Some 23.36 million shares of Cape EMS Bhd (KL:CEB), representing a 2.37% stake, were traded off-market on Thursday and a large bulk of the shares changed hands at below closing price of 47.5 sen.

Another 2.37% stake in Cape EMS change hands off-market

Cape EMS Bhd's (KL:CEB) share price has fallen like a rock, plunging from RM1.01 in mid-July to an all-time low of 40.5 sen on Aug 6.

Some quarters blamed it on the share sales by the company's managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) Christina Tee Kim Chin.

Was CEO's share sales the cause of Cape EMS share price plunge?

American tyre company Goodyear has put its factory in Shah Alam’s Section 15 up for sale, following its March decision to shut down its manufacturing facility in Malaysia as part of its cost restructuring efforts.

Goodyear seeking buyers for its Shah Alam factory

Petroleum Sarawak Bhd, the state-owned oil and gas company also known as Petros, has signed gas sale agreements (GSAs) with Sarawak Petchem Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Energy Bhd to kick off its role as Sarawak's sole gas aggregator to buy and sell all natural gas in the state.

Petros one step closer to controlling Sarawak gas trade

The first half of 2024 (1H2024) was not short of media headlines highlighting stocks hitting their historical highs, as sentiment was propped up by a myriad of drivers, from rate cut expectations, artificial intelligence (AI) or data centre-driven interest to Putrajaya-led efforts to coordinate government-linked entities in repatriating their foreign earnings and higher domestic investments.

Equity bulls propel 144 stocks on Bursa to record highs in 1H2024

Malaysia's government bond supply may slow in the second half and be on track to fall for the full year of 2024 amid smaller deficit financing requirements and strong investor demand, analysts said.

Malaysia govt bonds supply may slow in second half of 2024

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, commonly known as Singtel, is believed to be the latest international company to be setting up a data centre in Johor, Malaysia.

Singtel in talks to build data centre in Johor — sources

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is believed to have terminated a 15-year concession agreement for port dredging and reclamation works with Integrated Marine Works Sdn Bhd (IMW) as the company has failed to remedy default in certain payments, according to a source.

MOT terminates 15-year port dredging concession with Integrated Marine Works due to payment defaults — source

Johor Plantations Group Bhd has secured five cornerstone investors for what would be the largest initial public offering (IPO) in more than two years, according to people familiar with the matter.

Johor Plantations signs five cornerstone investors for IPO to raise over RM700 mil, sources say

The move by the government to implement the diesel subsidy rationalisation is a positive step in the right direction towards better fiscal management, despite potential backlash from the public, economists argue.

Diesel subsidy rationalisation a step in the right direction, economists say 

Penang Development Corporation’s (PDC) lawyers are currently reviewing The Edge’s report on the controversial land deal in Batu Kawan, as it considers legal action against the publication.

PDC mulling suit against The Edge over report on controversial Batu Kawan project 

Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) and the Employees Provident Fund will be receiving a total of RM12.55 billion in FY2023 dividends from the top 50 Malaysian public-listed companies with substantial stake held by government-linked investment companies (GLICs), with PNB reaping RM6.6 billion, and the pension fund RM5.95 billion.

PNB, EPF bag RM12.55 bil in FY2023 dividends from top 50 PLCs

Trading volume of small-cap stocks that came under heavy selling pressure soared to record highs. Several of them dominated the most actively traded list on Monday as some share prices reversed their downward trend.

Battered small-cap stocks top active list; trading volumes swell to record 

More counters tanked on Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday, with several hitting limit-down and a couple having their short-selling suspended, as heavy selling pressure that first affected a few stocks last week appear to have spread.

Multiple stocks tank as sell-off spreads

Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) is exploring the use of advanced water treatment technologies through artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor, predict and detect the quality of raw water from Selangor’s rivers before it is treated at the state’s 34 water treatment plants.

Air Selangor looking into AI solutions to better manage water pollution

Wheat fell as weak demand and improving weather in the US overshadowed an outsized interest-rate cut from the Federal Reserve.
 
Futures in Chicago dipped as much as 1.8%, extending losses this week amid weaker exports for European Union soft wheat and better conditions for US winter wheat planting.

Wheat drops as weak demand, better US weather outweigh Fed cut

Europe's incoming antitrust chief Teresa Ribera plans to loosen the bloc's competition rules to strengthen European industries and speed up regulatory scrutiny of merger deals, according to an interview in Spanish newspaper El Pais on Thursday.

Incoming EU antitrust chief Ribera plans to ease antitrust rules, says El Pais

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cut Wednesday was “a very positive sign for where the US economy is,” reflecting progress in bringing down inflation and a determination to protect the job market.

Yellen says US Fed cut ‘positive sign,’ policy still restrictive

The US Senate will prepare temporary spending legislation that would avert a partial government shutdown at the end of the month, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said on Thursday.

US Senate to move on stopgap bill to avoid partial government shutdown

Walmart Inc customers will soon have the option to pay directly from their bank accounts with instant transfers for online purchases. The enhanced feature is a flash point in the escalating tensions between merchants and the card networks setting the fees for payment processing.

