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

The US-euro rate gap that triggered Trump’s Fed bashing is set to widen again

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago president Austan Goolsbee said he doesn’t see convincing evidence that the economy is overheating despite a gangbusters September jobs report.

Speaking in an interview on Bloomberg’s Odd Lots podcast before Thursday’s consumer price index report, Goolsbee reiterated that inflation has cooled significantly and the labour market remains strong.

US Fed’s Goolsbee praises progress on inflation, labour market

US Federal Reserve (Fed) vice-chair Philip Jefferson said risks to the central bank’s employment and inflation goals are now closer to equal.

“The balance of risks to our two mandates has changed — as risks to inflation have diminished and risks to employment have risen, these risks have been brought roughly into balance,” Jefferson said on Tuesday in prepared remarks for an event at the Davidson College in North Carolina.

Fed vice-chair says risks to inflation, employment now balanced

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

Alliance Bank, UUE, Nestcon, Infomina, ITMAX, KUB, CI Holdings, MN Holdings, Coastal Contracts, Sentoria

Meta Platforms Inc will end third-party fact-checking on its social media platforms in the US, letting users comment on posts’ accuracy with a community notes system it said will promote free expression.

Meta cuts fact-checkers, says content moderation went ‘too far’

Apple Inc shares have had a challenging start to 2025, as investors fret over weakness in the critical Chinese market.

The shares fell for five straight sessions before Monday’s bounce, in the longest losing streak since April.

January will be tough for Apple as it faces China weakness, tariff risks

Getty Images said on Tuesday it would merge with rival Shutterstock to create a US$3.7 billion (RM16.6 billion) stock image powerhouse geared for the artificial intelligence (AI) era, in a deal that would likely draw antitrust scrutiny.

Getty Images, Shutterstock gear up for AI challenge with US$3.7b merger

Singapore passed a new law on Tuesday allowing police to freeze bank accounts of scam victims as a "last resort" measure to prevent further losses.

Singapore empowers police to freeze bank accounts in scam crackdown

Indonesia's industry minister met representatives of Apple on Tuesday to discuss the company's potential investment in the country, a prerequisite for the tech giant to sell its latest iPhone 16 locally, the minister said.

Indonesia, Apple discuss investment proposal linked to iPhone sale ban

Growth at US service providers quickened in December, reflecting stronger business activity that helped push a price measure to the highest since early 2023.

The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) index of services advanced two points to 54.1 last month, the group said on Tuesday.

US services index climbs, price gauge hits highest since 2023

Biocon Biologics, a global company with capabilities in the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of biosimilars, is committed to implementing business expansion in Malaysia.

Biocon Biologics committed to business development in Malaysia — PM

Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK) is committed to becoming the preferred financial institution for Malaysia-Singapore financial transactions and solutions, following the signing of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) agreement, which aims to foster economic integration and bolster regional growth.

Maybank aims to be preferred financial institution for Malaysia-Singapore transactions

Six vehicle inspection officers from the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) suspected of being involved in a syndicate approving heavy vehicle inspections have been suspended with immediate effect.

Puspakom case: Six vehicle inspection officers suspended with immediate effect

National oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd, or Petronas, said on Tuesday it is embarking on a study to explore untapped resources in the Malay Basin off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Petronas to study mature Malay Basin that still holds untapped resources

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) expects a de-rating for the Malaysian oil-and-gas sector, given the high possibility of capital expenditure reduction by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) in 2025.

O&G sector faces de-rating on potential Petronas capex cut — Maybank IB

The existence of the royal addendum in Najib's royal pardon raises significant questions that warrant clarification.

Najib Pardon: There is nothing pending for current Agong to deliberate on

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) achieved record-high vehicle sales and production volumes in 2024, marking an 8.4% increase in sales compared to the previous year, along with its highest production output to date.

