Banks struggled to process payments on Friday, after an unprecedented day-long breakdown in the European Central Bank's (ECB) machine underpinning trillions of euros of money movements.

ECB's multi-trillion payments breakdown sends shudders through Europe

British finance minister Rachel Reeves said on Wednesday that she had rebuilt a £9.9 billion (US$12.8 billion or RM56.7 billion) fiscal buffer that was wiped out by weaker economic forecasts and rising borrowing costs since her first full budget last year.

UK finance minister restores £9.9b fiscal buffer

Nestcon Builders Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of construction outfit Nestcon Bhd (KL:NESTCON), has secured a construction contract worth RM228.30 million from Paramount Property (Cityview) Sdn Bhd.

Nestcon bags RM228m construction contract in KL

Orders placed with US factories for business equipment unexpectedly declined in February, suggesting some companies are limiting investment as they await specifics on tariffs and tax policy.

US business equipment orders fall for first time in four months

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) a one-month deadline to chart a new direction for the agency.

Anwar gives Felda one month to propose new path forward

(March 26): Allianz Global Investors, the smaller of the two asset managers owned by German insurance giant Allianz SE, is cutting some roles as it looks to make changes to its organizational structure.

“Some tasks and elements of our operation may no longer be required or can be achiev...

Allianz Global Investors says it is cutting some roles

Gas Malaysia Bhd (KL:GASMSIA) has announced a final dividend of 10.28 sen per share, payable on June 26, 2025, following a 15.12% increase in its annual net profit to RM441.39 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024.

Gas Malaysia declares final dividend of 10.28 sen per share 

Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), Malaysia’s state-owned oil and gas (O&G) company, is said to be looking to raise up to US$3 billion (RM13.27 billion) through a three-tranche US dollar bond issuance, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing two sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Petronas said to be aiming to raise US$3b in dollar bond deal

Plantation outfit United Malacca Bhd’s (KL:UMCCA) net profit for its third quarter rose 53% year-on-year, mainly attributed to higher crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel prices.

Higher palm oil prices lift United Malacca’s 3Q net profit by 53%

UOB Kay Hian Securities (M) Sdn Bhd has appointed Anne Leh as its new CEO effective March 28.

UOB Kay Hian appoints Anne Leh as new CEO

A total of 24 more Malaysian citizens who were victims of a job scam syndicate in Myawaddy, Myanmar, have safely arrived at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah.

Another 24 Malaysian victims of job scam syndicate in Myanmar return home

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

(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

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

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

Chemlite Innovation Bhd (KL:CLITE) ended its first day on the ACE Market underwater, the fifth consecutive listing on Bursa Malaysia to stumble on its debut.

Chemlite dips on ACE Market debut, extends listing flops

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

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):&nbsp;China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCC-ECRL) has honoured 18 local vendors, including consultants and subcontractors, with the Excellence Award 2024, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the East Coast Rail Link project (ECRL).

CCC-ECRL recognises excellence of 18 local vendors for outstanding contributions to ECRL project

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): 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

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

Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) reported a 4.8% year-on-year increase in net profit for the second fiscal quarter thanks to domestic construction projects, particularly the Penang land reclamation works.

Gamuda says to sign several 'imminent' large contracts, as 2Q profit grows 4.8%

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), which was taken private earlier this year, is reviewing the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Master Plan and putting brick-and-mortar expansion on hold in favour of rebuilding older assets to eke out capacity.

KLIA Master Plan under review, brick-and-mortar expansion on hold — MAHB

Solarvest&nbsp;Holdings&nbsp;Bhd’s&nbsp;(KL:SLVEST) unit Atlantic Blue Sdn&nbsp;Bhd&nbsp;has&nbsp;secured an engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contract from SV Flux Sdn&nbsp;Bhd,&nbsp;an indirect unit of Penang Development Corp (PDC),&nbsp;worth RM103.08 million.

Solarvest secures RM103m EPCC contract from Penang Development Corp unit

Indonesian authorities will hand over more land that has been seized in probes into illegal palm plantations to the new state company Agrinas Palma Nusantara, officials said on Wednesday, as part of a push to clean up the industry's global image.

Indonesia steps up handing confiscated palm plantations to state company

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, &nbsp;a day after the first mov...

Tom Sims, Francesco Canepa & John O'Donnell