TOKYO/SEOUL (Jan 21): Shares of Japanese automakers and South Korean battery makers fell on Tuesday, after US President Donald Trump said he could impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico soon and revoked the previous administration's executive order on electric vehicles (EVs).

Some Asian car, battery makers hit as Trump gets to work

China indicated that sanctions on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wouldn’t impact official exchanges, in a sign that Beijing seeks to negotiate with the Trump administration over trade and other disputes.

China signals willingness to speak with sanctioned Marco Rubio

UK employment plunged in the weeks after Labour increased payroll taxes in its first budget, reinforcing the case for the Bank of England (BOE) to continue cutting interest rates.

UK wage growth hits six-month high ahead of crunch central bank meeting

A who’s who of the world’s wealthiest people surrounded US President Donald Trump as he took the oath of office — gathering a combined net worth exceeding US$1.3 trillion (RM5.8 trillion) for the occasion.

The new order: Tech billionaires worth US$1.3 tril at Trump inauguration

Nomura Holdings Inc’s wholesale division chief expects the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to raise interest rates this week while taking a “cautious approach” to further hikes.

Nomura’s Willcox expects Bank of Japan to raise rates this week

Malakoff Corporation Bhd (KL:MALAKOF) will likely see a weaker fourth quarter, as fuel margin losses from falling coal prices may prompt the power company to book higher provisions, said AmInvestment Bank.

Malakoff likely to see weaker 4Q on fuel margin losses, AmInvestment flags

The Johor-Singapore special economic zone (SEZ) is set to lift Johor’s GDP to RM250 billion by 2030, according to ANZ Research.

JS-SEZ to lift Johor's GDP to RM250b by 2030 — ANZ Research

After bracing for a torrent of tariffs by Donald Trump from his first day in office, investors in Chinese assets are breathing a sigh of relief — at least for now. 

Chinese stocks advanced as the US president fell short of announcing immediate action against the Asian rival, even as he threatened tariffs of as much as 25% on Mexico and Canada by Feb 1. Trump declined to say when he would impose additional levies on China.

Chinese stocks rise as Trump holds off on day-one tariffs

Malaysia's automotive sector total industry volume is expected to normalise to a three-year low of 780,000 units this year, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association’s (MAA) projection, having hit a record 816,747 units in 2024.

MAA sees 2025 vehicle sales at three-year low after 2024 TIV hits new record

Datasonic Group Bhd's (KL:DSONIC) one-year extensions for passport supply and biodata page contracts have come within expectations, but the company's share price has been weighed down by the absence of long-term contract extensions.

Contract renewals boost Datasonic's prospects, say analysts

DAVOS, Switzerland (Jan 20): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here on Monday for a three-day working visit to attend the high-level World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit 2025.

Anwar arrives in Davos for World Economic Forum annual meeting

Country Garden Holdings Co’s shares jumped as they resumed trading in Hong Kong Tuesday following a nine-month suspension, after the Chinese property giant pledged to clinch a deal with creditors on a debt restructuring plan.

Country Garden shares jump as trading resumes amid debt plan 

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Aluminium smelting and extrusion facility, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd’s (KL:PMETAL) fourth quarterly earnings are expected to come in a range of RM375 million to RM400 million, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB).

Press Metal’s 4Q earnings to be boosted by associate PT Bintan’s contribution amid high alumina prices, says HLIB

Malaysia's exports are expected to continue growing in the coming months as external demand picks up ahead of potential US tariffs that will disrupt global trade, economists said.

Malaysia’s external trade may pick up as exporters, importers stay ahead of Trump tariffs — economists 

UOA Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:UOAREIT) posted a 8.55% increase in net rental income for the fourth quarter on improved occupancy.

Net rental income rose to RM20.36 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2024 (4QFY2024), from RM18.76 million in the same period a year earlier, according to the office and commercial property trust’s bourse filing.

UOA REIT's 4Q rental income rises 8.5% on improved occupancy, declares 3.24 sen DPU

(Jan 21): Investor confidence in Germany’s economy fell more than expected before next month’s snap election, underscoring persistent doubts in the country’s ability to escape its current bout of stagnation.

The ZEW institute’s index of expectations dropped to 10.3 in January from ...

German investor outlook sours as economy fails to gain momentum

(Jan 21): Booming credit markets are throwing private equity firms a lifeline as they strive to return cash to investors: Instead of relying on the IPO market, they can pile portfolio companies with more debt and give themselves a payout.

Dividend recapitalizations, where a firm bo...

Private equity has a plan if IPOs, sales don't work: More debt

A fire at a ski resort hotel in Türkiye's Bolu mountains killed 66 people on Tuesday and forced panicked guests to jump out of windows in the middle of the night.

Some 51 people were also injured, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said at the Kartalkaya ski resort in northwest Türkiye.

Fire at Turkish ski resort kills 66, forces guests to jump from windows

EVENING 5: DC-related stocks, AI proxies jump as Trump holds off on immediate tariffs

Data centre-related stocks and proxies to artificial intelligence (AI) on Bursa Malaysia rebounded on Tuesday, driven by expectations of gradual approach to tariff policies by the new Donald Trump’s US administration. 

Trump's future policies are expected to be less aggressive compared to his previous term, with the possibility of reversing some of the restrictions imposed by Joe Biden, said Rakuten Trade head of research Kenny Yee.

