Young people aged 30 and below recorded 65.9 million buy now, pay later (BNPL) transactions worth RM5.4 billion in the first half of 2026 (1H2026), accounting for 37.9% of total BNPL transactions in Malaysia, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Buy now, pay later: Young people made 65.9 mil transactions worth RM5.4 bil in 1H2026

Malaysia aims to reduce its fiscal deficit to below 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) within the next two years through fiscal consolidation, targeted subsidy reforms and stronger private-sector participation, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

Malaysia targets fiscal deficit below 3% within two years, says Amir Hamzah

Legislation to curb ‘Alibaba’ licensing practices, Malaysia’s diplomatic efforts on Gaza and the fate of an abandoned housing project are among the key issues expected to be raised in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

'Alibaba' licences, Gaza and troubled housing project among Parliament's focus on Wednesday

Oil rose on Wednesday as a flare-up in attacks in the Middle East increased uncertainty over a recovery in Persian Gulf energy flows.

Oil rises as Middle East attacks increase uncertainty over flows

Asian stocks bounced on Wednesday after two days of losses on expectations the US Federal Reserve (Fed) may not need to raise interest rates aggressively next year. American crude extended its rally.

Asian stocks rise on signal Fed may not need aggressive rate hikes

The government has effectively firmed up the national grid system access charge (SAC) for third parties at 18 sen per kilowatt-hour (kWh), sources told The Edge, in an about-turn less than a month after announcing a cut in the rate to 14 sen/kWh.

CRESS grid access charge now 18 sen/kWh after second revision in one month — sources 

Sales of US existing homes rose in September for the first time in four months, although a surge in mortgage rates and high prices are set to keep activity depressed through the remainder of the year.

US existing-home sales edged up ahead of mortgage-rate shock

Malaysian banks could see deposits inflows of between RM5.7 billion and RM10.1 billion because of the minimum wage hike and payroll tax deduction for non-MSMEs announced in Budget 2027.

Malaysian banks could see RM10b deposit spike due to Budget 2027 wage measures — Nomura

Oil producer group Opec+ posted a sharp gain in production in September, Opec said on Tuesday, driven by an increase from Saudi Arabia despite ongoing disruptions to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Iran war.

Saudi leads jump in Opec+ oil output in September, despite Iran war disruption

Billionaire banker Uday Kotak said India should allow its currency to find its own footing, arguing that uncertainty over policymakers’ intentions can keep markets guessing as global capital flows shift.

Billionaire Kotak says India should let rupee find its own level

US small-business optimism fell to a three-month low in September as economic expectations dimmed and a smaller share of firms indicated it was a good time to expand.

US small-business optimism falls on dimmer economic outlook

Investment in the space economy is on track to exceed US$100 billion (RM408.7 billion) for the first time ever in a given year in 2026, fuelled by SpaceX’s blockbuster initial public offering, defence spending and space infrastructure.

Space investment to top US$100 bil in 2026 after SpaceX IPO

Malaysia’s generous spending on subsidies and support for households and businesses will continue to drag on the pace of fiscal consolidation, said Fitch Ratings.

Malaysia’s budget largesse limits extent of fiscal tightening, says Fitch

Jio Platforms Ltd has drawn more than US$20 billion (RM81.74 billion) in bids for what could be India’s biggest-ever initial public offering, according to people familiar with the matter.

Jio Platforms said to draw more than US$20 bil in bids for IPO in India

The Court of Appeal ruled unanimously on Wednesday to allow an appeal by the police and the government, overturning the High Court's RM1.1 million award to the mother of Dutch model Ivana Smit.

Appellate court allows police, govt appeal, overturns RM1.1 mil award to mother of Dutch model

Renewable energy stocks led Wednesday's biggest decliners after the government reportedly raised the system access charge for third-party access to the national grid.

Renewable energy stocks lead declines after grid access charge hike

EcoSys (Malaysia) Bhd (KL:ECOSYS) more than doubled in its first day of listing on the ACE Market amid strong demand for a piece of the semiconductor services firm.

