Global fabless semiconductor companies and foundries rely on their production and assembly facilities in East Asia and Southeast Asia to manufacture 73% of their chips and semiconductor equipment. East Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan have developed a mature chip ecosy...

Condivergence: Chip packaging’s place in Malaysia’s semiconductor strategy

CelcomDigi Bhd (KL:CDB) CEO Datuk Idham Nawawi plainly admits that the group prefers to lead the second 5G network rather than take over the existing 5G network under state-owned Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) when Malaysia transitions to a dual network model for 5G versus a single wholesale network ...

Why CelcomDigi prefers to lead second 5G network

I have known Leslie Lopez since the early 1990s, when he was starting to make a name for himself as a business journalist. And he was a good journalist, tenacious and a good storyteller. Over the past 30 years, he has worked for international news organisations and, most importantly for a journal...

An Open Letter: A rebuttal to Leslie Lopez’s allegation of a political conspiracy and his claim that he wrote the first major news exposé on 1MDB 

MALAYSIA needs to hasten a slew of reforms to raise wages and break the stagnating labour share of income ahead of an impending rise in the cost of living in a briskly growing economy, say economists.

While unemployment in the country hovers at around 3%, a level considered near full em...

Malaysia needs urgent reforms as higher cost of living looms, say economists

THE competition for an urban mobility infrastructure project to serve the southern Johor region is set to intensify as telecommunications and technology company, Theta Edge Bhd (KL:THETA), has switched over to a rival consortium. This move strengthens the grouping consisting of LBS Bina Bhd (KL:L...

Theta Edge’s move to rival consortium may raise competition for Johor mobility project

Genting Malaysia Bhd

Target price: RM3.30 BUY

Brokers Digest: Local Equities - Genting Malaysia Bhd, Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd, Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd

Notable filings

Over the week of Sept 30 to Oct 4, among the notable changes in shareholding in companies publicly traded on Bursa Malaysia were those at poultry product producer Lay Hong Bhd (KL:LAYHONG).

On Oct 2, Japan-based NH Foods Ltd ceased to be a su...

Insider Moves: Lay Hong Bhd, Magna Prima Bhd, PRG Holdings Bhd, AppAsia Bhd, CTOS Digital Bhd, Farm Fresh Bhd 

COMING to two years since completing its merger that gave it the No 1 spot among Malaysian listed telecommunications companies and a wide market share lead versus rivals, CelcomDigi Bhd (KL:CDB) CEO Datuk Idham Nawawi says the group is reaping merger synergies and economies of scale, but admits m...

CelcomDigi says merger synergies target ‘on track’ despite revised 2024 guidance

Malaysia’s economy is experiencing a robust recovery, marked by significant growth in key sectors and improvements in labour market indicators. The first half of 2024 has seen substantial economic expansion, with GDP growth rates of 4.2% in the first quarter and 5.9% in the second quarter. The Wo...

My Say: Let workers share in Malaysia’s economic success

PENANG-based Northeast Group Bhd is expected to make its public debut on Tuesday, Oct 15, the 30th company to list on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia this year.

The precision component manufacturer’s initial public offering (IPO) recorded an oversubscription of 73.42 times for the 37 m...

IPO Watch: Northeast eyes factory expansion from IPO proceeds

The appointment of Datin Nooryana Najwa Najib, daughter of jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as a director of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) needs some explaining.

Frankly Speaking: Has Nooryana done anything to deserve Matrade appointment?

A year after the latest escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has not stopped since 1948, Gaza is still burning. The images of tents outside the Al-Aqsa hospital, which were burnt with people dying in them, after yet another Israeli air raid in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, and a...

My Say: No ceasefire and de-escalation in sight, instead full-blown war in the Middle East looms

AFTER decades of organic growth in Malaysia, Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK) pulled a surprise last week by announcing its first big merger and acquisition (M&A) since acquiring Hock Hua Bank Bhd in early 2001.

In a packed press conference last Thursday (Oct 10), managing director and C...