Walmart plans instant bank payments, cutting out card networks

Sales of existing US homes fell in August to a 10-month low on persistent affordability challenges ahead of a recent decline in mortgage rates.

Contract closings decreased 2.5% from a month earlier to a 3.86 million annualised rate, according to figures released on Thursday from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

US existing-home sales drop to lowest level since October

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

Pharmaniaga, Country Heights, EcoWorld, SSF, United Malacca, Ancom Nylex 

Wall Street’s biggest banks are divided over how fast and deep the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates over the next year, setting the stage for jittery financial markets until the outlook clears.

Big banks are split on how fast the Fed will cut interest rates

Wall Street rallied on Thursday with the S&P 500 hitting another intraday record high after the Federal Reserve kicked off its easing cycle with half-a-percentage point reduction and forecast more cuts were on the horizon.

Wall Street jumps with tech stocks in the lead after Fed kicks off easing cycle

The 50-basis-point (bps) policy rate cut by the US Federal Reserve early on Wednesday is expected to stimulate domestic consumption in the US and keep its economy from slowing too rapidly.

US Fed rate cut fuels optimism for sustained Malaysian export recovery after August growth beats

BALI (Sept 19): AirAsia is planning to expand its network in Indonesia, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara, the southernmost province of the country, according to Capital A Bhd (KL:CAPITALA) chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

“We recently launched flights to Labuan Bajo, wh...

AirAsia eyes expansion in eastern Indonesia with new routes

China is widely expected to trim its main policy and benchmark lending rates on Friday, a Reuters poll showed, after the Federal Reserve's outsized interest rate cut removed some of the risks around sharp yuan declines.

China expected to trim main policy rate and lending benchmarks

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 19): The Immigration Department is conducting a review and will implement extensive reforms to its work processes and service delivery,&nbsp;in response to concerns raised by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)&nbsp;chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

Immigration Dept to reform work processes following MACC chief’s feedback — DG

Asian currencies advanced to the strongest level in more than a year after the Federal Reserve kicked off policy easing and signaled further interest-rate reductions this year.

Asian currencies hit 14-month high as US Fed cuts interest rates

The chief executive officer (CEO) of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) and his wife were among 19 individuals remanded for seven days starting Thusday.

GISBH CEO and wife among 19 nabbed, remanded for a week

(Sept 19):&nbsp;India’s overtaking of China in some global gauges will likely usher in a bigger influx of foreign flows, giving equities in the South Asian country another boost.

India’s eclipsing of China in MSCI global stock gauges to drive flows

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits dropped to a four-month low last week, pointing to solid job growth in September and offering confirmation that the economy continued to expand in the third quarter.

US weekly jobless claims drop to four-month low

The world's biggest palm oil exporter Indonesia will introduce a new set of monthly levies in a bid to improve competitiveness against rival edible oils, a regulation published on Thursday by its finance ministry showed.

Indonesia issues new palm oil levies rule to boost competitiveness

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Thursday

FBM KLCI gains 0.3% to 1,665.65 on Sept 19, 2024

Eco World Development Group Bhd (KL:ECOWLD) reported a 21.26% year-on-year increase in its third quarter net profit, driven by improved earnings contributions from its Malaysian operations.

EcoWorld's 3Q profit jumps 21% as revenue and margin improve; 10-month sales exceed FY2024 target

The Malaysian Bar Council has raised concerns over the ongoing delay in the appointment of a new Chief Judge of Malaya (CJM) — the third highest position in the judicial hierarchy — saying it should be expedited to ensure effective administration of justice and continued public confidence in the country's legal system.

Malaysian Bar calls for appointment of new chief judge to be expedited after seven-month vacancy

Intel said on Thursday it had no plans to sell its majority stake in Mobileye Global, sending shares of the self-driving tech firm up more than 13%.

Intel says has no plans to divest majority stake in Mobileye

The US has no immediate plans to withdraw a mid-range missile system deployed in the Philippines, despite Chinese demands, and is testing the feasibility of its use in a regional conflict, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

US keeps missile system in Philippines after joint exercises as China tensions rise, tests wartime deployment

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 19): Malaysia welcomes the United Nations’ (UN) decision to implement the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.

Malaysia applauds UN resolution backing ICJ ruling on Israel’s occupation of Palestine — ministry

BALI (Sept 19): AirAsia announced on Thursday,&nbsp;a long-term partnership with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, to advance research into aviation sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the Asean region.

AirAsia, Airbus partner for Asean aviation sustainability

Agricultural and industrial chemicals manufacturer Ancom Nylex Bhd (KL:ANCOMNY) is acquiring a 70% stake in Colorex Sdn Bhd for RM14 million, cash.

Ancom Nylex acquires 70% stake in specialty chemical player Colorex for RM14m, cash

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 19): Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry&nbsp;secretary-general (Industry) Datuk Hanafi Sakri&nbsp;said&nbsp;Malaysia and Palestine will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to boost bilateral cooperation in several sectors.

Malaysia, Palestine to boost bilateral cooperation in sectors including trade and investment — Miti

The US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) recent interest rate cut is expected to ease capital inflows into Malaysia, boosting the ringgit and supporting local equities, according to economists and market analysts.

CEO Morning Brief

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CEO Morning Brief

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