LONDON (March 26): British finance minister Rachel Reeves is expected to announce cuts to her spending plans on Wednesday in a bid to reassure investors that she can be trusted to fix the public finances as growth falters.

With Britain's 2025 economic outlook set to be slashed - an...

Reeves prepares for tough UK budget update as growth slows

SINGAPORE (March 26): OCBC chief executive officer Helen Wong, having led the bank to another record year of earnings, received a slight pay hike for FY2024 ended Dec 31, 2024, with a total package of S$12.8 million (RM42.39 million), versus the S$12.1 million she had received for FY2023.

OCBC CEO Helen Wong’s FY2024 pay up 5.7% to S$12.8m

The Indonesian central bank said it is ready to intervene to stabilise the rupiah, which on Wednesday stayed close to its lowest levels since 1998 even as officials said market sentiment was positive and economic fundamentals were resilient.

Bank Indonesia says ready to stabilise rupiah, which is near 27-year low

Pop Mart International Group Ltd said it will continue to expand its global footprint with focus on North America and Europe, after reporting profit that more than doubled last year, thanks to the popularity of its Labubu dolls adored by celebrities.

Pop Mart profit more than doubles on Labubu-doll craze driven by celebrities

China is running a trade surplus that the world economy can’t “live with,” former US president Bill Clinton’s top trade official said, warning its exports would face new roadblocks without fixing the domestic causes fuelling the imbalances.

China’s trade surplus too big to accept, ex-top US official says

China's foreign ministry on Wednesday urged the United States to stop thinking of China through its own "hegemonic mentality," in response to the US calling China the top military and cyber threat.

China urges US to stop viewing China through 'hegemonic mentality'

SINGAPORE: In separate announcements on Monday (March 24), UMS Integration Ltd and Grand Venture Technology Ltd said they have received approval from the Securities Commission Malaysia for the proposed secondary listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia.

Singapore’s UMS, Grand Venture Tech receive approval from SC for secondary listing on Bursa Malaysia

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 ex-Johor exco, real estate agent

ON the evening of March 16, 2020, Malaysians tuned in to an unscheduled live broadcast by then prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. As he addressed the nation, the weight of an unprecedented crisis was palpable.

The movement control order (MCO) would begin on March 18 — a drastic me...

Special Report: Political drama amid the quarantine

FIVE years have passed since the Covid-19 pandemic rattled the world, with lockdowns starting in March 2020 that brought almost all economic activities to a standstill.

The unprecedented global health crisis triggered panic and equity routes. On March 19,  a day after the first mov...

Special Report: Penny stock fever rose as billions poured into market

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

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

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

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

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

(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

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

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

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

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.

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British Airways to restart daily flights to KL on April 2 after four-year hiatus

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.

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

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

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

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

Asian stocks followed Wall Street higher on Wednesday and the US dollar meandered as markets awaited clarity on President Donald Trump's trade policy ahead of a new round of tariffs next week.

Stocks gain, dollar drifts as traders ponder Trump tariff outlook

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.

Marcus Wong & Catherine Bosley