TOKYO (Nov 2): Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Monday that Tokyo and Washington would remain closely aligned on currency policy objectives regardless of the outcome of the US midterm elections.

Japan sees no change in US FX coordination after midterm elections, Katayama says

TOKYO (Oct 30): The Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept interest rates steady on Friday, but declared victory in a nearly 14-year battle to hit its price target and signalled vigilance against inflation risks, suggesting the next rate hike could be as soon as December.

BOJ declares victory in hitting price target, signals near-term hikes

Japan's largest labour union group Rengo unveiled a more ambitious wage bargaining policy for next year's annual labour negotiations on Thursday, setting a target centred at a pay hike of 6% while maintaining a minimum benchmark of 5% or more.

Japan's biggest labour group seeks midpoint target of 6% for 2027 wage increase talks

Japan will invest up to US$21 billion (RM85.7 billion) in two chip factories in New York state that will be jointly owned by the US government and Japanese interests and operated by GlobalFoundries, the company said on Wednesday.

Japan to invest up to US$21b in two US chip factories to be run by GlobalFoundries

TOKYO (Oct 1): Japanese manufacturers' confidence hit an eight-year high over July-September but non-manufacturers' mood soured, a central bank survey showed, painting a mixed picture of the economy that may soften the chance of a back-to-back rate hike this month.

Japan's patchy business mood takes pressure off BOJ for immediate hike

Japan's top currency diplomat Atsushi Mimura said on Monday markets should take at face value the "very clear" message Tokyo and Washington delivered last week on the yen, signalling his resolve to act against excessive falls in the currency.

Japan top FX diplomat urges markets to heed 'very clear' warning on yen

TOKYO (Sept 25): US President Donald Trump raised concern about yen weakness during a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said, offering an unusually detailed account of the leaders' talks on currencies.

Japan says Trump voiced concern over weak yen in summit with PM Takaichi

TOKYO (Sept 24): Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Thursday that the principles underpinning the coordinated Japan-US currency intervention in July remain in place, signalling Tokyo's readiness to take joint action again if needed.

Japan's Katayama says principles of Japan-US FX intervention remain in place

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi vowed to fast-track policies to boost growth after retaining her key ministers in a cabinet reshuffle, including reflationist ally Minoru Kiuchi as economy minister, signalling her determination to implement her big spending plans.

Japan PM retains economy minister in cabinet reshuffle, vows to speed up spending plans

Japan posted its largest increase in imports in nearly four years in August as higher oil prices lifted energy costs, while exports rose for a 12th month on resilient semiconductor-related demand, government data showed on Wednesday.

Japan August imports jump as oil prices lift costs, exports stay firm

Ferrari on Tuesday raised forecasts for this year's results after beating consensus on core profit and revenue in the third quarter, sending shares in the Italian luxury sports car maker up as much as 4.7%.

Ferrari lifts forecasts after outperformance, Luce EV demand strong

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he made a deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington would stop US$4 billion (RM16.3 billion) in funding to Israel after the end of this year.

Trump says US will stop US$4b in funding to Israel at end of 2026

Gold prices ticked up on Tuesday as a decline in oil prices slightly eased inflation concerns, while investors awaited the outcome of US midterm elections for fiscal policy clues.

Gold edges higher on softer oil prices; US midterms in focus

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

IOI Properties, IOIPG REIT, Tenaga Nasional, GDB, TWL, HB Global, Malakoff, Orkim, Pertama Digital, MMCS, Asdion, Pekat, Theta Edge, ES Sunlogy

Fiserv has cut its employee and contractor base by 3,000 since June, including a reduction of senior management by more than 10%, CEO Takis Georgakopoulo said on an earnings call on Tuesday.

Fiserv cuts 3,000 employees and contractor jobs under new CEO

Honda Motor Co Ltd’s European chief said the Japanese carmaker may rebuild a manufacturing presence in the region, depending on the final outcome of new rules in the European Union that will favour locally made cars.

Honda weighs restarting EU car output as new rules take shape

Americans voted on Tuesday in pivotal midterm elections with Democrats hoping to seize control of Congress and impose the first significant checks on Donald Trump's chaotic second term in the White House.

Americans vote in midterms set to upend Trump presidency

Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons (Community) Hafidz Othman has been appointed the new cmmissioner general of prisons, effective Nov 5, the Prisons Department said.

Hafidz Othman appointed new commissioner general of prisons

Datuk Ng Chee Siong has been appointed executive director of ready-to-serve food company HB Global Ltd (KL:HBGLOB), while the company’s chief financial officer (CFO), Lim Yong Hwa, has resigned amid a delay in issuing its 2025 annual report.

HB Global appoints Ng Chee Siong as executive director as CFO exits amid annual report delay

Sugar slid at the open on Tuesday after data showed Indian production is running well ahead of last season following an earlier start to the harvest. Profit-taking also added to the slide.

