Cover Story: HLIB continues to rise steadily

FROM the very beginning, the sceptics had said the merger between Affin Investment Bank and HwangDBS Investment Bank would not work because of their different work cultures, recalls Affin Hwang Capital group managing director Maimoonah Hussain.   

“To our surprise, the merger ...

Cover Story: Affin Hwang Capital defies sceptics

WHILE others are cutting back on their expansion plans, RHB Investment Bank Bhd seems to be bucking the trend — it is looking to acquire an asset management business in Indonesia.

“We want to beef up certain businesses, such as asset management, and we’re looking at Indonesia. If we can...

Cover Story: RHB IB bucks trend with planned expansion

IN a challenging and frustratingly slow year for the country’s investment banks (IBs), many have been forced to re-look their strategies. Nevertheless, the IBs still see opportunities despite the competitive industry landscape.

An initial public offering (IPO)  drought — there have...

Cover Story: IBs brace for prolonged dry spell

THE aborted merger of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, RHB Capital Bhd and Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) has left many wondering  — what’s next for them? One of the topics that have emerged from the collapsed talks is the possibility of another suitor for RHB (fundamental: 1.5; valuation: 2.1...

What now after the failed mega merger?

(March 18): S&P Global Ratings cut its credit grade on Solera further into junk, as the Vista Equity Partners-backed software company struggles with a high debt load and negative cash flow.

S&P downgraded Solera’s ratings to CCC+ from B-, or seven steps into non-investment grade...

S&P cuts Vista-backed Solera’s credit rating further into junk

Oil prices rose slightly on Tuesday, supported by instability in the Middle East as well as China's stimulus plans and data, although global growth concerns, US tariffs and Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks curbed gains.

Oil gains on Mideast risks, China stimulus plan and data

2024 was a good year for Malaysia’s economy. The World Bank raised its growth forecast to 4.9%, a solid 14% jump from earlier projections. Growth surged beyond expectations, inflation remained moderate and investments boomed.

Unlocking new growth drivers: Services, subnational, sustainability

The recording of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s statement at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters over allegations of corruption and money laundering has been postponed to Wednesday.

MACC's questioning of Ismail Sabri postponed to tomorrow

When folk rock legend Bob Dylan made the clarion call to “writers and critics who prophesise with [the] pen” to keep their eyes wide open and not to speak too soon “for the times they are a-changin’”, global trade was not top on the list. Nevertheless, this exhortation which resonated more than h...

My Say: Asean’s future lies in its own hands

Gold prices scaled a record peak above the crucial US$3,000-mark on Tuesday for the second time within a week, as investors sought cover from economic concerns fuelled by US President Donald Trump's tariff policies.

Gold hits record high as tariff uncertainty fuels safe-haven demand

A trade war sparked by US President Donald Trump's tariffs may drive up global inflation, stoke market volatility and slow economic growth, the CEOs of two top Australian banks said on Tuesday, but added Australia was insulated from the disruption.

Australian bank CEOs say Trump 'tariff madness' may drive up global inflation

With decades of governance experience across various levels, Gobind Singh Deo steps into his new role as national chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) at a pivotal time in Malaysia’s political landscape.

Gobind takes helm of DAP, carrying forward father’s legacy

Hong Kong shares rose to three-year highs and led Asian markets higher on Tuesday, as investors turn positive on the outlook for the world's second-biggest economy and cheered recent data and promises to further support consumption.

Hong Kong stocks and kiwi rise on China outlook

SmartBiz became the first financial-technology firm to receive regulatory approval to be a bank since President Donald Trump took office in January, a regulatory signal that other fintechs could also get the green light to cement their footholds in the financial-services industry.

SmartBiz is first fintech to become bank under Trump

Volkswagen's Audi will cut up to 7,500 jobs in Germany by 2029 in areas like administration and development, the premium carmaker said on Monday, the latest German auto industry player to reduce costs.

Volkswagen's Audi to cut 7,500 jobs in administration, development by 2029

The bank at the centre of Vietnam's biggest financial fraud has received a central bank bailout amounting 5% of the nation's 2024 economic output, which a local white knight hopes to repay in 15 years, documents seen by Reuters show.

