EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.

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.

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

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

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 14, 2026 

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

Asian stocks looked set for broad gains on Wednesday after US equities recovered from session lows on signals that the Federal Reserve may not need to raise interest rates aggressively next year.

Asia stocks to gain on signal for fewer Fed hikes

Oil rose as a flare-up in attacks in the Middle East increased uncertainty over a recovery in energy flows from the Persian Gulf. West Texas Intermediate advanced toward US$95 a barrel, after edging higher in the previous session, while Brent declined to close below US$106.

Oil rises as Middle East attacks increase uncertainty over flows

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

AmanahRaya Investment Management Sdn Bhd announced that it has temporarily suspended dealings in three funds under its management with immediate effect, citing liquidity constraints.

AmanahRaya Investment Management suspends redemptions in three funds on liquidity constraints

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

AmanahRaya Investment Management Sdn Bhd announced that it has temporarily suspended dealings in three funds under its management with immediate effect, citing liquidity constraints.

CTOS Digital Bhd (KL:CTOS), whose shares fell to a record low on Tuesday, expects its recent cybersecurity breach to reduce its financial year ending Dec 31, 2026 (FY2026) profit after tax and minority interests (Patami) by RM12 million and revenue by RM16 million.

CTOS estimates RM12m FY2026 profit hit from cyber breach as stock falls to record low

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

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

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

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  

Critical Holdings Bhd (KL:CHB) said an additional RM74.1 million has been added to the value of the contract it secured from an undisclosed US-based multinational corporation to build a cleanroom facility at Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah.

Critical Holdings' Kulim Hi-Tech Park cleanroom job value increased by nearly 49% to RM227m

Wall Street's main indices were muted in choppy trading on Tuesday as chip stocks came under selling pressure again while investors parsed a mixed bag of quarterly results, including those from big US banks.

Wall Street subdued in choppy trade after big bank earnings, chips slide

Malaysia aims to attract about 250,000 international students by 2030, focusing on a diversity of source countries to strengthen its position as a preferred higher education destination.

Malaysia targets 250,000 international students by 2030 — Zambry

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.

Pantech Global Bhd (KL:PGLOBAL) said it is disposing of a 10-acre freehold land which it acquired less than two years ago for the expansion of its operations in Klang, for RM31.73 million in cash.

Pantech Global to sell former expansion site in Klang for RM31.7 mil

Citigroup Inc’s fixed-income traders handed in their best third quarter (3Q) in at least a decade, beating analysts’ expectations and sending the bank’s revenue for the period to one of its highest levels ever.

Citigroup fixed-income traders post higher revenue in 3Q as rivals miss

JPMorgan Chase fell short of quarterly profit estimates for the first time in nearly three years as market volatility and an uncertain economic outlook dampened dealmaking and reduced bond market trading activity in recent months.

JPMorgan posts rare profit miss as dealmaking, bond trading lose momentum

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) have warned the public against deepfake videos impersonating their senior officers to promote private investment schemes and financial products.

BNM, SC warn against deepfake videos impersonating senior officers

Johnson &amp; Johnson reported another quarter of anaemic sales in its medical technology division and said it is leaning towards spinning off, rather than selling, its orthopedics business.

Johnson & Johnson mulls spinning off orthopedics business as medtech sales disappoint

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

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

Lianson Fleet Group Bhd (KL:LFG) has acquired its third Ultramax bulk carrier for US$23 million (RM93.9 million), as part of its ongoing diversification beyond its offshore support vessel business.

Lianson Fleet buys third Ultramax bulk carrier for US$23 mil

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

Binasat Communications Bhd (KL:BINACOM) has proposed to undertake a private placement of up to 60.43 million shares, representing not more than 10% of its total issued shares, to raise money for existing and future contracts.

EVENING 5

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