Globalisation and industrialisation have made major cities a magnet for talent and a driver of economic growth. The resultant rapid migration, however, has put immense pressure on urban infrastructure, with public authorities having to look for ways to make cities more effective and efficient.

IoT: Building blocks for smart cities

MN Holdings Bhd's (KL:MNHLDG) contract wins and financial performance in its current financial year are expected to hit a new record, supported by strong order book and record-breaking tender prospects, said Phillip Capital.

“We believe MN is on track for FY2025 (financial year ending June 30, 2025) surpassing FY2024 new contract wins of RM349 million,” said Phillip Capital in its latest company note.

Phillip Capital sees record earnings, contract wins for MN Holdings in FY2025

Asian stocks were mixed on Thursday, in the wake of record peaks on Wall Street, as a softer read of US services data boosted investor confidence in the US Federal Reserve (Fed) lowering interest rates.

Asian stocks mixed after record peaks on Wall Street

Bitcoin rose above US$100,000 for the first time on Thursday as the election of Republican Donald Trump as president of the United States spurred expectations that his administration will create a friendly regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin tops US$100,000 on optimism over Trump crypto plans

Shares of cash-rich Apollo Food Holdings Bhd (KL:APOLLO) soared in early trading on Thursday, after it declared a 30 sen dividend following improved second-quarter results.

Apollo shares rise on dividend following stronger 2Q

The government has no intention of introducing any new tax in the near future, according to the Finance Ministry (MOF).

The ministry said the government’s present focus is on increasing compliance and improving the existing tax system as well as implementing tax measures that have already been announced in Budget 2025.

Govt has no plan to introduce new taxes in the near future — Finance Ministry

The value added gross domestic product (GDP) for the manufacturing sector increased to RM97.4 billion in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, said the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

The ministry said the amount showed an increase of 5.5% or RM5.1 billion from the RM92.3 billion recorded last year.

Value added GDP of manufacturing sector increases 5.5% to RM97.4 bil in third quarter of 2024 — MITI

The electrical and electronics (E&E) segment has recorded the highest realised investment performance of RM4.8 billion during the period from January to June 2024, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

The ministry said the investment performance was equivalent to 69.5% of the investment value realised for the manufacturing sector which recorded a total of RM9 billion manufacturing projects realised in the same period.

E&E segment records realised investments of RM4.8 bil as of June 2024

FashionValet Sdn Bhd co-founders Datuk Fadzarudin Shah Anuar and Datin Vivy Sofinas Yusof claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Thursday to a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM8 million.

FashionValet co-founders claim trial to criminal breach of trust charge

Prolonged global supply chain disruptions in recent years have in no uncertain terms laid bare that logistics can cause immense disruption. Due to Asia's high growth prospects, these supply chain bottlenecks could derail the potential of the various national economies throughout the continent.

How can Malaysia’s supply chains withstand unprecedented disruption?

Supermax Corporation Bhd (KL:SUPERMX) shares gained in early trade on Thursday, mostly due to an improved outlook and earnings potential of the company's US facility, amid recent efforts to boost glove production there.

Supermax gains on earnings potential of US facility amid efforts to boost glove production

Genting Bhd (KL:GENTING) and Genting Malaysia Bhd (KL:GENM) are likely to be removed from the 30-stock FTSE Bursa Malaysia (FBM) KLCI in the latest review of the benchmark index that will be announced on Thursday, according to sources.

Genting, Genting Malaysia to be dropped from FBM KLCI — sources

Retailer Eco-Shop Marketing Bhd, which operates 320 discount stores nationwide, is planning to float its shares on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia to raise funds for business expansion, according to its draft prospectus filed with the Securities Commission Malaysia.

Creador-backed discount store retailer Eco-Shop eyes Main Market listing, plans to float 862 mil shares

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

Capital A, Superlon, Focus Dynamics, Uzma, UEM Sunrise, Mulpha, Central Global, Apollo Food, TMC Life Sciences, Sentoria, Binasat

FashionValet Sdn Bhd co-founders Datuk Fadzarudin Shah Anuar and Datin Vivy Sofinas Yusof&nbsp;claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Thursday to a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM8 million.

