KOTA TINGGI (July 26): The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development has rebranded the hardcore poor housing programme (PPRT) to Program Perumahan Rakyat Sejahtera (PPRS), aimed at changing the perception and mindset of its community.

Zahid: Hardcore poor housing programme rebranded as Program Perumahan Rakyat Sejahtera

China’s electric carmakers are expanding in Europe to blunt the impact of tariffs meant to weaken their price advantage over the region’s ailing legacy manufacturers.

China’s made-in-Europe EVs pose new threat to region’s carmakers

The dent in Deutsche Bank AG’s profitability from US commercial property loans hit a new high last quarter, with the lender warning that offices are unlikely to see an improvement anytime soon.

Deutsche Bank’s US commercial property loans are a growing drag on its profits

Regional auto making hub Thailand will introduce investment incentives for manufacturers of hybrid vehicles, its Board of Investment (BOI) said on Friday, with excise taxes for hybrids to be lowered from 2028 to 2032.

Thailand to offer investment incentives for makers of hybrid vehicles

Malaysia's terms of trade, which measures the country's export prices relative to import prices, rose 1.3% month-on-month to 116.3 points in June 2024, driven by higher mineral fuel prices, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Terms of trade up 1.3% in June on mineral fuels boost — DOSM

The contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grew by 5% in 2023, with a value added of RM613.1 billion and contributing 39.1% to Malaysia’s economy, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

The MSMEs’ growth has surpassed Malaysia's GDP growth of 3.6% in 2023.

MSMEs' contribution to GDP grew 5% in 2023, with value added of RM613.1b — DOSM

Inflation in Tokyo accelerated for a third month in July, keeping the door open to a possible interest rate hike when the central bank’s policy board meets next week. 

Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 2.2% in the capital, versus 2.1% in June, the Internal Affairs Ministry reported on Friday. The reading matched the consensus estimate. Energy prices drove the gains, with electricity prices rising 19.7% on year. Gains in prices for processed food slowed a tad. Hotel prices also grew at a slower pace, as lodging subsidies were phased out a year earlier.

Tokyo inflation quickens, keeping BOJ hike option in play

Stellantis NV floated the possibility of shedding one or more of the auto giant’s 14 brands should they fail to remain profitable, as pressure rises on chief executive officer Carlos Tavares after a slump in first-half earnings.

Stellantis CEO says ‘no taboos’ on brands as profit plummets

Investors are scrambling to shore up global portfolios against wild market swings ahead of the Nov 5 US presidential election and backing out of assets stuck in the crosshairs of uncertainty, from big tech stocks to European government debt.

Global investors scramble to dodge US election curveballs

(July 26): Singapore’s central bank kept its monetary policy settings unchanged for a fifth straight time in a widely anticipated move, and reiterated that inflation will cool to about 2% in 2025, opening the window slightly for easing to begin next year.

Singapore central bank keeps policy unchanged during price risks

Rising mortgage rates in Britain likely pushed around 320,000 people into poverty, almost 100,000 more than suggested by official statistics, a report showed on Thursday.

UK mortgage rate surge pushed 320,000 into poverty, report shows

(July 25): Singapore’s central bank will likely maintain tight monetary policy settings, while signalling an extended pause to help blunt imported inflation, amid lingering risks from geopolitical shocks.

Singapore seen holding monetary policy, easing eyed in 2025

(July 25): Britain's largest water provider Thames Water suffered a major blow in its battle to avoid renationalisation on Wednesday as credit rating firm Moody's downgraded its corporate family rating (CFR) and its safest tranche of debt to junk.

The heavily indebted utility is at...

UK's Thames Water's troubles mount as credit rating cut to junk

KUALA LUMPUR (July 25): Malaysia saw its leading index (LI) grow 3.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 114.2 points in May 2024 from 110.0 points in the same period last year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Malaysia’s Leading Index rises 3.8% in May 2024; economy remains resilient — DOSM

SARAWAK expects to formalise a deal to raise its stake in Affin Bank Bhd to about 30% in about a month, according to the state’s premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

In an exclusive interview with The Edge in Kuala Lumpur last Friday (July 19), Abang Johari said the state is committed to...

