US stock futures edged higher in early Tuesday trading, extending a rebound sparked by chipmakers that helped the Nasdaq 100 recover from its worst week since the tariff turmoil of April 2025.

US stock futures edge higher after chipmaker rally

Oil wavered as traders weighed the prospect of an escalation in hostilities by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz against robust crude flows from the Persian Gulf. The most-active West Texas Intermediate contract traded around US$98 a barrel after swinging in a range of about US$3 in the previous session.

Oil wavers as Iran threats vie with robust Gulf crude flows

A rebound in chipmakers buoyed the stock market as dip buyers emerged on bets the artificial-intelligence investment boom will continue to support solid earnings.

Nasdaq 100 climbs on AI trade revival after rout

Amazon.com is introducing a new tool that allows its custom AI chips to run code written in the most popular AI coding language without modification, seeking to erode the advantage that underpins Nvidia's dominance in the AI computing market.

Amazon says its AI chips will work with popular coding language, challenging Nvidia

Former Taghill Holdings Bhd (KL:TAGHILL) chief executive officer and executive director Ng Wai Hoe has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in the construction outfit after disposing of 30 million shares.

Taghill’s former CEO Ng Wai Hoe ceases to be substantial shareholder 

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

Zetrix AI, Toyo Ventures, Mi Technovation, IHH Healthcare, Duopharma, LYC Healthcare, KIP REIT, GDB, MMAG, Jati Tinggi, Cosmos Technology, Eonmetall

The government is refining proposals to improve the national haze action plan, particularly regarding school closure directives and the Ministry of Education's (MOE) early preparations to ensure learning can continue if schools are forced to close.

Putrajaya fine-tuning national haze action plan, says PM

Nearly RM11 billion in Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) assistance had been disbursed to eligible recipients as of September 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

MOF: Nearly RM11b in STR, Sara aid disbursed as of September 2026 

Lumut Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (Lunas) remains committed to delivering the first littoral combat ship (LCS1) to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), with the target for physical delivery revised to April 2027.

Lunas ready to hand over LCS1, targets physical delivery in 2027

The US Homeland Security Department is ordering the removal of DeepSeek products and third-party services using the Chinese AI model from US civilian agency IT systems, according to a notice published Monday.

US banning Chinese AI DeepSeek from govt agency IT systems

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Monday that the government has not made any commitment to provide financial support to AirAsia Group Bhd (KL:AAGB), whether through guarantees, loans or public fund injections.

Govt has made no commitment to financial support for AirAsia, says MOF

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Monday: 
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Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) managing director Wong Thean Soon has sold another 600,000 shares, reducing his stake to 1.887% and further complicating the group’s efforts to remedy a breach of its RM2 billion sukuk covenant, which requires him to remain its largest shareholder, by the Oct 22 deadline.

Zetrix AI's TS Wong sells more shares as Oct 22 sukuk covenant deadline looms

Nearly RM11 billion in Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) assistance had been disbursed to eligible recipients as of September 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Malaysia needs to prepare for an ageing society by investing in healthcare, elderly care and technologies that enable older people to live independently, says Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) chief executive officer Datuk Jay Khairil Jeremy Abdullah.

KWAP eyeing investment opportunities in longevity economy as Malaysia ages

Malaysia recorded a score of 7.57 out of 10 in the Economic Freedom of the World: 2026 Annual Report, marking its strongest performance since the index was introduced in 1970, according to the Center for Market Education (CME).

Malaysia records highest economic freedom score since 1970 — think tank

A by-election candidate who sought to wind up Reform UK lost his case and was ordered by an insolvency judge to pay £37,000 (RM201,309) of the party’s legal expenses. 
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Farage challenger faces £37,000 bill after losing court case

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 19): LYC Healthcare Bhd (KL) faces suspension and delisting from Bursa Malaysia after failing to secure a sponsor for its proposed Guidance Note 3 (GN3) regularisation plan following the termination of UOB Kay Hian (M) Sdn Bhd’s appointment last Friday.

In a bourse fil...

LYC Healthcare trading suspension, delisting looms after losing GN3 regularisation plan sponsor

Jati Tinggi Group Bhd (KL:JTGROUP) said the electrical engineering group has secured a RM30.1 million contract to build power infrastructure for a data centre in Kulai, Johor. 
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Jati Tinggi bags RM30 mil data centre power job in Johor

Malaysia aims to equip at least 50% of its 34 expressways with Smart Highway technology to enhance road safety, improve traffic flow and boost transport system efficiency.

Malaysia targeting smart highway tech on 50% of expressways, says works minister  

The benchmark S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite gained on Monday, as AI-related stocks rebounded from last week's sharp sell-off, with easing oil prices providing additional support ahead of key earnings reports this week.

S&P 500, Nasdaq climb as AI-linked stocks recover ahead of earnings

Cosmos Technology International Bhd (KL:COSMOS) has proposed to acquire a 51% stake in electronic manufacturing services (EMS) player Orisystems Opto Sdn Bhd for RM16.52 million to be paid for in shares. 
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Cosmos Technology acquires 51% stake in electronic manufacturing services firm in all-share deal

ACE Market bound NWE Resources Group Bhd posted a net profit of RM2.8 million for the three months ended June (1QFY2027) driven by core sales and tax exemptions.

ACE Market-bound NWE Resources posts RM2.8m 1Q net profit on core sales performance and tax exemptions

Duopharma Biotech Bhd (KL:DPHARMA) said on Monday it has reached an amicable settlement with India’s Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd over a drug trademark dispute. 
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Duopharma settles drug trademark suit with Indian pharmaceutical group

The US Homeland Security Department is ordering the removal of DeepSeek products and third-party services using the Chinese AI model from US civilian agency IT systems, according to a notice published Monday.

Former Taghill Holdings Bhd (KL:TAGHILL) chief executive officer and executive director Ng Wai Hoe has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in the construction outfit after disposing of 30 million shares.

White House National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said prices have been falling for items such as beef and eggs, though consumer price data for September shows overall inflation continues to need policy attention. 
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Hassett says CPI data shows inflation needs ‘some work’

The European Union is considering strengthening the rules around a riskier form of insurance provided to the banking sector, as part of an upcoming package to broadly ease access to securitised finance. 
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EU officials propose guardrails for insurance risk transfer boom

(Oct 19): Vietnamese EV maker VinFast on Monday reported an 85.5% year-on-year jump in second-quarter revenue, while gains from a manufacturing asset sale helped narrow its net loss even as the company continued investing in overseas expansion.

The electric vehicle maker had unveiled a ...

VinFast's overseas push lifts quarterly revenue, restructuring gains ease losses

Amazon.com is introducing a new tool that allows its custom AI chips to run code written in the most popular AI coding language without modification, seeking to erode the advantage that underpins Nvidia's dominance in the AI computing market.

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