MIDF Research said the recent selldown of data centre-linked construction stocks may have been overdone as it sees the US’ AI chip export restrictions having minimal impact on data centre operations here.

In a note, MIDF Research said this prompted its upgrade on Sunway Construction Group Berhad (KL:SUNCON) to a “buy”, from “neutral”.

MIDF says selldown on data centre-related stocks overdone, upgrades SunCon

FSBM Holdings Bhd (KL:FSBM) entered into a strategic partnership with Synergies Intelligent Systems Inc and Zhong Yang Technology Co Ltd to launch a new platform aimed at “revolutionising procurement” in the fabricated metal industry.

FSBM and partners to launch AI-powered metal procurement platform

Oil and gas pipes supplier Saliran Group Bhd has entered into an underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities, in conjunction with its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

Saliran Group inks underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities for ACE Market IPO

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Aluminium smelting and extrusion facility, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd’s (KL:PMETAL) fourth quarterly earnings are expected to come in a range of RM375 million to RM400 million, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB).

Press Metal’s 4Q earnings to be boosted by associate PT Bintan’s contribution amid high alumina prices, says HLIB

Ancom Nylex Bhd (KL:ANCOMNY) will likely improve its earnings as the exchange rate stabilises, analysts said, following the agrochemical company’s weaker than expected quarter.

Ancom Nylex's earnings to improve in following quarters, analysts say after disappointing 2Q

The long-awaited transformation of Johor into a key investment hub is “finally happening” after a couple of “false dawns”, says Jefferies.

In a note on Friday, the rapid development of the data centre industry, coupled with strategic infrastructure projects, is now placing Malaysia back on the radar of dedicated emerging market (EM) investors.

Malaysia back on EM investors’ radar on data centre play, and as Johor story is 'finally happening', says Jefferies

Hong Leong Bank Bhd (KL:HLBANK) said on Friday it has signed an agreement to cooperate with WeBank Technology Services, a subsidiary of WeBank, China's largest digital bank.

Hong Leong Bank to work with China's WeBank Technology Services on fintech, AI

The potential implementation of export limitations by the US government on artificial intelligence (AI) chips is not expected to impact the operations of existing data centres in Malaysia, according to deputy minister of investment, trade and industry (Miti) Liew Chin Tong.

Malaysia's data centres unaffected by US AI chip export restrictions, says deputy Miti minister

Despite incoming US President Donald Trump's pledge to impose sweeping 60% tariffs on all Chinese imports, the implementation is likely to be far less drastic, according to Affin Bank’s chief economist Alan Tan Chew Leong.

Impact of Trump's proposed tariffs on Chinese imports likely to be less severe than feared for region — Affin Bank

Affin Bank Bhd's (KL:AFFIN) ambitious branch expansion plan is expected to keep its cost-to-income ratio (CIR) elevated for the next few years, according to CGS International, which is reiterating its 'reduce' recommendation on the bank.

Affin Bank's expansion plan will keep costs high for next few years, says CGS

South Korea is dusting off a tool last used 21 years ago to help stabilise its currency: issuing up to 20 trillion won (US$13.9 billion or RM61.6 billion) in special bonds.

Korea augments FX war chest with first won bond in 21 years

DAVOS, Switzerland (Jan 22): As the chairman of Asean this year, Malaysia aims to prioritise energy and connectivity with a focus on building trust and inclusivity among member countries, as well as engage constructively with major global powers, while safeguarding the bloc’s independence.

PM: Malaysia to prioritise energy, connectivity and bloc’s independence as Asean chair

China announced plans on Thursday to channel hundreds of billions of yuan annually into shares from state-owned insurers, in the authorities' latest effort to support equity markets.

China to guide billions of dollars of insurance money into stocks

A new wildfire that broke out north of Los Angeles on Wednesday rapidly spread to more than 9,400 acres (38 square km), fueled by strong winds and dry brush, forcing mandatory evacuation orders for more than 31,000 people.

New wildfire near Los Angeles explodes to 9,400 acres, forces evacuations

Asia shares rose on Thursday, helped by a jump in their Chinese counterparts on Beijing's latest measures to shore up its crumbling stock market, while elsewhere, investors continued to have their eyes on US President Donald Trump's policy plans.

Asian shares helped by China uplift, Trump's tariff plans hang in the air 

(Jan 23): Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told President Donald Trump that the kingdom wants to put US$600 billion (RM2.66 trillion) into expanded investment and trade with the United States over the next four years, the Saudi state news agency said early on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia plans US$600 bil in new US investment, trade over four years

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticised Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilising” actions in the South China Sea in his early days in office, while reaffirming Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to defend the Philippines.

Rubio slams China, vows ‘ironclad’ defence for Philippines 

WASHINGTON (Jan 22): President Donald Trump's administration has directed US prosecutors to criminally probe local officials who resist immigration enforcement efforts, intensifying a sweeping crackdown that Trump launched the day he took office.

Trump steps up immigration crackdown, warns city, state officials against interference

OpenAI and Japanese conglomerate SoftBank will each commit US$19 billion to fund Stargate, a joint venture to develop data centres for artificial intelligence in the US, the Information reported on Wednesday.

