MORNING CALL: 25/4/25

President Donald Trump said his administration was talking with China on trade, after Beijing denied the existence of negotiations on a deal and demanded the US revoke all unilateral tariffs.

“They had a meeting this morning,” Trump said Thursday during a meeting with Norway’s prime minister when a reporter asked about the Chinese statement.

Trump says US talking with China on trade after Beijing’s denial

Wall Street investors weighing the impacts of Donald Trump’s trade war on Corporate America sent stocks climbing amid bets the Federal Reserve could cut rates sooner than anticipated to prevent a recession.

The S&P 500 rose 2% to the highest since the day Trump announced his tariff offensive.

Stock rally powers on as Alphabet up in late hours

Wall Street's main indices jumped on Thursday, as investors welcomed a handful of positive corporate earnings and signs that the US was open to de-escalating its trade war with China.

Software firm ServiceNow and toymaker Hasbro topped the S&P 500, rising 14.8% and 15.7%, respectively, after both companies reported better-than-expected quarterly results.

Wall Street turns higher on earnings, signs of softer US tariff stance

(April 25): Orders placed with US factories for business equipment barely rose in March, suggesting firms are growing cautious amid uncertainty surrounding tariffs and tax policy.

The value of core capital goods orders, a proxy for investment in equipment excluding aircraft and military...

US capital goods orders barely rise amid caution over tariffs

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong began the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) election rally with a call for unity, urging voters not to let external forces or differing views on global issues divide the nation during the heat of the campaign.

Singapore GE2025: PM Wong calls for unity as PAP kicks off election rally

The Health Ministry (MOH) is offering 57,093 appointment slots for senior citizens with comorbidities to receive free influenza vaccinations.

The initiative, under the Influenza Immunisation Programme for Senior Citizens, is being implemented at 649 selected health clinics nationwide until the end of August.

Free influenza vaccines for senior citizens with comorbidities

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is ready to fully cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its investigation into two of its officers linked to false claims relating to the Command & Control, Communication & Computer Integration (C4i) system.

PDRM to fully cooperate with MACC's C4i false claims probe — IGP

Businesses across multiple industries are increasing prices, cutting financial guidance and warning of growing uncertainty as US President Donald Trump's trade war pushes up costs, up-ends supply chains and stirs concerns about the global economy.

Trump trade war spreads more gloom across businesses

PKR Youth deputy chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim has called on youths in the Ayer Kuning state constituency to participate in the democratic process by casting their votes in the by-election this Saturday.

PKR Youth deputy chief urges youths to vote in Ayer Kuning by-election

Magma Group Bhd (KL:MAGMA), which is primarily in hotel management and property development, announced the emergence of several new substantial shareholders on Thursday, including former national badminton player Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei.

Lee Chong Wei among Magma's newly emerged substantial shareholders after land deal

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

ViTrox, Unisem, Atlan, Luxchem, Pantech Global, Chin Hin, Ajiya, Binastra, Magma, IGB REIT, IGB Commercial REIT, Steel Hawk, Perdana Petroleum

Wall Street's main indices jumped on Thursday, as investors welcomed a handful of positive corporate earnings and signs that the US was open to de-escalating its trade war with China.

Software firm ServiceNow and toymaker Hasbro topped the S&amp;P 500, rising 14.8% and 15.7%, respectively, after both companies reported better-than-expected quarterly results.

Chin Hin Group Bhd (KL:CHINHIN) completed its purchase of an additional 12.27% stake in Ajiya Bhd (KL:AJIYA) for RM54.2 million, raising its stake in the building materials maker to 66.36%.

According to a bourse filing on Thursday, Chin Hin acquired the 37.38 million shares in a direct business transaction at RM1.45 apiece on Wednesday from major shareholder Yeo Ann Seck.

Chin Hin completes 12.27% stake buy in Ajiya for RM54.2 mil

Construction group Binastra Corporation Bhd (KL:BNASTRA) is buying a 40.8% stake in thermal energy firm LF Lansen Sdn Bhd for RM15 million cash — which comes with a call option for the group to up its interest to a controlling 51% — to expand into the energy-efficient engineering solutions sector.