Premier: Sarawak expects to ink S&P on Affin Bank deal in a month

Treasuries are rising at the end of a volatile week as the Federal Reserve’s favourite inflation gauge cemented traders’ expectations for an interest-rate cut in September.

The advance pushed yields lower across the curve on Friday, with two- and 10-year yields down by about five basis points (bps) to 4.38% and 4.2%, respectively.

Treasuries rally as data points to a September rate cut

The developer of a supertall condo tower in Miami’s Brickell neighbourhood has hired a new sales team after ousting an embattled real estate brokerage from the project.

One Sotheby’s International Realty has taken over marketing at 888 Brickell Dolce & Gabbana Miami, JDS Development’s pre-construction building overlooking Biscayne Bay in the city’s financial centre.

Miami condo tower moves on from brokers facing rape allegations

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof paid a courtesy visit to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday.

"During the meeting with His Excellency, I reaffirmed the commitment of the prime minister and the Malaysian government to continue strengthening cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam," he said in a post on the social media platform X.

Deputy PM Fadillah pays courtesy visit to Vietnamese PM, strengthens bilateral cooperation

Wall Street bounced back on Friday as megacap tech and chip stocks recovered from the week's pummeling, while a largely in-line key inflation reading kept bets for an early start to interest-rate cuts alive.

Wall Street rebounds on tech recovery, small caps jump after benign inflation data

Malaysia has urged dialogue partners attending the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference in Laos to support a ceasefire in Gaza and end the brutal killings of Palestinians.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia, along with Indonesia and Brunei, brought forward this motion during the meeting at the National Convention Centre (NCC) here.

Malaysia urges Asean dialogue partners to support ceasefire in Gaza

US authorities filed criminal and civil charges against prominent activist short seller Andrew Left for an alleged long-running market manipulation scheme involving bets on stocks including Nvidia and Tesla, they said on Friday.

US charges Citron's Andrew Left over alleged multi-million fraud scheme

Malaysia, as the country coordinator for Asean-China Dialogue Relations, will intensify efforts to finalise the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said Malaysia, which assumed the role of country coordinator this year, aims to establish a code of conduct accepted by all parties.

Malaysia steps up efforts to finalise South China Sea code of conduct

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

AirAsia X, Capital A, Hibiscus, Dagang NeXchange, ViTrox, Ekovest, Knusford, Alam Maritim, Datasonic, Kumpulan Kitacon, DXN, Homeritz, Westport, MGRC 

VIENTIANE (July 26): The Asean Post Ministerial Conference kicked off in the Laos capital here on Friday, as Asean foreign ministers engaged with top diplomats from dialogue partners to discuss various regional and international issues of common interest.

Asean Post Ministerial Conference kicks off in Laos; regional, global issues in focus

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

Ekovest Bhd (KL:EKOVEST) said it has agreed to a further extension of time to discuss a merger between its wholly owned subsidiary Ekovest Construction Sdn Bhd (ECSB) and Knusford Bhd (KL:KNUSFOR).

Ekovest agrees to six-month extension for merger discussion between subsidiary and Knusford

US prices increased moderately in June as the declining cost of goods tempered a rise in the cost of services, underscoring an improving inflation environment that could position the Federal Reserve to begin cutting interest rates in September.

US inflation rises moderately, consumer spending cools

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

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

The prestigious five-star Lexis Hibiscus 2 luxury resort is currently under construction by the KL Metro Group and is expected to be completed by 2029, said Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

Construction of RM1.6 bil GDV Lexis Hibiscus 2 resort will be completed in 2029

Practice Note 17 (PN17) company Alam Maritim Resources Bhd (KL:ALAM) has announced its regularisation plan, which includes a share capital reduction of RM440 million, 10-to-one share consolidation, an issuance of renounceable rights shares with warrants and a scheme of arrangement with its creditors.