Vietnam developer proposes 15-year rescue for bank at heart of giant fraud, documents show

Home-grown electronics firm Creative Technology has retrenched about 40 staff, or 14% of its workforce, as the tech layoff wave continues its rampage, The Straits Times has learnt.

Creative Technology cuts workforce, adding to global wave of tech layoffs — report

US President Donald Trump said he would look to counter China’s economic advantage from coal-based electricity by authorising his administration to ramp up production of energy from the fossil fuel.

Trump says he’s authorising administration to produce coal power

With decades of governance experience across various levels, Gobind Singh Deo steps into his new role as national chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) at a pivotal time in Malaysia’s political landscape.

Hong Kong shares rose to three-year highs and led Asian markets higher on Tuesday, as investors turn positive on the outlook for the world's second-biggest economy and cheered recent data and promises to further support consumption.

A trade war sparked by US President Donald Trump's tariffs may drive up global inflation, stoke market volatility and slow economic growth, the CEOs of two top Australian banks said on Tuesday, but added Australia was insulated from the disruption.

US President Donald Trump nominated Federal Reserve governor Michelle Bowman to the central bank's top regulatory post as vice-chair for supervision where she is expected to oversee an agenda of relaxed rule-writing and bank oversight.

Trump nominates US Fed governor Bowman as vice-chair for supervision

The Israeli military said it hit targets across Gaza early on Tuesday, ending a weeks-long standoff over extending the ceasefire that halted fighting in January, with Palestinian health ministry officials reporting at least 100 dead.

Israel attacks targets in Gaza as ceasefire deadlock breaks 

US Commerce department bureaus informed staffers in recent weeks that Chinese artificial intelligence model DeepSeek is banned on their government devices, according to a message seen by Reuters and two people familiar with the matter.

US Commerce department bureaus ban China's DeepSeek on govt devices — Reuters

China hasn’t imported liquefied natural gas from the US for 40 days, the longest gap in almost two years, as traders are forced to divert shipments elsewhere to avoid Beijing’s tariffs on the super-chilled fuel.

China halts US LNG imports as trade war reroutes deliveries

President Donald Trump said Chinese leader Xi Jinping would visit Washington soon, as trade tensions build between the world’s two largest economies.

Trump says Xi will visit Washington in ‘not too distant future’

Britain's Labour government will announce plans on Tuesday to cut the amount spent on supporting people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, seeking to tame a sharply rising welfare bill despite unrest among some of the party's lawmakers.

UK to cut welfare payments in bid to address spiralling costs

Google-parent Alphabet is in advanced negotiations to buy Israeli cybersecurity company Wiz with an offer of more than US$30 billion (RM133.3 billion), according to a source familiar with the matter, marking its largest potential acquisition to date.

Alphabet back in talks to buy Israel's Wiz for over US$30b — Reuters

Pacific Investment Management Co is increasingly negative on the outlook for German government bonds as the country edges close to a crucial pivot toward more public spending.

Pimco turns more negative on German bonds ahead of debt vote

Peruvian authorities declared a 30-day state of emergency in the nation’s capital city on Monday, after a singer’s murder again raised alarm about extortion rackets.

Peru declares state of emergency in Lima over slain singer

SmartBiz became the first financial-technology firm to receive regulatory approval to be a bank since President Donald Trump took office in January, a regulatory signal that other fintechs could also get the green light to cement their footholds in the financial-services industry.

Gold prices scaled a record peak above the crucial US$3,000-mark on Tuesday for the second time within a week, as investors sought cover from economic concerns fuelled by US President Donald Trump's tariff policies.

The recording of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s statement at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters over allegations of corruption and money laundering has been postponed to Wednesday.

When folk rock legend Bob Dylan made the clarion call to “writers and critics who prophesise with [the] pen” to keep their eyes wide open and not to speak too soon “for the times they are a-changin’”, global trade was not top on the list. Nevertheless, this exhortation which resonated more than h...

Stories by Adeline Paul Raj and Joyce Goh