(April 12): Most Asian currencies rose on Wednesday as investor concerns eased about simmering geopolitical tensions though caution towards risky assets prevailed in the market.

Currencies were also helped by an overall softening in US treasury yields.

The 30-year yield touche...

Most currencies rise as geopolitical concerns ease

(April 11): Asian currencies were subdued on Tuesday as geopolitical risks dampened risk appetites and dented assets such as regional equities.

The US dollar fell in Asian trading as tensions with North Korea and Syria weighed on US Treasury yields.

"The risk-off sentimen...

Asian currencies affected by geopolitical risks; won worst hit

(April 10): All Asian currencies besides the Philippine peso were weaker on Monday as heightened geopolitical tension weighed on investor sentiment, turning their focus towards safe assets.

The Korean won, down 0.67%, fell for a fifth straight session and was the biggest loser in the re...

Asian currencies shaken by geopolitics, Philippine peso bucks trend

SINGAPORE (April 7): The South Korean won and Taiwan dollar dropped to three-week lows against the US dollar on Friday, as investors turned to safe-haven assets after the United States launched cruise missiles against an airbase in Syria.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he or...

S.Korean won, Taiwan dollar sag after US strikes on Syria

(April 6): Most emerging Asian currencies slipped on Thursday, as risk sentiment turned cautious ahead of a United States-China summit that could highlight trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.

The South Korean won led the losses with a drop of 0.8%. A few other curr...

Asian currencies slip on caution ahead of Trump-Xi meeting

SINGAPORE (April 5): Some Asian currencies edged lower on Wednesday, ahead of a United States-China summit that could highlight trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.

The South Korean won fell 0.3%, while the Taiwan dollar and Indian rupee both slipped by around 0.2%....

Asian currencies slip, focus on coming US-China summit

SINGAPORE (April 4): Asian currencies edged lower on Tuesday as investors turned cautious on riskier assets ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the week.

The South Korean won slipped 0.2% against the US dollar, with market parti...

Asian currencies inch lower, focus on Trump-Xi meeting

Shares of Heitech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) were suspended with effect from 9am on Friday, pending an announcement.

Heitech Padu shares suspended for material contract announcement

(Oct 18): In the countdown to the weekend inauguration of Indonesia’s new president, Jakarta’s political elite has been huddled at the incoming leader’s private ranch outside the capital, deep in the last-minute haggling that will determine the shape of the country’s government for the next five years.

Indonesia’s fixer-in-chief bows out as Prabowo takes the helm

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, holds a positive outlook for consumer spending in Malaysia for 2025, supported by an ongoing economic recovery that fuels stable real consumer spending growth, according to its note on Friday.

The research firm said easing inflationary pressures and a stable labour market will sustain consistent consumer spending.

Positive 2025 consumer spending outlook for Malaysia, but high household debt poses risk — BMI

(Oct 18): China’s largest state-owned lenders have cut their deposit rates on Friday, their second reduction this year as they rushed to salvage record low margins amid weakened profitability.

Major banks including Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. and China Construction Ba...

China’s mega banks trim deposit rates as stimulus hits profits

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Oct 18): China's central bank and financial regulators have held meetings with key financial institutions, urging them to swiftly implement expansive policies to support the economy and the capital markets.

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) said in a statement on its w...

China urges swift implementation of expansive financial policies

(Oct 18): The economic policies being proposed by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would fuel inflation and harm businesses, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to warn in a speech, according to a report in the New York Times on Thursday.

Yellen's crit...

Yellen to warn sweeping tariffs would ignite inflation, NYT reports

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Oct 17): Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a mastermind of the Oct 7, 2023 attack that triggered the Gaza war, has been killed by Israeli forces in the Palestinian enclave, Israel said on Thursday.

Hamas leader Sinwar killed by Israeli troops in Gaza, Netanyahu says war will go on

(Oct 18): US government bonds slumped after strong September retail-sales figures fanned doubts over how quickly the Federal Reserve will continue to lower interest rates.

The selloff pushed Treasury yields higher by as much as seven to 10 basis points. Initially, short maturities ...

Treasury yields climb as strong data sow doubt on Fed rate cuts

MORNING CALL: 18/10/24

(Oct 18) : Traders are adding to bets that the European Central Bank (ECB) will need a bumper interest-rate cut in December, after policymakers flagged risks to growth as they lowered borrowing costs on Thursday.

