WITH the tabling of Budget 2025 just around the corner, all eyes are on the government’s expected implementation of the global minimum tax (GMT) on Jan 1, 2025, and what this will mean for Malaysia’s ability to maintain its competitive edge as an investment destination.

On that day, the...

The State of the Nation: Budget 2025: Eyes on implementation of global minimum tax

WE continue with our story last week on returns generated by super big-cap stocks (with market capitalisation of above RM10 billion) since September 1998. We also look at the big caps — those with a market cap of between RM 1 billion and RM10 billion. The top 20 of the...

Part 2: Stocks you wish you had bought in September 1998

The main focus in Malaysia this week will be on Budget 2025, which is scheduled to be tabled by the prime minister on Friday. Many economists expect the overall budget to remain expansionary, with supportive measures to address the elevated cost of living, improve the people’s quality of life, enhance rural development and transform the economy at a sustainable pace.

The Week Ahead: Attention on Budget 2025, China data and major economies’ monetary policies

PENANG-headquartered Critical Holdings Bhd (KL:CHB), which was listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia last December, appears to be in a good position to ride the nation’s data centre (DC) boom. Having strengthened its core businesses over the last decade, the mechanical, electrical and proces...

Critical Holdings sets sight on data centre boom

Sunway Construction Group Bhd

Target price: RM6 ADD

Brokers Digest: Local Equities - Sunway Construction Group Bhd, Dialog Group Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Swift Haulage Bhd 

AS Putrajaya seeks to shore up the national coffers and reduce its fiscal deficit while balancing the needs of businesses and the public in an environment of high inflation, most tax experts are expecting the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to expand the scope of several taxes that were introduced earl...

The State of the Nation: Tax experts: Budget 2025 to see expanded tax scope, new taxes unlikely

Over at The Reserve Bank of Australia, the minutes for its September policy meeting will be released on Tuesday.

The Week Ahead: Central banks’ monetary policy decisions, inflation data in focus

THE spectacular performance of Malaysian equities thus far this year in response to major developments locally and abroad may well be a prelude to even better days to follow, should the projections of fund managers and heads of research hold true.

The FBM KLCI and FBM Top 100 Index have...

Cover Story: 4 factors investors should watch in 4Q

MALAYSIA’s exports are likely to grow at a modest pace in 2025 following a rebound in April this year, as global growth remains stable. Economists say potential wild cards that may knock everything off course include the outcome of the US presidential election in November, China’s tackling of its...

The State of the Nation: Economists: Exports to stay moderately strong in 2025

IF history serves as a precursor for investors on what to expect for equity markets should the much-anticipated cutting of interest rates by the US Federal Reserve be initiated this Wednesday (Sept 18), fund managers are predicting the following — short-term volatility and opportunities for accum...

Staying invested in coming months, amid market volatility, say fund managers

Taiwan’s financial regulator is reviewing some of its current rules and practices, amid criticism from local banks and insurers on the inconsistency and over-complication of its governance, according to people familiar with the matter.

Taiwan weighing financial inspection rule easing to lure investors — Bloomberg

Tokyo Metro's shares shot up 45% in their market debut on Wednesday after Japan's largest initial public offering (IPO) in six years bagged it US$2.3 billion (RM9.99 billion) with the lure of sizeable dividends.

Tokyo Metro on market fast track with 45% jump in debut

Jio Financial Services Ltd, controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has held talks with Allianz SE to set up an insurance partnership in India as the German firm seeks to scrap two existing joint ventures in the country, according to people familiar with the matter.

Ambani’s Jio in talks with Allianz for insurance JVs in India, Bloomberg reports

AXIS Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:AXREIT) — which is in the midst of a private placement to raise up to RM454.99 million, its largest ever — is planning to have a balance sheet headroom of RM1 billion, which it expects to make use of over the next two years for further growth.

Proce...

Axis REIT says placement will give it RM1b headroom 

Glomac Bhd (KL:GLOMAC) is currently in talks with respective parties to venture into the waste-to-energy business, as part of its plan to seek new sources of revenue, according to group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri FD Iskandar Mohamed Mansor.

Glomac in talks to venture into waste-to-energy business

Sabah-based construction outfit Azam Jaya Bhd, which is listing on Bursa Malaysia's Main Market at 78 sen per share, has a fair value of RM1.54 apiece, said TA Securities.

TA Securities ascribes RM1.54 fair value to Main Market-bound construction firm Azam Jaya

The separation of the Attorney-General (AG) office from the Public Prosecutor role will take some time, given the complexity and challenges of its implementation, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Wednesday.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said hopes an interim report on the status of the separation of the roles can be included in the empirical study related to the matter next year.

Separation of AG-Public Prosecutor roles will take some time — Azalina

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability is enhancing the regulatory framework for the mineral industry by actively developing the Third National Mineral Policy (DMN3).

Govt actively developing Third National Mineral Policy, says Nik Nazmi

Singapore’s core inflation remained elevated in September, driven by healthcare and education, suggesting that price pressures are still sticky and underscoring the need for monetary policy to remain tight for now.

Singapore's core inflation supports tight policy stance

The government is expanding technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to ensure Malaysia’s workforce is equipped to handle advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (Al) and robotics, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Govt expanding TVET to prepare workforce for advanced technologies — PM

Shopping malls under Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:PAVREIT) and KLCC Stapled Group (KL:KLCC) still reign supreme in the luxury market even after The Exchange TRX Mall opened to much fanfare, said Kenanga Investment Bank.