Teh family’s restricted offering of Public Bank shares seen as move to deter mergers 

NATIONAL oil company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is close to awarding RM8 billion to RM10 billion worth of contracts as part of its maintenance, construction and modification (MCM) initiatives, sources familiar with the matter tell The Edge.

It is understood that a number of compa...

Petronas to dish out up to RM10b worth of jobs

(Oct 23): Donald Trump has rejoined the Bloomberg Billionaires Index for the first time since Aug. 6 as his media startup’s stock surges alongside his odds in political betting markets.

The former president’s fortune rose to $6.5 billion Tuesday, ranking him 481st on the l...

Trump enters world’s 500 richest list for first time in 11 weeks

Investors counting on corporate results to give China’s stock rally a fresh leg up may have to look beyond the current quarter for clues, given an ailing economy and constraints on stimulus efforts.

While forward earnings per share projections for members of China’s benchmark CSI 300 Index have seen an upward revision of about 1.5% since a September trough, they remain close to a six-year low, Bloomberg-compiled data show. The gauge has pared some gains from a 35% surge since the September low as traders await further fiscal measures.

China’s historic stock jump unlikely to find support in earnings

Analysts have raised their earnings forecasts and target prices (TPs) after Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) grew its order book to RM28.7 billion after securing a NT$32 billion (RM4.3 billion) contract for the Xizhi Donghu Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project in Taiwan.

Analysts raise forecasts after Gamuda boosts order book to RM28.7b with Taiwan MRT job

US billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk warned of the risk of the United States going bankrupt if government spending is not cut, reported Sputnik, reported by Bernama-Sputnik.

Musk warns of risks of US going bankrupt — report

Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) has expressed its commitment to focusing on improving training and recruitment to address the increasing demand and complexity of modern aircraft.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) said that MAB has also strengthened its competitive salary offerings to attract new workers and retain existing employees while also implementing a recruitment process directly from the market.

MAB focuses on enhancing training, hiring workers to address demand, modern aircraft

Bankrupt Tupperware Brands agreed on Tuesday to sell its business to a group of lenders for US$23.5 million (RM101.99 million) in cash and over US$63 million in debt relief, cancelling its plans for an open-market auction of its assets.

Tupperware cancels auction, agrees to lender takeover

Three companies had met all the requirements to participate in the online bidding on June 16, 2024 for a pilot project to supply renewable energy (RE) across borders to Singapore via Energy Exchange Malaysia (ENEGEM).

The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) said that two Singaporean companies were successful in their bid to secure 100 megawatts (MW) of green electricity, with cross-border supply agreements currently being finalised.

Three companies qualify for online bid to supply renewable energy

South Africa sees Russia as a valued ally, President Cyril Ramaphosa said at a bilateral meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, on the eve of the BRICS summit of emerging economies that will take place in the Russian city of Kazan.

South Africa sees Russia as a valued ally, Ramaphosa tells Putin

The last time US government bonds sold off this much as the Federal Reserve started cutting interest rates, Alan Greenspan was orchestrating a rare soft landing.

Treasuries plunge like it’s 1995 as traders see soft landing

Stocks struggled in late hours after downbeat news from some key American companies, with traders also mulling prospects for a slower pace of Federal Reserve rate cuts.

A US$600 billion exchange-traded fund tracking the S&amp;P 500 (SPY) wavered after the close of regular trading.

Stocks struggle in late hours as McDonald’s slumps

Gold prices jumped to record high and the dollar was on the rise again on Wednesday, keeping the pressure on the yen and the euro, while stocks in Asia stuttered as investors were reluctant to place major bets ahead of a hotly contested US election.

Stocks stumble, dollar and gold rise as traders weigh US rates, election

In April, sovereign fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd announced RM1 billion in ‘national fund-of-funds’ initiatives at the KL20 Summit to support local venture capital funds and attract international managers. With the increased interest from both domestic and foreign investors in Malaysia’s start-up ecosystem, a crucial question arises: Are there enough investment- or IPO-ready private companies in the country?

Are Malaysian private companies investment-ready?