Traders see 20% chance of half-point ECB rate cut in December

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

Genting Malaysia, Varia, Salcon, SC Estate Builder, AME Reit, AME Elite, Ancom Nylex, MAHB, HPP Holdings, LKL, Bintai Kinden 

The National Budget is set to be tabled on Friday. Regardless of what will be announced, Malaysian corporates must continue to focus on several areas, apart from wave two of e-invoicing.

Focusing on tax areas that matter most

PPG Industries&nbsp;will lay off 1,800 employees in the US and Europe and close various facilities as part of a cost-reduction programme, the paints and coatings maker said on Thursday.

PPG to lay off 1,800 employees in US, Europe in cost-cut push

AME Real Estate Investment Trust's (KL:AMEREIT) proposed acquisition of four single-storey detached factories in Johor for RM119.45 million has been deemed fair and reasonable, according to independent adviser MainStreet Adviser Sdn Bhd.

AME REIT's proposed acquisition of Johor factories for RM119 mil is fair and reasonable, says independent adviser

Meta is laying off employees across units including Instagram, WhatsApp and Reality Labs, the Verge reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Meta lays off employees at WhatsApp and Instagram — report

(Oct&nbsp;18) :&nbsp;The world’s biggest bond market got hit as a solid retail sales report had traders trimming their bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.

Wall Street dials back Fed-cut bets on solid data

(Oct&nbsp;18) :&nbsp;The yen fell below the psychological mark of 150 per dollar, after robust US economic data led traders to dial back bets on Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, boosting the greenback.&nbsp;

Yen falls to key 150 level after solid US retail, labor data

Wall Street gained on Thursday, with the S&amp;P 500 and the Dow touching intraday record highs, driven by TSMC's upbeat forecast and a bigger-than-expected rise in monthly retail sales indicating a strong US consumer.

Wall Street rises on chip rally, upbeat retail sales data

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that wars, trade tensions, high debt and low growth threaten to prolong a lacklustre economic era and leave nations without the resources to reduce poverty and confront climate change.

IMF warns low growth, less trade and debt imperil world’s future

(Oct 18):&nbsp;US government bonds slumped after strong September retail-sales figures fanned doubts over how quickly the Federal Reserve will continue to lower interest rates.

The selloff pushed Treasury yields higher by as much as seven to 10 basis points. Initially, short maturities ...

Deere &amp; Co is laying off an additional nearly 300 people in Iowa and Illinois as demand for farm equipment slows from the peak production of recent years.

Deere announces more layoffs in Iowa, Illinois during farm slump

Sage Therapeutics&nbsp;said on Thursday its finance chief will leave the company and the drugmaker plans to lay off more than 165 employees as part of a reorganisation plan that aims to focus on the launch of its postpartum depression pill.

Sage Therapeutics' CFO to leave, drugmaker to lay off over 165 employees

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Oct 17): Hamas leader&nbsp;Yahya&nbsp;Sinwar, a mastermind of the Oct&nbsp;7, 2023&nbsp;attack that triggered the Gaza war, has been killed by Israeli forces in the Palestinian enclave, Israel said on Thursday.

France's belt-tightening budget delivers a bigger tax hit than the government originally let on, according to new breakdowns that suggest a bigger dent in President Emmanuel Macron's pro-business legacy.

French budget packs bigger tax punch than first meets the eye

US industrial production fell in September, weighed down by a strike at Boeing and two hurricanes, including Helene.

Boeing strike, Hurricane Helene weigh on US industrial production

(Oct&nbsp;18) :&nbsp;Traders are adding to bets that the European Central Bank (ECB) will need a bumper interest-rate cut in December, after policymakers&nbsp;flagged&nbsp;risks to growth as they lowered borrowing costs on Thursday.

(Oct 18):&nbsp;The economic policies being proposed by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would fuel inflation and harm businesses, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to warn in a speech, according to a report in the New York Times on Thursday.

Yellen's crit...

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, holds a positive outlook for consumer spending in Malaysia for 2025, supported by an ongoing economic recovery that fuels stable real consumer spending growth, according to its note on Friday.

The research firm said easing inflationary pressures and a stable labour market will sustain consistent consumer spending.&nbsp;

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