Alam Maritim submits regularisation plan to exit PN17 status

Health and wellness direct selling company DXN Holdings Bhd (KL:DXN) said on Friday its net profit rose 10.26% in the first quarter from a year earlier due to higher revenue recognised from overall operating segments.&nbsp;

DXN Holdings 1Q net profit up 10.26%, targets market presence in Zambia, Ghana  

Wall Street bounced back on Friday as megacap tech and chip stocks recovered from the week's pummeling, while a largely in-line key inflation reading kept bets for an early start to interest-rate cuts alive.

Upholstery furniture products manufacturer Homeritz Corp Bhd’s (KL:HOMERIZ) net profit surged 46.37% in the third quarter from a year earlier, thanks to higher sales volume and stronger US dollar. &nbsp;

Net profit for three months ended May 31, 2024 (3QFY2024) climbed to RM9.09 million or earnings per share of 1.96 sen, from RM6.21 million or 1.34 sen per share recorded in 3QFY2023. &nbsp;

Homeritz’s 3Q net profit soars 46.37% on higher sales and strong greenback

Cyberview Sdn Bhd has signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with three companies to make Cyberjaya a global technology hub.

Chief executive officer Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad said the companies involved were Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB), Selangor Information Technology &amp; Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC) and digital infrastructure company Equinix Malaysia.

Cyberview signs three MOUs to make Cyberjaya a global technology hub

The developer of a supertall condo tower in Miami’s Brickell neighbourhood has hired a new sales team after ousting an embattled real estate brokerage from the project.

One Sotheby’s International Realty has taken over marketing at 888 Brickell Dolce &amp; Gabbana Miami, JDS Development’s pre-construction building overlooking Biscayne Bay in the city’s financial centre.&nbsp;

SARAWAK expects to formalise a deal to raise its stake in Affin Bank Bhd to about 30% in about a month, according to the state’s premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

In an exclusive interview with The Edge in Kuala Lumpur last Friday (July 19), Abang Johari said the state is committed to...

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof paid a courtesy visit to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday.

"During the meeting with His Excellency, I reaffirmed the commitment of the prime minister and the Malaysian government to continue strengthening cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam," he said in a post on the social media platform X.

Kumpulan Kitacon Bhd (KL:KITACON) has secured a RM54.5 million contract to undertake the construction of 186 terrace houses in Rawang, Selangor.

Kumpulan Kitacon bags RM54.5m job to build houses in Rawang

Treasuries are rising at the end of a volatile week as the Federal Reserve’s favourite inflation gauge cemented traders’ expectations for an interest-rate cut in September.

The advance pushed yields lower across the curve on Friday, with two- and 10-year yields down by about five basis points (bps) to 4.38% and 4.2%, respectively.

Penang Port Sdn Bhd (Penang Port) on Friday announced the acquisition of five Kalmar container handling machines to optimise operations and improve service levels.

Penang Port acquires Kalmar container handling equipment to enhance services

US authorities filed criminal and civil charges against prominent activist short seller Andrew Left for an alleged long-running market manipulation scheme involving bets on stocks including Nvidia and Tesla, they said on Friday.

Malaysia, as the country coordinator for Asean-China Dialogue Relations, will intensify efforts to finalise the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said Malaysia, which assumed the role of country coordinator this year, aims to establish a code of conduct accepted by all parties.

Hungary will face fuel shortages from September if full Russian oil flows are not restored, a government official said on Friday, accusing Ukraine of blackmailing it by partially suspending supplies.

Eastern European Union (EU) members Slovakia and Hungary have been hit by a stop in flows from Russian group Lukoil coming via Ukraine after sanctions were imposed on the company.

Hungary says it will face fuel shortages from September without Lukoil supplies

A new recruitment of 3,950 staff, comprising 3,200 medical officers, 350 dental officers and 400 pharmacy officers, will be made through contract (interim) appointments, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.

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