Pavilion, KLCC still reign supreme in luxury shopping as TRX Mall fails to stir market — Kenanga

Three companies had met all the requirements to participate in the online bidding on June 16, 2024 for a pilot project to supply renewable energy (RE) across borders to Singapore via Energy Exchange Malaysia (ENEGEM).

The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) said that two Singaporean companies were successful in their bid to secure 100 megawatts (MW) of green electricity, with cross-border supply agreements currently being finalised.

Three companies qualify for online bid to supply renewable energy

Analysts have raised their earnings forecasts and target prices (TPs) after Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) grew its order book to RM28.7 billion after securing a NT$32 billion (RM4.3 billion) contract for the Xizhi Donghu Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project in Taiwan.

Gamuda boosts order book to RM28.7b with Taiwan MRT win, analysts raise earnings forecasts

HSBC Holdings plc’s new chief executive officer just unveiled the biggest overhaul of the company in at least a decade, but it was missing some key details for employees and investors.

HSBC revamp by new CEO Elhedery stumps staffers, investors alike

Gold prices jumped to record high and the dollar was on the rise again on Wednesday, keeping the pressure on the yen and the euro, while stocks in Asia stuttered as investors were reluctant to place major bets ahead of a hotly contested US election.

Stocks stumble, dollar and gold rise as traders weigh US rates, election

A group of investors and creditors led by a businesswoman have applied to the High Court here for a stay of a court mandated meeting for ACE Credit Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of ACE Holdings Bhd.

Investors, creditors want to halt court-convened meeting of ACE Credit

Stocks struggled in late hours after downbeat news from some key American companies, with traders also mulling prospects for a slower pace of Federal Reserve rate cuts.

A US$600 billion exchange-traded fund tracking the S&amp;P 500 (SPY) wavered after the close of regular trading.

US stocks struggle in late hours as McDonald’s slumps

A total of 7,400 companies have adopted the e-invoice system, with 58 million e-invoices issued as of Oct 14, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

This reflects the positive reception among companies in complying with the implementation of e-invoicing, the ministry said.

7,400 companies using e-invoice system, 58 mil e-invoices issued as at Oct 14 — MOF

Even if it is against the state's interest, the land title for the Duta enclave — the 263.27-acre (106.54-hectare) land in Mukim Batu that currently hoses various government complexes and facilities — has to be transferred back to Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd as it is the right thing to do, according to the High Court judge who directed that the deed be done.

Duta enclave land title has to be restored to Semantan Estate as it's the right thing to do, says judge

In April, sovereign fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd announced RM1 billion in ‘national fund-of-funds’ initiatives at the KL20 Summit to support local venture capital funds and attract international managers. With the increased interest from both domestic and foreign investors in Malaysia’s start-up ecosystem, a crucial question arises: Are there enough investment- or IPO-ready private companies in the country?

Are Malaysian private companies investment-ready?

The glove industry is poised for a positive outlook despite cost pressures brought on by measures in Budget 2025, said CIMB Securities in a statement on Wednesday.

CIMB positive glove industry can pass on cost increases to consumers

The government is in the process of finalising sustainable development guidelines for data centres, which will become one of the conditions for applying for government incentives.

Guidelines on data centres' usage of power and water to become a requirement for incentives — Zafrul

Palm oil — the world’s most widely used vegetable oil — rallied to the highest level in more than two years as supply woes persist, rekindling concerns about rising consumer food costs.

Futures surged as much as 2.6% in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to RM4,500 a metric ton, the highest since July 2022. That extends this year’s rally to more than 20% amid tight supplies in the biggest growers and strong demand for some other edible oils.

Palm oil reaches highest since 2022, adding to food price risks

Malaysia is considering placing hotels under federal regulations, as their operations currently fall under the jurisdiction of state governments, the tourism minister said on Wednesday.

Malaysia could place hotels under federal regulations — tourism minister

&nbsp;Top financial regulators around the globe are voicing concern about private credit valuations, whether lenders are hiding troubled loans, and the deep entanglement between private markets and insurance money.&nbsp;

“Valuation risks are where we see a core issue,” Andrew Dean, the co-chief of the Division of Enforcement Asset Management at the US Securities and Exchange Commission, said.

Top regulators call out valuation risks in private credit

Japan’s 40-year government bond yield climbed to its highest level in 16 years amid growing speculation that the nation’s central bank will push ahead with interest rate increases in coming months.

Japan’s 40-year yield rises to highest since 2008 on BOJ outlook

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the US election is creating “high uncertainty” for markets and policymakers, given the sharply divergent trade priorities of the candidates.

US election creates ‘high uncertainty’ for fragile markets, IMF says

Arm Holdings plc is cancelling a licence that allowed longtime partner Qualcomm Inc to use Arm intellectual property to design chips, escalating a legal dispute over vital smartphone technology.

Arm to cancel Qualcomm chip design licence in escalation of feud

The government is taking proactive steps to ensure that the construction industry remains competitive and sustainable, amid expectations of rising tender prices, said&nbsp;Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Govt to ensure construction sector stays competitive, sustainable — PM

Bankrupt Tupperware Brands agreed on Tuesday to sell its business to a group of lenders for US$23.5 million (RM101.99 million) in cash and over US$63 million in debt relief, cancelling its plans for an open-market auction of its assets.

Cheryl Poo

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

Cheryl Poo

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