Data centre-linked stocks, AI proxies rebound amid expectations of Trump’s gradual tariff implementation 

Treasuries rallied as fears that Donald Trump’s policies will fuel inflation eased, after the US president refrained from imposing China-specific tariffs for now.

The 10-year US yield fell as much as 10 basis points to 4.53% on Tuesday, as the market reopened after a US holiday. Meanwhile, the dollar rallied as Trump said he still plans to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada from next month, which sent currencies from both countries tumbling over 1%.

US bonds rise as tariff respite for China eases inflation fears

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

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

The UK received record orders for its first syndicated bond sale since borrowing costs spiked earlier this month, offering some respite to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves.

UK sale of 2040 bond smashes record with £119b of demand

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said China will import more products, hours after US President Donald Trump left the economy out of countries he’s looking to hit with tariffs imminently.

China vice premier vows to import more after dodging US tariffs

Payment under Phase 1 of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah&nbsp;or Rahmah Cash Donation (STR) will be disbursed in stages from Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah's Phase 1 payment starts on Wednesday

THE days of “super big profits” once enjoyed by Sime Darby Bhd (KL:SIME) in China’s car market are over, but the automotive and industrial equipment trading company remains confident in its long-term prospects.

Executive director and group CEO Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson still believes ...

Special Report: China’s car-making juggernaut keeps Sime Darby CEO up at night

RichTech Digital Bhd, which distributes electronic reloads and provides bill payment services, has launched the prospectus for its ACE Market initial public offering (IPO) to raise up to RM20 million.

RichTech launches ACE Market IPO prospectus, seeks to raise up to RM20m

The two sons of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have together declared assets worth RM1.2 billion to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Mahathir's two sons declare RM1.2 bil assets to MACC — Bloomberg

President Donald Trump wasted no time announcing steps to implement many of his campaign pledges, including on immigration, energy, the military and federal workforce, casting many as reversing the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden.

A rundown of Trump’s executive actions, from tariffs to immigration

Datuk Seri Najib Razak claimed that the legality of the government task force investigating the multi-billion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) debacle was questionable.

Najib claims 1MDB govt task force disbanded due to unlawfulness

A who’s who of the world’s wealthiest people surrounded US President Donald Trump as he took the oath of office — gathering a combined net worth exceeding US$1.3 trillion (RM5.8&nbsp;trillion) for the occasion.

The government is reviewing a more targeted approach to assist the public, replacing the method of providing toll-free travel during festive seasons, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

No more toll-free travel during festive seasons — minister

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Aluminium smelting and extrusion facility, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd’s (KL:PMETAL) fourth quarterly earnings are expected to come in a range of RM375 million to RM400 million, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB).

Malaysia’s National Water Services Commission (SPAN) on Tuesday raised concerns over the extensive, unsustainable use of potable water by data centres in the country.

SPAN calls out data centres for unsustainable use of potable water 

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak insisted that 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) benefitted the nation despite the crippling debt forced upon it, according to his court testimony on Tuesday.

Najib maintains 1MDB benefitted country, despite overwhelming debt

Datuk Seri Najib Razak does not appear to see anything wrong with getting updates on the then-ongoing investigations into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

Najib sees nothing wrong with getting updates on investigations involving him

A tariff war with the US will cut into economic growth of a trading bloc of Southeast Asian nations, China, Japan and South Korea, according to a regional macroeconomic surveillance organisation.

Retaliatory tariffs against US could shave Asean+3 growth by up to 2%, AMRO warns

Oil and gas pipes supplier&nbsp;Saliran&nbsp;Group Bhd has entered into an underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities, in conjunction with its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saliran Group inks underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities for ACE Market IPO

KLANG (Jan 21): Section 2 of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) will be opened to traffic starting midnight on Wednesday (Jan 22), which will complement Port Klang as the largest logistics hub in Southeast Asia.

Section 2 of West Coast Expressway opens at midnight, toll-free for a month

<h2>Notable filings</h2>

From Dec 30, 2024, to Jan 3, notable filings on shareholding changes at Bursa Malaysia-listed companies include those at Berjaya Corp Bhd (KL:BJCORP) which saw Kossan Holdings Sdn Bhd cease being a substantial shareholder of the consumer conglomerate.<...

Insider Moves: Berjaya Corp Bhd, Sunway Bhd, HIL Industries Bhd, Mestron Holdings Bhd, Malakoff Corp Bhd, Velocity Capital Partner Bhd 

YNH Property Bhd (KL:YNHPROP) is disposing of a two-storey shopping centre, AEON Mall Seri Manjung in Perak, to Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:SUNREIT) for RM138 million. &nbsp;

YNH to sell AEON Mall Seri Manjung to Sunway REIT for RM138m

Pansar Bhd (KL:PANSAR) has secured a RM477.69 million highway construction job from the Sarawak Public Works Department.

The contract, awarded to its wholly owned subsidiary Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd via an invited tender, involves the design and construction of the Serian-Gedong-Samarahan dual carriageway highway.&nbsp;

Pansar bags RM478 mil highway construction job in Sarawak

Malaysia's automotive sector total industry volume is expected to normalise to a three-year low of 780,000 units this year, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association’s (MAA) projection, having hit a record 816,747 units in 2024.

For President Xi Jinping, the stage was set for an explosive start to Donald Trump’s presidency, after he campaigned on a promise to punish China with tariffs. Instead, the American leader’s first day back in office bought Beijing some unexpected breathing room.

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