Donald Trump wants to be a weak-dollar president. But he’s running on a strong-dollar platform.

Trump wants a weaker dollar

Private credit funds are diversifying into Latin America to drum up new investors as the US$1.7 trillion (RM7.93 trillion) industry endures the worst fundraising slump since 2020.

Private credit funds identify Latin America as the next frontier

Group of 20 (G20) finance chiefs are set to leave Brazil’s controversial plan for a global billionaires tax to future summits, pledging in a draft communique to continue discussions after debating the idea this week in Rio de Janeiro.

G20 finance chiefs punt on billionaire tax in draft communique

A global consumer backtrack from post-pandemic revenge spending is starting to hit companies’ top and bottom lines.

Revenge spending zapped by consumers tapped out on high prices

The Bank of England (BOE) will trim bank rate to 5% next week, a majority of economists said in a Reuters poll, and with inflation expected to hover around target, it will embark on a slow and steady reduction path with one more cut this year.

Economists say BOE to trim bank rate on Aug 1 and once more this year

Britain’s private sector companies reported a surge in confidence, hiring and new orders after Labour’s landslide election victory, a sign the new government may enjoy stronger growth.

S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 52.7 in July, up from 52.3 the previous month. It was a two-month high and slightly above economists’ expectations. Readings above 50 indicate growth.

UK business confidence and orders grow after Labour election win

Germany’s private sector unexpectedly contracted in July as country’s manufacturing malaise worsened — undermining hopes that growth will pick up in the second half of the year. 

S&P Global’s purchasing manager index (PMI) fell to 48.7 from 50.4 in the previous month, back below the 50 threshold signalling growth.

German factories push private sector into surprise slump

(July 24): Blackstone Inc. is “doubling down” on opportunities in its international credit business, as it targets growth in a broader array of debt including local-currency investments, according the firm’s global credit head.

“There’s a lot more to do for us in Europe and in Asia...

Blackstone bets on growth in private credit business outside US

Randstad NV, the world’s largest recruiter, says continued macroeconomic uncertainty has resulted in businesses not having enough confidence to make big decisions around investments and hiring.

World’s largest recruiter says clients don’t have enough confidence to hire

Global efforts to tame ballooning risks outside the banking system are losing steam, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) said on Monday, with a top official warning it will take longer than expected to get a full picture of vulnerabilities at hedge funds, private credit firms and other investors.

Global efforts to curb financial risks outside banks are losing momentum, FSB warns

The gender pay gap is set to persist in the foreseeable future, contradicting trend-based forecasts that predict that incomes between men and women are converging, a recent study shows.

The narrowing of the pay gap between the mid-1970s and the early 2000s in most high-income economies was driven by lower earnings differentials between male and female labour market entrants, according to findings published by the Centre for Economic Policy Research.

Study shows gender pay gap might never disappear in US, UK 

Geopolitical rivalries, including brewing trade battles between the US and China, now trump inflation as the biggest worry for sovereign wealth funds and central banks managing some US$22 trillion (RM103 trillion) in assets, an Invesco survey published on Monday showed.

Geopolitics overtakes inflation at top of sovereign wealth fund worry list

Patchy progress on implementing reforms to make money market funds and other types of "non-banks" safer has left the global financial system vulnerable to more shocks, the G20's risk watchdog said on Monday.

Vulnerabilities in non-banks leave door open to 'shocks', says G20 watchdog 

The bond-market tremors came two weeks and two continents apart.

Bigger debt loads and erratic politics haunt bond markets

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;

KUCHING (July 26): Türkiye is committed to expanding&nbsp;its bilateral partnership with Malaysia and&nbsp;seeking to explore collaborations in high-tech and green energy industries in Sarawak, said Turkish Ambassador to&nbsp;Malaysia Emir&nbsp;Salim Yuksel.&nbsp;

Türkiye seeks collab with Sarawak on high-tech, green energy — Turkish Ambassador

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.

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...

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.

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

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.

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