Sugar falls as Indian output data signal less need to import

<div class="content-side-bar-box">
Summary

•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;654 buyers of 8 Conlay units face a vote within days on a RM700 million rehabilitation that would restart construction, wipe out LAD and end the Kempinski brand

<p...

Light at the end of the tunnel for KL’s 8 Conlay?

PUTRAJAYA (Nov 3): A three-member Court of Appeal bench on Tuesday allowed lawyer Mahajoth Singh’s appeal to have the merits of his judicial review challenge against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) heard.

Albert Tei’s lawyer wins appeal to have MACC challenge heard

Malaysian retailers have warned of an "existential threat" posed by foreign e-commerce in an appeal to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).&nbsp;

Malaysian retailers warn of 'existential threat' posed by foreign e-commerce in appeal to MOF

PUTRAJAYA (Nov 3): A three-member Court of Appeal bench has deferred the hearing of the final appeal by a former magistrate who was convicted of six counts of graft and sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined a total of RM1.05 million.

Court of Appeal defers former magistrate’s final graft appeal over lawyer’s lack of preparation

The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has audited and investigated a total of 408,726 cases throughout this year, resulting in additional tax assessments amounting to about RM7.7 billion.

IRB: RM7.7 bil in additional assessments discovered after auditing 408,726 cases

Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke maintained his decision to step down once home confinement for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak begins, Nikkei Asia reported on Tuesday.

DAP’s Loke still plans to quit Cabinet, says projects safe — report

Monies totalling RM14 billion in Malaysia are unclaimed as of September this year, as most of the beneficiaries are unaware what is owed to them or delay making claims.

About RM14b unclaimed as owners unaware or delay making claims  

Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will submit a representation to drop the charge of uttering seditious words during the Nenggiri State Legislative Assembly by-election campaign in 2024, after the Pahang Ruler granted him an audience last week.

Muhyiddin to seek withdrawal of sedition charge in 'positive development' with Pahang Palace

The High Court has struck out the late Tun Daim Zainuddin's family&nbsp;suit challenging the police investigations against them for allegedly committing activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

Court strikes out late Daim’s family legal bid against PM, IGP over allegations to topple govt

<div class="content-side-bar-box">
Summary

•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Eng Lian group has proposed to take Toyo Ventures private via selective capital reduction (SCR) and repayment scheme at 28 sen per share

•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Toy...

Eng Lian’s costly energy bet on Toyo Ventures ends in 28 sen buyout

IOI Properties Group Bhd (KL:IOIPG) is looking to launch a private real estate fund for its Singapore assets in the next few months.

IOI Properties to launch Singapore private fund in next few months, secondary listing in early 2027

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) has teamed up with IOI Corporation Bhd (KL:IOICORP) and a consortium of 12 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop a 500MW solar power project in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan.

Tenaga, IOI Corp, SME consortium to develop 500MW solar project in Negeri Sembilan

<h3>Malaysian REITs</h3>

OVERWEIGHT

RHB INVESTMENT BANK (OCT 20): We continue to like the M-REITs sector for its defensive qualities, with underlying fundamentals still healthy d...

Brokers Digest: Local Equities - Malaysian REITs, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Gamuda Bhd, Mr DIY Group (M) Bhd

Malaysian energy stocks hit a two-week low on Tuesday as oil prices slumped amid news reports of a potential US-Iran peace deal.

Malaysian energy stocks hit two-week low as oil prices slump

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3): GDB Holdings Bhd (KL:GDB) on Tuesday said it has secured a construction contract worth RM877 million to demolish an existing factory and build a two-block, five-storey logistics hub in Seksyen 15, Shah Alam.

GDB bags RM877m construction job to build logistics hub in Shah Alam

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday that investigations into two failed gas pipeline projects involving a participation loan from the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) remain&nbsp;open despite difficulties obtaining information involving both countries.&nbsp;

Probes into two failed gas pipeline projects remain open despite difficulties obtaining information — PM

<h2>Notable filings</h2>

Between Oct 12 and 16, notable changes in shareholding among companies traded on Bursa Malaysia included those at plantation counter United Malacca Bhd (KL:UMCCA).

The Tee family vehicle, Prosper Trading Sdn Bhd, acquired 28.19 million United...

Insider Moves: United Malacca Bhd, Turiya Bhd, Foodie Media Bhd, AMMB Holdings Bhd, Malakoff Corp Bhd 

The High Court on Tuesday ordered the federal government to file its reply to the latest suit filed by Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd last month where it sought to compel the government to sell the Duta enclave land and hand over its proceeds.

Govt asked to reply to Semantan Estate’s suit wanting sale of land by Jan 4

US chipmaking giant Nvidia is ordering its data centre partners to scale back work with Chinese customers, the Financial Times&nbsp;(FT) reported on Tuesday.

Nvidia ordering data centre clients to reduce China exposure — FT

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3): Malaysia has decided not to extradite independent preacher Dr Zakir Naik to India and has made no commitment to do so, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Tuesday.

Makiko Yamazaki

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