A fresh bout of instability gripped the stock market as concern around the potential impacts of a trade war outweighed the latest housing and jobs data showing the world’s largest economy is still holding up.

US stocks halt Fed-fuelled rally as trade fear lingers

IT has been five years since the Covid-19 pandemic began, but health experts say Malaysia could struggle to effectively deal with any similar outbreaks unless investments in pandemic preparedness are made. If followed through, however, such investments could put a strain on government finances, a...

Special Report: Malaysia not ready for another pandemic, say health experts 

Special Report: Surviving a health crisis

MALAYSIA imposed a movement control order (MCO), or Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan, on March 18, 2020 — a week after the World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 outbreak a global pandemic. The measure was taken to curb the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19.

Initia...

Special Report: Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns: 5 years on

UK inflation unexpectedly cooled in February, strengthening the case for the Bank of England to cut interest rates again in May and providing a morale boost for Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves ahead of a key economic statement Wednesday.

UK inflation cools unexpectedly in boon for Reeves and rate cuts

A South Korean court has ruled that the country’s main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung did not violate election laws, overturning a lower court’s decision and bolstering his standing as a potential presidential front-runner.

South Korea court sides with opposition leader in election case

Five years have passed since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, marking the start of one of the most devastating health crises in modern history. The virus, which may have originated from bats in Wuhan, China, quickly spread worldwide, causing millions of deaths and overwhelming healthcare systems.

Special Report: The pandemic in numbers

Helix2, a serviced apartment development in PJS 5 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, is nearly fully sold and on track for completion in October.

Launched in October 2022 by Eupe Corp Bhd (KL:EUPE), Helix2 offers 500 units in a 34-storey building. There are six layouts with built-ups ranging f...

Helix2 97.2% taken up, on track for completion in 3Q2025

US tariffs on copper imports could be coming within several weeks, months earlier than the deadline for a decision, according to people familiar with the matter. Copper traded in New York rose to a record.

Trump may implement copper import tariffs within weeks 

(March 26): Global funds returning to India’s stock market amid a world-beating rally are having to set aside one of the biggest gripes expressed by investors like Muddy Waters Capital LLC founder Carson Block — namely the country’s high taxes.

India’s high taxes are a buzz-kill for likes of Carson Block

(March 26): A Tokyo court found a former judge guilty of insider trading in a verdict that comes amid a string of financial scandals at banks as well as the stock exchange.

The Tokyo District Court handed Soichiro Sato a suspended two-year prison sentence Wednesday for using confidentia...

Former Japanese judge found guilty in insider trading case

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Russia, Ukraine agree to sea, energy truce; Washington seeks easing of sanctions

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 Datuk Abd Latif Bandi and real estate agent Amir Shariffuddin

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

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.

Rita Nazareth & Isabelle Lee