OpenAI, SoftBank each commit US$19b to Stargate AI data centre — report

BENGALURU (Jan 22): New Fortress Energy said on Wednesday that it signed an agreement with Energiza to supply natural gas to a 478-megawatt combined-cycle power plant being developed in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

New Fortress Energy signs gas supply agreement with Energiza

Oriental Kopi Holdings Bhd (KL:KOPI) surged more than 70% during its trading debut on Thursday, following strong demand for the café chain operator’s initial public offering (IPO).

Oriental Kopi hits opening gong with 71% premium on ACE Market debut

Elon Musk openly questioned whether companies that joined President Donald Trump’s announcement promising hundreds of billions of dollars in artificial intelligence infrastructure could follow through on their promises, exposing an early internal rift within the White House.

Musk and Altman spar over US$100b AI venture hyped by Trump

CNN, a unit of Warner Bros Discovery, plans to lay off hundreds of employees on Thursday, as it refocuses the business around a global digital audience, CNBC reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

CNN and NBC News to lay off employees — report

Crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed lower on Wednesday, weighed down by concerns over weakening demand from India due to cheaper alternatives, a trader said.

CPO futures close lower on concerns over weakening demand from India

Six individuals have been arrested and goods worth RM113 million confiscated in police raids on seven company premises in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur suspected of smuggling iron and metal products from abroad.

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said those detained in the raids on Jan 17 comprised two local men, one local woman and three foreign men, aged between 33 and 50.

Police arrest six, RM113 mil worth of iron products seized in anti-smuggling raids

One of the world’s biggest crop traders has halted loading of grain vessels at US Gulf terminals as the region’s worst snowstorm in 130 years slams the region.

Crop trader declares force majeure along US Gulf during rare southern snow

Asia shares rose on Thursday, helped by a jump in their Chinese counterparts on Beijing's latest measures to shore up its crumbling stock market, while elsewhere, investors continued to have their eyes on US President Donald Trump's policy plans.

South Korea's SK Hynix forecast sales of its high-end semiconductors used in generative artificial intelligence chipsets would double this year after reporting a record quarterly profit that surpassed its bigger rival Samsung.

SK Hynix posts record quarterly profit, surpassing Samsung on AI boom 

Samsung Electronics Wednesday unveiled its newest Galaxy S25 smartphones, powered by Qualcomm's chips and Google's artificial-intelligence model, hoping its upgraded AI features can reinvigorate sales and fend off Apple and Chinese rivals.

Samsung unveils AI smartphones with Qualcomm chips, teases slimmer Galaxy phones

More than half of American businesses in China, the highest level in five years, say they are concerned about a further deterioration in the bilateral relationship between the world's two largest economies, a survey published on Thursday showed

American firms in China fearful of US-China trade turmoil at five-year high, survey shows

E-commerce giant Amazon.com is exiting its operations in the Canadian province of Quebec, leading to the loss of about 1,700 full-time jobs, the company said on Wednesday, prompting Ottawa to express its unhappiness.

Amazon exits Quebec operations, to cut about 1,700 jobs; Ottawa unhappy

(Jan 23):&nbsp;Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told President Donald Trump that the kingdom wants to put US$600 billion (RM2.66 trillion)&nbsp;into expanded investment and trade with the United States over the next four years, the Saudi state news agency said early on Thursday.

The yield gap between Singapore’s ultra-long bonds versus treasuries is expected to expand from already-record levels as the nations’ debt supplies continue to diverge.

Singapore’s record yield gap with US set to widen on debt supply

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) crippled a vape smuggling syndicate operating at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Cargo Centre; its activities resulted in an estimated RM8 million tax loss.

MACC busts KLIA vape smuggling syndicate, 14 arrested, RM8 million unpaid taxes

Asean is progressing cautiously on Myanmar as it is critical to secure peace in the country, said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said Asean’s approach is not about enforcing a particular system but ensuring inclusivity and peace as well as the importance of participatory democracy.

Asean takes cautious approach on Myanmar, critical to secure peace — Anwar

When President Donald Trump joined tech executives on Tuesday to tout a multi-billion-dollar artificial intelligence project led in part by OpenAI, one question sprang to mind: Where’s Microsoft Corp?

Microsoft poised to benefit from Stargate JV with zero money

The increase in allocation for the Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) to RM10 million this year underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening trade unions in the country, say union leaders.

Union of Pos Malaysia Bhd Uniformed Staff Peninsular Malaysia (UPUS) president Ismail Ali described the allocation as the highest to date and said it would help produce quality leaders for the future.

Trade unions welcome enhanced govt funding for leadership training and development

Johnson &amp; Johnson, fresh off a US$14.6 billion (RM65.38 billion) deal to buy neurological drugmaker Intra-Cellular, reported fourth-quarter (4Q) revenues and profit above Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, driven by strong sales of its cancer treatments.

J&amp;J has been on an acquisition spree to boost its drugs and device businesses after spinning off its consumer unit in 2023.

J&J beats quarterly sales and profit estimates on cancer drug sales

Sustainability can sometimes be seen as a concept only achievable by those with resources, but it can also be practised by smallholders and bring about financial benefits, according to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

According to RSPO, 85% of oil palm plantation owners ar...

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