-growth policy agenda, the US treasury market has gotten off to a smooth start.

On day one, Trump appeases bond traders and pushes down rates

Asian futures broadly pointed to gains after US stocks climbed as President Donald Trump struck a better-than-feared tone on global trade and speculation grew that his policies will further boost corporate America.

Asia stocks set to gain as Trump tariff fears ebb

One trading day into Donald Trump’s second term and it’s clear the stock market has a new driver, at least for now. Share prices rallied Tuesday, with gains largely generated by one thing the president didn’t do: enact sweeping tariffs on major trading partners.

Stocks rally on tariff delay in market mesmerised by Trump

The World Health Organization (WHO) called on the US to reconsider President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the agency, suggesting the move could undermine global health security.
 
The planned departure would leave the WHO scrambling to replace its top donor, which contributed US$1.3 billion (RM5.84 billion) to the organisation between 2022 and 2023. Without US funding, work that the WHO carries out on containing diseases such as HIV, polio and Ebola as well as a recent outbreak of lethal Marburg virus could be at risk.

WHO urges Trump to reconsider US exit

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is one of a kind and a phenomenal move between Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised on Tuesday.

“There is an element of trust in working together on a joint programme that will benefit one another.

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone is one of a kind, phenomenal — Anwar

China is ready to collaborate with Malaysia to promote East Asian cooperation and regional economic integration during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship 2025, China’s Consul-General in Penang, Zhou Youbin, said. 

He stated that China is also willing to work with Malaysia to maintain the trend of regional development cooperation and contribute to regional and global peace and stability.

China to work with Malaysia, promote East Asian cooperation and regional economic integration

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the provision of free toll during festive seasons does not solve traffic congestion on toll highways.

He said it was important for road users to change their behaviour and plan their trips when the festive season arrives.

Free toll during festive seasons does not solve traffic congestion on highways — Ahmad Zahid

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

MRCB, MNRB, CIMB, Pansar, Yinson, Mah Sing, YNH, Sunway REIT, Alpha IVF, KIP REIT, UOA REIT, Taghill, KTI Landmark 

Data centre-related stocks and proxies to artificial intelligence (AI) on Bursa Malaysia rebounded on Tuesday, driven by expectations of gradual approach to tariff policies by the new Donald Trump’s US administration.&nbsp;

Trump's future policies are expected to be less aggressive compared to his previous term, with the possibility of reversing some of the restrictions imposed by Joe Biden, said Rakuten Trade head of research Kenny Yee.

Data centre-linked stocks, AI proxies rebound amid expectations of Trump’s gradual tariff implementation 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held high-level meetings with business leaders from six multinational companies (MNCs) including AstraZeneca, Fortescue, DP World, Medtronics, Nestle and Google.

Arranged by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti), the one-on-one meetings took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit 2025 at the Mountain Plaza Hotel, here, where Anwar, who is also the finance minister, led the Malaysian delegation.

Anwar meets six MNCs including Google, Nestle on the sidelines of WEF 2025

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is one of a kind and a phenomenal move between Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised on Tuesday.

“There is an element of trust in working together on a joint programme that will benefit one another.

UOA Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:UOAREIT) posted a 8.55% increase in net rental income for the fourth quarter on improved occupancy.

Net rental income rose to RM20.36 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2024 (4QFY2024), from RM18.76 million in the same period a year earlier, according to the office and commercial property trust’s bourse filing. &nbsp;

UOA REIT's 4Q rental income rises 8.5% on improved occupancy, declares 3.24 sen DPU

(Jan 22): US&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;on Tuesday announced&nbsp;a&nbsp;private&nbsp;sector&nbsp;investment&nbsp;of up to US$500&nbsp;billion (RM2.23 trillion) to fund&nbsp;infrastructure&nbsp;for artificial intelligence (AI),&nbsp;aiming to outpace rival nations in the business-critical technology.

EFishery Pte, one of Indonesia’s most prominent startups, may have inflated its revenue and profit over several years, according to an internal investigation triggered by a whistleblower’s claim about the company’s accounting.