Binastra buys 40.8% stake in thermal energy firm, with an eye on gaining controlling stake

The Health Ministry (MOH) is offering 57,093 appointment slots for senior citizens with comorbidities to receive free influenza vaccinations.

The initiative, under the Influenza Immunisation Programme for Senior Citizens, is being implemented at 649 selected health clinics nationwide until the end of August.

President Donald Trump said his administration was talking with China on trade, after Beijing denied the existence of negotiations on a deal and demanded the US revoke all unilateral tariffs.

“They had a meeting this morning,” Trump said Thursday during a meeting with Norway’s prime minister when a reporter asked about the Chinese statement.&nbsp;

Toyo Ventures Holdings Bhd (KL:TOYOVEN), which is disputing the termination of its Vietnam power plant project with the Vietnamese government in hopes of a resolution, announced on Thursday that the Export-Import Bank of Malaysia (EXIM Bank) is going to terminate its mandate as the exclusive lead arranger for project.

EXIM Bank pulls out as lead arranger for Toyo Ventures' Vietnam power plant

Perdana Petroleum Bhd (KL:PERDANA) said its wholly owned subsidiary Intra Oil Services Bhd (IOS) has been sued by Azsat Global Sdn Bhd, claiming RM6.7 million for loss of revenue after IOS terminated contracts for services of its vessels to Azsat.

Perdana Petroleum's unit sued over lost revenues after contract termination

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is ready to fully cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its investigation into two of its officers linked to false claims relating to the Command &amp; Control, Communication &amp; Computer Integration (C4i) system.

Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Bhd (KL:MGRC) announced on Thursday the redesignation of its managing director, Leong Yien Hung, to the role of executive chairman.

MGRC redesignates Leong Yien Hung to executive chairman

(April 25): Orders placed with US factories for business equipment barely rose in March, suggesting firms are growing cautious amid uncertainty surrounding tariffs and tax policy.

The value of core capital goods orders, a proxy for investment in equipment excluding aircraft and military...

Local tactical vehicle manufacturer Cendana Auto Sdn Bhd is set to begin production of various tactical vehicles for the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) under new contracts awarded by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef), starting as early as mid-year.

Cendana Auto to manufacture tactical vehicles for Malaysian Armed Forces under new defence contracts

Asean must urgently diversify its trade and investment relationships to strengthen resilience amid global uncertainty, said Senior Fellow at the Iseas — Yusof Ishak Institute, Dr Jayant Menon, during the FPCI Forum on Asean Community Building: Road to Asean Vision 2045 held here on Thursday.

Asean must diversify trade ties amid global uncertainty, says economist

Wall Street investors weighing the impacts of Donald Trump’s trade war on Corporate America sent stocks climbing amid bets the Federal Reserve could cut rates sooner than anticipated to prevent a recession.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 2% to the highest since the day Trump announced his&nbsp;tariff offensive.

Unilever Plc said Ben &amp; Jerry’s is “not for sale” and will remain a key brand in the consumer goods group’s soon-to-be spun off ice cream division.

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream not for sale, says Unilever CEO

Russia pounded Kyiv with missiles and drones overnight, killing at least 12 people in the biggest attack on the Ukrainian capital this year and drawing a rare rebuke from Donald Trump who told Vladimir Putin: "Vladimir, STOP!"

Trump tells Putin to 'STOP' after Russian attack kills 12 in Kyiv

Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller said firms may begin laying off more workers if aggressive tariff levels are reinstated by the Trump administration, and he’d support rate cuts in that scenario to protect the labour market.

Fed’s Waller says he’d support rate cuts if tariffs drive job losses

Many Asian central banks have room to ease monetary policy to cushion the blow to their economies from US tariffs, a senior International Monetary Fund official said on Thursday, after the fund cut its GDP estimates for the export-driven region.

Asian central banks have space to ease rates to mitigate US tariff hit, IMF says

Sales of previously owned US homes fell in March by the most since 2022 as buyers remained constrained by high mortgage rates and prices.

Contract closings decreased 5.9% last month to an annualised rate of 4.02 million, the weakest March since 2009, according to National Association of Realtors (NAR) figures released on Thursday.

Rebecca Choong Wilkins & Josh Xiao