HONG KONG/LONDON (Feb 22): HSBC Holdings plc boosted its overall bonus pool by almost a third to US$3.5 billion in part to retain staff, the latest example of how an industry-wide race for talent is pushing up costs.

"2021 was characterised by a sharp economic rebound and an extraordina...

HSBC boosts bonuses 31% in 'extraordinarily competitive' market

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 former Johor exco Datuk Abd Latif Bandi and real estate agent Amir Shariffuddin

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) marks a historic milestone in Malaysia-Singapore relations, aiming to create a seamless economic corridor between the two nations, encompassing key districts in Johor including Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Pasir Gudang, Pontian, Kulai, and Kota Tinggi. The JS-SEZ is strategically positioned to enhance cross-border trade, investment, and innovation.

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone as a regional growth catalyst

IF a 6.3% dividend from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for 2024 did not provide enough “feel good” factor this side of the Causeway, the positive vibe probably went up after a Singaporean personal wealth mentor said Malaysians are “sitting on a gold mine called the EPF” with “insanely high” r...

Look beyond EPF’s dividend rates when comparing with Singapore’s CPF 

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.

Cuckoo International sees double-digit growth in product rental income as offerings expand

KUALA LUMPUR (March 26): The High Court here has ordered the Selangor government to hand over three key impact assessment reports of the controversial Petaling Jaya Dispersal (PJD) Link project to four Petaling Jaya residents within a month, granting the residents’ judicial review bid in part.

Selangor govt ordered to hand over PJD Link impact assessment reports to PJ residents within a month

The eternal joust between Liverpool and Manchester United is football’s uncontrollable peat fire: never extinguished and able to flare up again when least expected. After reaffirming their ascendancy this season, Liverpool ignored the Ides of March to crash and burn, while United kindled hopes of ending it in a blaze of glory.

Business Of Sports: United rekindle the eternal joust, but Liverpool still blaze the trail

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

Solarvest secures RM103m EPCC contract from Penang Development Corp unit

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

(March 26): Bank of India has raised US$400 million (RM1.77 billion) via a dollar syndicated loan, according to people familiar with the matter, marking its first such deal since 2012 that expands a list of the country’s borrowers tapping global credit markets.

Bank of India’s first dollar loan in over a decade woos 22 banks — Bloomberg

The International Monetary Fund is poised to disburse about US$2 billion (RM8.85 billion) to Pakistan in two separate loans, in a show of confidence by the global lender in the government’s economic reforms to rebuild the fragile South Asian economy.

IMF gives initial approval for US$2 bil in loans for Pakistan

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

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

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

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

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

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

(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

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.

&nbsp;

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

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

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

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

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

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/KYIV (March 25): The United States reached separate deals on Tuesday with Ukraine and&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;to pause their attacks at sea and against energy targets, with Washington agreeing to push to lift some sanctions against Moscow.

Russia, Ukraine agree to sea, energy truce; Washington seeks easing of sanctions

Asian stocks posted modest gains on Wednesday as investors search for a clear direction amid weaker US consumer confidence and a late rally in US equities.

Asian stocks edge up as traders seek new direction

Chemlite Innovation Bhd (KL:CLITE), the latest in a string of listings to have seen first-day dips in share price, is unfazed by its weak debut, preferring to focus on expanding its business and improving efficiency for long-term value.

Chemlite unfazed by ACE Market debut dip, focused on long-term value creation

(March 26):&nbsp;The US cancelled two aid projects in Cambodia in late February — one to encourage child literacy and another to improve nutrition and development for kids under five. A week later, China’s aid agency announced funding for programmes to achieve almost identical goals.

Denise Wee & Harry Wilson