SoftBank-backed fish startup allegedly faked most of its sales

Asian futures broadly pointed to gains after US stocks climbed as President Donald Trump struck a better-than-feared tone on global trade and speculation grew that his policies will further boost corporate America.&nbsp;

The World Health Organization (WHO) called on the US to reconsider President Donald Trump’s decision to exit the agency, suggesting the move could undermine global health security. 
&nbsp; 
The planned departure would leave the WHO scrambling to replace its top donor, which contributed US$1.3 billion (RM5.84 billion) to the organisation between 2022 and 2023. Without US funding, work that the WHO carries out on containing diseases such as HIV, polio and Ebola as well as a recent outbreak of lethal Marburg virus could be at risk.&nbsp;

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the provision of free toll during festive seasons does not solve traffic congestion on toll highways.

He said it was important for road users to change their behaviour and plan their trips when the festive season arrives.

China is ready to collaborate with Malaysia to promote East Asian cooperation and regional economic integration during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship 2025, China’s Consul-General in Penang, Zhou Youbin, said.&nbsp;

He stated that China is also willing to work with Malaysia to maintain the trend of regional development cooperation and contribute to regional and global peace and stability.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKM Service Life Extension Programme (Slep) by local company, Aerospace Technology Systems Corporation (ATSC) will ensure the aircraft will operate well and be used for another decade.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said ATSC has conducted Service Life Extension and Preventive Restoration Works/Overhaul to ensure that aircraft could operate longer and would ensure that Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft were at optimum levels and reduce expenditure compared to sending the aircraft to Russia.

Service life extension programme ensures Sukhois will fly for next decade

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has ample candidates to fill the vacancy of chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Sports Institute (NSI) to replace Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli who will end his service on Feb 24.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said that currently her department has received more than 19 applications for the position from government servants and the private sector.

More than 19 candidates vying for National Sports Institute CEO's post — Hannah

(Jan 21):&nbsp;Booming credit markets are throwing private equity firms a lifeline as they strive to return cash to investors: Instead of relying on the IPO market, they can pile portfolio companies with more debt and give themselves a payout.

Dividend recapitalizations, where a firm bo...

Private equity has a plan if IPOs, sales don't work: More debt

Goldman Sachs Group Inc is preparing to promote a slate of star executives to run its biggest Wall Street business lines, spotlighting the firm’s next generation of leadership.

Goldman picks leaders to run Wall Street engines in major revamp

Treasuries rallied as fears that Donald Trump’s policies will fuel inflation eased, after the US president refrained from imposing China-specific tariffs for now.

The 10-year US yield fell as much as 10 basis points to 4.53% on Tuesday, as the market reopened after a US holiday. Meanwhile, the dollar rallied as Trump said he still plans to impose&nbsp;25% tariffs&nbsp;on Mexico and Canada from next month, which sent currencies from both countries tumbling over 1%.

US bonds rise as tariff respite for China eases inflation fears

(Jan 21): Apple Inc&nbsp;has received a fresh pair of analyst downgrades, in the latest sign that soft iPhone sales are becoming an increasing concern for investors, as artificial intelligence fails to act as a hoped-for growth catalyst.

Shares fell 2% in premarket trading on Tuesday, e...

Apple’s tough January worsens as analysts cut on iPhone weakness

A fire at a ski resort hotel in Türkiye's Bolu mountains killed 66 people on Tuesday and forced panicked guests to jump out of windows in the middle of the night.

Some 51 people were also injured, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said at the Kartalkaya ski resort in northwest Türkiye.

Fire at Turkish ski resort kills 66, forces guests to jump from windows

Wall Street's main indexes edged up on Tuesday, as investors assessed President Donald Trump's executive orders after taking office, while awaiting his first move on trade policy.

Trump did not lay out any concrete plans on the universal tariffs and additional surcharges on close trade partners as previously promised, but said he was thinking about imposing duties on Canadian and Mexican goods as early as Feb 1.

Wall St edges higher with focus on Trump's trade policy

(Jan 21):&nbsp;Investor confidence in Germany’s economy fell more than expected before next month’s snap election, underscoring persistent doubts in the country’s ability to escape its current bout of stagnation.

The ZEW institute’s index of expectations dropped to 10.3 in January from ...

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