Supermax Corporation Bhd (KL:SUPERMX) shares gained in early trade on Thursday, mostly due to an improved outlook and&nbsp;earnings potential of the company's US facility, amid recent efforts to boost glove production there.

Wall Street's main indexes climbed on Wednesday, with the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq touching record highs propelled by gains in technology stocks, while investors awaited comments from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell later in the day.

Tech rally drives S&P 500, Nasdaq to record highs; Powell comments in focus

Cropmate Bhd (KL:CRPMATE) jumped on its ACE Market debut on Thursday, after its initial public offering (IPO) raised some RM42 million&nbsp;mainly for the fertiliser company's operations and expansion plans.

Fertiliser company Cropmate jumps 22.5% on ACE Market debut

Asian stocks were mixed on Thursday, in the wake of record peaks on Wall Street, as a softer read of US&nbsp;services data boosted investor confidence in the US Federal Reserve (Fed) lowering interest rates.

Binasat Communications Bhd (KL:BINACOM) has proposed to undertake a private placement to finance the acquisition of several properties.

Binasat plans private placement to finance property acquisitions

Stocks hit all-time highs as US Federal Reserve (Fed) chair Jerome Powell said the economy is in remarkably good shape. The euro wavered as the French government fell after a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

US stocks hit record as Powell bullish on economy

Amazon Web Services Inc (AWS)&nbsp;announced on Wednesday that Southeast Asian super-app&nbsp;Grab Holdings Inc has chosen AWS as its preferred cloud provider to enhance operational efficiency across eight Asean countries.

Grab picks Amazon Web Services as cloud provider to drive growth and efficiency across Asean

Shares of&nbsp;cash-rich Apollo Food Holdings Bhd&nbsp;(KL:APOLLO) soared in early trading on Thursday, after it declared a 30 sen dividend following improved second-quarter results.

AstraZeneca plc has appointed Iskra Reic as executive vice-president of its international business, replacing Leon Wang who is under investigation by Chinese authorities.&nbsp;

AstraZeneca veteran replaces detained China executive Leon Wang

The South Korean won rebounded on Wednesday, posting the sharpest gains among emerging-market currencies, after President Yoon Suk Yeol rapidly reversed his martial law declaration. Traders were waiting on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks for clues on where US interest rates are headed.

South Korean won outperforms emerging peers before Powell remarks

A consortium seeking to buy out Hong Kong-listed ESR Group Ltd has submitted a binding offer for the logistics real estate firm, a move that would bring the months-long takeover pursuit one step closer to an end.

ESR gets US$7 bil binding takeover offer from buyout group

The ongoing flood situation in the country is among the key issues to be highlighted in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

According to the Order Paper, V&nbsp;Ganabatirau (Pakatan Harapan-Klang) will ask the minister of energy transition and water transformation whether the government is satisfied with the development of flood mitigation infrastructure and related investments.

Flood-related matters take centre stage in Dewan Rakyat today

The two-day Asean Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) Retreat 2025, which ends on Thursday, is a vital preparatory meeting aimed at updating outstanding issues from the previous Asean chairmanship.

Asean SEOM Retreat to understand outstanding issues from previous Asean chairmanship

US services activity expanded in November at the slowest pace in three months as demand and employment growth settled back, indicating the largest part of the economy is losing momentum.

US services activity expands at slowest pace in three months 

Prolonged global supply chain disruptions in recent years have in no uncertain terms laid bare that logistics can cause immense disruption. Due to Asia's high growth prospects, these supply chain bottlenecks could derail the potential of the various national economies throughout the continent.&nbsp;

The electrical and electronics (E&amp;E) segment has recorded the highest realised investment performance of RM4.8 billion during the period from January to June 2024, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

The ministry said the investment performance was equivalent to 69.5% of the investment value realised for the manufacturing sector which recorded a total of RM9 billion manufacturing projects realised in the same period.

Eynez Syazmeena and Pathma Subramaniam

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