Perodua achieved record-high vehicle sales, production in 2024

The government has&nbsp;decided that the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project can be revived if there is full participation from the private sector, with minimal government involvement, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.&nbsp;

KL-Singapore HSR can be revived with full private participation, says Anwar

Royal addendum? House arrest? If you, like many Malaysians, are confused over what took place in imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's court case on Monday, below is a brief elucidation highlighting the main takeaways.

Your guide to understanding Najib's house arrest bid

EA Technique (M) Bhd (KL:EATECH) said on Tuesday that it will get an undisclosed payoff as part of an amicable settlement with national oil-and-gas company Petronas over the lease of a floating storage unit vessel.

EA Technique to get payoff from Petronas to settle vessel lease dispute

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): The Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM) has reprimanded a former unit trust consultant for allegedly cheating during its examination.

FIMM reprimands unit trust consultant for alleged cheating in exam

LAS VEGAS/TOKYO (Jan 6): Tesla supplier Panasonic Energy plans to eliminate its supply-chain dependence on China for electric vehicle (EV) batteries made in the United States, a senior executive told Reuters, calling the shift a "No.1 objective".

Tesla supplier Panasonic Energy says cutting China supply for US business a 'No.1 objective'

theedgemalaysia.com highlighted five stocks with momentum at Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon close on Tuesday. Two stocks showed positive momentum, while the rest showed positive momentum.

Stocks with momentum on Jan 7, 2025: Nationgate, Lien Hoe, Gamuda, Wong Engineering, Velocity Capital

<h2>Notable filings</h2>

For the week of Dec 9 to 13, notable shareholding changes at Bursa Malaysia-listed companies included those at FSBM Holdings Bhd (KL:FSBM), which saw its chief technology officer Low Kang Wei cease to be a substantial shareholder.

According t...

Insider Moves: FSBM Holdings Bhd,  N2N Connect Bhd, Datasonic Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, Sunway Bhd   

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) is exploring new funding models&nbsp;including public-private partnerships (PPPs) for future infrastructure projects like the Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) Circle Line, according to MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim.

MRT Corp looking into public-private partnerships, other new funding models for future projects — CEO

Government analysis shows that more than 30% of jobs in Malaysia will be affected by artificial intelligence (AI) in the next 10 years, with key sectors such as manufacturing, services, and information technology expected to undergo significant transformation, said Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.

AI to impact over 30% of jobs in Malaysia in next 10 years — minister

Cypark Resources Bhd (KL: CYPARK) said on Tuesday that it has achieved the commercial operation date (COD) for one of its two 60MW floating solar plants at Danau Tok Uban (DTU), Kelantan.

Cypark Resources achieves commercial operation date for first 30MW floating solar plant at Danau Tok Uban

Port Klang, comprising Northport and Westports, has reportedly secured the 10th spot among the world’s busiest ports in 2024, according to Transport Minister Athony Loke Siew Fook.

Port Klang ranked 10th among world's busiest ports in 2024, says Loke

Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd (KL:ABMB) sees insignificant impact towards its profit and loss (P&amp;L), should the banking sector moves away from the “Rule of 78” method for calculating interest on personal financing.

Alliance Bank expects little impact on profit and loss if 'Rule of 78' for calculating interest on personal financing is abolished

<h3>Building materials</h3>

Overweight

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Brokers Digest: Local Equities: Building materials, Yinson Holdings Bhd, DKSH Holdings (M) Bhd, YTL Power International Bhd

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has obtained permission from the High Court here to initiate contempt of court proceedings against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Zahid obtains leave to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Dr M

Datuk Seri Najib Razak found an unlikely ally in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent statement that some prosecutions post-2018 general elections were "rushed".

1MDB-Tanore: Najib leans on PM's statement that some post-2018-GE prosecutions were rushed, says AGC has to review charges against him

Malaysia and Singapore are reopening discussions on long-standing issues such as water supply, maritime delimitation and airspace.

Catarina Saraiva

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Catarina Saraiva

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