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UPSTART: Not just child's play

Asian bonds and stocks were set for further losses Friday as elevated oil prices fueled inflation concerns, driving long-term Treasury yields to multi-decade highs and raising the prospect of further Federal Reserve rate hikes.

Asian bonds, stocks to fall as oil fans inflation

Oil steadied as US and Iranian negotiators were said to be exploring a phased deal that would see Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz. West Texas Intermediate for November was little changed above US$94 a barrel, after gaining almost 3% on Thursday, while Brent settled above US$106.

Oil steadies with the US, Iran said to be exploring phased deal

A renewed episode of bond volatility left traders reluctant to make riskier bets, with stocks wavering on worries that elevated oil prices will fuel inflation and force the Federal Reserve to lift rates. As the selloff in bonds deepened, 30-year yields hit the highest since 2004.

Stocks waver as oil rally triggers bond volatility

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

HE Group, Eco World, MNRB, Zetrix AI, UUE, IOI Properties, IHH Healthcare, MyNews, Superlon, Infomina, Ajinomoto Malaysia, Inta Bina

The Madani government is finalising follow-up measures to address the concerns of local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by competition from foreign e-commerce platforms, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Govt to address MSME concerns over foreign e-commerce competition, says PM 

United Malacca Bhd (KL:UMCCA) posted a 15.8% decline in first-quarter net profit, with weaker contributions from its Malaysian operations partially offset by stronger performance in Indonesia.

United Malacca 1Q net profit slips on weaker Malaysia operations, partially offset by Indonesia gains

The sacking of the Negeri Sembilan executive council has been published in the state government gazette, formalising the state ruler's Monday announcement even as the 10-member body and the menteri besar insist removing them is unconstitutional.

Sacking of Negeri Sembilan exco gazetted

US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for a lavish state summit expected to be heavy on symbolism but light on substance, with both leaders keen to showcase stable ties despite a host of thorny issues such as AI, trade, Taiwan and the war with Iran.

Trump-Xi summit in Washington begins with great fanfare but low expectations

Iranian flights to Gulf neighbours including travel hub Dubai appeared to have been cancelled on Thursday after a US deadline passed for global firms to halt work with Iran's airlines, a major step in a campaign President Donald Trump calls "economic D-Day".

Iranian flights cancelled as new US 'D-Day' sanctions take effect, Saudis say they shoot down Houthi missiles

New claims for US unemployment benefits hovered near 57-year lows last week, suggesting the labour market was regaining momentum after struggling through much of summer and appeared for now to be weathering headwinds from the Middle East conflict.

US weekly jobless claims near 57-year lows as labour market regains footing

The Sessions Court on Thursday heard that former PETRONAS manager Mohd Khairul Akmal Mohd Jasni met informally with a senior official of Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) at the Kuala Lumpur Golf &amp; Country Club (KLGCC), before a formal interview for a position at the company in 2024.

Former PETRONAS manager met Petros official informally before interview — witness

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) said a calculation error caused the additional delay in paying out its final dividend, as it grapples with the injunction secured by a substantial shareholder to freeze payments to certain disputed accounts.

Zetrix AI says calculation error behind further delay in dividend payout

Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd (KL:AJI) shareholders have approved the RM20 per share offer from its parent, Ajinomoto Co Inc, to take the company private via a selective capital reduction (SCR).

Ajinomoto Malaysia shareholders approve parent’s RM20 privatisation offer

China-based titanium dioxide and inorganic chemical materials manufacturer&nbsp;LB Group Co Ltd&nbsp;has expanded its footprint in Malaysia with the launch of a new facility at the Gurun Heavy Industrial Park in Kedah, representing a total investment of RM1 billion.

China's LB Group expands Malaysian footprint with RM1 bil facility in Kedah

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

The sacking of the Negeri Sembilan executive council has been published in the state government gazette, formalising the state ruler's Monday announcement even as the 10-member body and the menteri besar insist removing them is unconstitutional.

Superlon Holdings Bhd (KL:SUPERLN) reported its highest quarterly net profit in a decade as &nbsp;revenue hit a record on higher contribution from its manufacturing division and better margins. 
&nbsp;

Superlon posts decade-high quarterly profit on record revenue, appoints new CEO 

SLGC Bhd (KL:SLG) said the public portion of its initial public offering (IPO) was oversubscribed by 3.1 times, ahead of its Oct 6 listing on the ACE Market.

SLGC IPO oversubscribed by 3.1 times ahead of Oct 6 listing

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has been urged to explain who allegedly forced him to sign the Instrument of Proclamation regarding the position of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on Aug 3.

Zafrul urges Negeri Sembilan MB to come clean on who allegedly forced him to sign proclamation on state ruler

Inta Bina Group Bhd (KL:INTA) said on Thursday it has secured a RM221.08 million contract to undertake the main building works for an apartment and office development in Klang. 
&nbsp;

Inta Bina bags RM221 mil construction contract in Klang from Mitraland

Steel manufacturer Hiap Teck Venture Bhd (KL:HIAPTEK) reported a 2.25% rise in net profit for the fourth quarter due to better margins even as revenue slipped on lower sales and average steel product prices.

Hiap Teck 4Q net profit edges up 2.3% despite weaker revenue, declares 0.7 sen dividend

More than 1,000 workers rallied peacefully in Jakarta on Thursday, pressing lawmakers to include stronger protections in a new labour law ahead of a court-imposed deadline next month.

Indonesian workers rally in Jakarta as labour-law deadline nears

Negotiations for cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and other parties for the 16th Melaka State Election are expected to be held soon, says Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. 
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BN to negotiate with other parties for Melaka polls soon — Ab Rauf

US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for a lavish state summit expected to be heavy on symbolism but light on substance, with both leaders keen to showcase stable ties despite a host of thorny issues such as AI, trade, Taiwan and the war with Iran.

Singapore’s major financial institutions pledged to train more than 80,000 local employees in artificial intelligence (AI) skills as the country moves to cushion white-collar workers from potential job disruption.&nbsp;

Singapore’s finance firms to train 80,000 staff in AI skills, says deputy PM

Convenience store chain&nbsp;operator MyNews Holdings Bhd (KL:MYNEWS) saw its net profit fall 40.5% to RM3.83 million for its third &nbsp;quarter ended July 31, 2026 (3QFY2026), compared with RM6.43 million a year earlier.

MyNews net profit down 40% in 3Q on higher operating expenses

Oracle Corp is moving to shield itself from racking up expenses on a massive data centre being built in New Mexico, adding a fresh wrinkle to a project beset by opposition and regulatory setbacks.

Oracle cites ‘force majeure’ to shield itself on controversial data centre — Bloomberg

Infomina Bhd (KL:INFOM) said on Thursday that it accepted a RM63 million contract to provide technology refresh supply and maintenance to a financial institution.

Infomina bags RM63 mil contract to provide tech refresh, maintenance for financial institution

The High Court on Thursday fixed Oct 23 to rule on a shipping company's bid to restrain RHB Bank Bhd (LK:RHBBANK) from closing two of its long-standing accounts, pending the disposal of its full suit.

Oct 23 ruling on bid to restrain RHB from closing Maritime Network's accounts

IHH Healthcare Bhd’s (KL:IHH) unit has appealed a Tokyo court decision that dismissed its ¥200 billion (about RM5.3 billion) damages claim against Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo. 
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