EcoSys opens up 159% on ACE Market debut

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 14, 2026

The government has effectively firmed up the national grid system access charge (SAC) for third parties at 18 sen per kilowatt-hour (kWh), sources told The Edge, in an about-turn less than a month after announcing a cut in the rate to 14 sen/kWh.

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

Sime Darby, Kelington Group, Critical Holdings, Censof Holdings, Liamson Fleet, Pantech Global, Mentiga Corp, Binasat Communications & CTOS Digital 

Land 33 Bhd (KL:LAND33) is acquiring a 1.05-acre parcel with a two-storey bungalow in Penang for RM32.3 million in cash for future property development.

Land 33 buying one-acre George Town land for RM32 mil for future development

The government is still seeking to recover funds from National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFC), three years after the High Court ordered the company to make payment over an outstanding loan.

Finance Ministry: Govt still pursuing RM33.74m from National Feedlot Corporation three years after court ruling  

Renewable energy stocks led Wednesday's biggest decliners after the government reportedly raised the system access charge for third-party access to the national grid.

Oil rose on Wednesday as a flare-up in attacks in the Middle East increased uncertainty over a recovery in Persian Gulf energy flows.

Apple Inc introduced a new device called the HomeView, a US$299 (RM1,221) display that serves as the centrepiece of its push to challenge Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google in the smart home market.

Apple unveils US$299 HomeView Hub as part of new smart home push

EcoSys (Malaysia) Bhd (KL:ECOSYS) more than doubled in its first day of listing on the ACE Market amid strong demand for a piece of the semiconductor services firm.

Asian stocks bounced on Wednesday after two days of losses on expectations the US Federal Reserve (Fed) may not need to raise interest rates aggressively next year. American crude extended its rally.

Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook says she will be unable to attend a Nov. 5 hearing at the White House that’s part of a new investigation into mortgage fraud allegations by President Donald Trump.

Fed’s Lisa Cook puts off White House hearing over Trump’s allegations

Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, Malaysia is seen strengthening its position as a competitive and resilient investment destination.

Malaysia stays resilient as global investors seek new growth markets

The government has completed RM17.15 billion in excess tax refunds involving 3.23 million taxpayer cases in the first nine months of 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

MOF: RM17.15 bil in excess tax refunds paid in first nine months

For Corporate America, the bar to deliver earnings growth that satisfies Wall Street’s bulls is only getting higher.&nbsp;

S&P 500 record rally meets risk of peaking earnings growth

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regard an “energy truce” announced by Donald Trump covering Russian oil refineries as too narrow and want Moscow to accept a broader ceasefire in the power sector, according to people familiar with the matter.

Germany and Ukraine want Putin to join full energy-sector truce — Bloomberg

Long-term Treasuries advanced as oil prices snapped a three-day rally, aiding the US inflation outlook ahead of Wednesday’s release of September consumer prices data.

Long-term Treasuries hold gains as oil snaps three-day rally

Here's a heads up on what to look out for today.

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 14, 2026 

Goldman Sachs Group Inc’s equities traders blew past expectations in the third quarter (3Q), while its fixed-income and rates-trading counterparts fell far below Wall Street’s estimates.

Goldman’s equity traders post big haul as credit, rates miss

Legislation to curb ‘Alibaba’ licensing practices, Malaysia’s diplomatic efforts on Gaza and the fate of an abandoned housing project are among the key issues expected to be raised in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

Stocks bounced from session lows as speculation the Federal Reserve won’t be forced to raise rates aggressively offset lingering worries about elevated oil prices and the outlook for artificial intelligence.

Stocks bounce from lows on Williams’ rate remarks

Eleven sailors were missing at sea on Tuesday from a ship sunk by a drone attack off the coast of Bulgaria, possibly the second deadly sinking of a cargo vessel in the area in a week, prompting Bulgaria to summon Russia's ambassador.

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