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russia's Vladimir Putin that the international situation was gripped by chaos but that Beijing's strategic partnership with Moscow was a force for stability amid the most significant changes seen in a century.

Xi tells Putin the world is in chaos but friendship with Russia will endure

HSBC Holdings plc’s new chief executive officer just unveiled the biggest overhaul of the company in at least a decade, but it was missing some key details for employees and investors.

HSBC revamp by new CEO Elhedery stumps staffers, investors alike

&nbsp;Top financial regulators around the globe are voicing concern about private credit valuations, whether lenders are hiding troubled loans, and the deep entanglement between private markets and insurance money.&nbsp;

“Valuation risks are where we see a core issue,” Andrew Dean, the co-chief of the Division of Enforcement Asset Management at the US Securities and Exchange Commission, said.

Top regulators call out valuation risks in private credit

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the US election is creating “high uncertainty” for markets and policymakers, given the sharply divergent trade priorities of the candidates.

US election creates ‘high uncertainty’ for fragile markets, IMF says

A total of 7,400 companies have adopted the e-invoice system, with 58 million e-invoices issued as of Oct 14, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

This reflects the positive reception among companies in complying with the implementation of e-invoicing, the ministry said.

7,400 companies using e-invoice system, 58 mil e-invoices issued as at Oct 14 — MOF

Japan’s 40-year government bond yield climbed to its highest level in 16 years amid growing speculation that the nation’s central bank will push ahead with interest rate increases in coming months.

Japan’s 40-year yield rises to highest since 2008 on BOJ outlook

Three companies had met all the requirements to participate in the online bidding on June 16, 2024 for a pilot project to supply renewable energy (RE) across borders to Singapore via Energy Exchange Malaysia (ENEGEM).

The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) said that two Singaporean companies were successful in their bid to secure 100 megawatts (MW) of green electricity, with cross-border supply agreements currently being finalised.

Tokyo Metro Co’s stock soared 36% in its trading debut on Wednesday after the initial public offering (IPO) drew strong demand from investors.

Tokyo Metro shares soar 36% on trading debut after strong IPO

Arm Holdings plc is cancelling a licence that allowed longtime partner Qualcomm Inc to use Arm intellectual property to design chips, escalating a legal dispute over vital smartphone technology.

Arm to cancel Qualcomm chip design licence in escalation of feud

The institutional reform agenda, the construction of a new nuclear reactor and the misappropriation of subsidised diesel in the country will be among the matters discussed in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

Institutional reform agenda among highlights of Parliament on Wednesday

One person died and dozens fell ill from E coli infections linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers in 10 states, led by Colorado, where 26 people were sickened, the US Centers for Disease Control said on Tuesday.

E coli outbreak tied to McDonald's Quarter Pounder kills one, sickens dozens in US

The chief executive officer (CEO) of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) and his wife are among 22 individuals who will be charged in the Selayang Sessions Court on Wednesday.

According to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, all of them will be charged under Section 130V (1) of the Penal Code for being members of an organised crime group.

Top GISBH leader, wife among 22 individuals to be charged on Wednesday

Bankrupt Tupperware Brands agreed on Tuesday to sell its business to a group of lenders for US$23.5 million (RM101.99 million) in cash and over US$63 million in debt relief, cancelling its plans for an open-market auction of its assets.

The last time US government bonds sold off this much as the Federal Reserve started cutting interest rates, Alan Greenspan was orchestrating a rare soft landing.

Donald Trump touted his pledge to provide tax breaks for purchasing cars, highlighting that the benefit would only apply to vehicles made in the US as he rallied voters in a crucial swing state with just two weeks until Election Day.

Trump excludes Asian, European cars from vehicle tax-break plan

Bank of America Corp chief executive officer Brian Moynihan has urged Federal Reserve (Fed) policymakers to be measured in the magnitude of interest rate reductions.

Bank of America CEO urges Fed to not go too hard on rates

US billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk warned of the risk of the United States going bankrupt if government spending is not cut, reported Sputnik, reported by Bernama-Sputnik.

Edge Weekly

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Edge Weekly

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