Global stocks rose on Wednesday as a flurry of new policies from US President Donald Trump combined with robust corporate earnings to bolster investor optimism, while tariff uncertainty kept the dollar near two-week lows.

Stocks get tech boost, tariff uncertainty weighs on dollar 

Global markets greeted Donald Trump's presidency with apprehension on Tuesday in moves that were highly sensitive to headlines over the newly sworn-in president's plans for trade relations and tariffs in particular.

Shares jittery, dollar jumps with Trump's plans for tariffs

The dollar drifted lower and stocks were cautiously positive on Monday as investors waited for an expected flurry of policy announcements in the first hours of Donald Trump's second presidency and eyed a rate hike in Japan at the end of the week.

Dollar dips, stocks creep higher as second Trump term dawns

MSCI's global equities index rose on Friday, while US Treasury yields turned higher with the dollar, as upbeat economic data and earnings appeared to help investors shrug off any jitters ahead of the US presidential inauguration.

Global shares rise with dollar, US bond yields turn higher

European shares rose on Friday and were heading for their biggest one-week jump since September as falling bond yields, stronger-than-forecast China growth figures and upbeat earnings supported riskier assets.

European shares head for best week since September on easing yields, China GDP

Stocks surged on Thursday, extending momentum from the previous session when data showed an easing in core US inflation that raised expectations for Federal Reserve cuts and sent global bond yields lower.

Global stocks rally on lower bond yields

Global markets treaded water on Wednesday ahead of US consumer price data that could potentially shift the monetary policy outlook there, while investors waited to see if earnings of big banks would match sky-high expectations.

Traders mark time ahead of US CPI, bank earnings

European and US futures pointed to a modest bounce on Tuesday, though spiking bond yields and a strong dollar have investors wary of taking too many risks ahead of US inflation data and the start of Donald Trump's second term as US president.

Europe, US stock futures climb while Nikkei slides as US inflation data awaited

Japan’s 40-year government bond (JGB) yield reached an all-time high amid a global debt selloff and expectations that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will hike interest rates in coming months.

The yield rose as much as 3 basis points to 2.755%, the highest since 2007 when the bonds were sold for the first time. Japan’s 20-year yield also rose to its highest since May 2011 on Tuesday morning, after the nation’s markets reopened following a public holiday on Monday.

Japan’s 40-year yield rises to highest since debut in 2007

Global stocks fell on Monday, while the dollar hit 26-month peaks following a bumper US jobs report that prompted investors to question if interest rates will fall at all this year, just as earnings season is about to get underway.

Stocks tumble as traders cast doubt on 2025 rate cut

For those unsettled by the relentless rise in government bond yields in the US and across much of the world lately, the message from markets is getting clearer by the day: Get used to it.

Global bond tantrum a wrenching and worrisome start to new year

Global stocks fell while US treasury yields rose on Friday after a stronger-than-expected jobs data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will likely keep interest rates elevated for longer than traders were betting on.

Treasury yields rise, stock falls pressured by stronger-than-expected US jobs data

Global stocks are likely to rally 10% this year, underpinned by robust corporate earnings growth and equity gains broadening outside the US, according to Citigroup Inc strategists.

Global stocks to rally 10% by end-2025, Citi strategists say

Government bonds remained under pressure on Thursday and the dollar held steady near its highest levels in more than a year as global stocks declined.

Bonds under pressure, stocks fall, with eyes on UK gilts, US policy

The increase in allocation for the Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) to RM10 million this year underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening trade unions in the country, say union leaders.

Union of Pos Malaysia Bhd Uniformed Staff Peninsular Malaysia (UPUS) president Ismail Ali described the allocation as the highest to date and said it would help produce quality leaders for the future.

Trade unions welcome enhanced govt funding for leadership training and development

The Nasdaq led gains among Wall Street's main indices on Wednesday, as investors cheered streaming giant Netflix's strong quarterly performance and President Donald Trump's multi-billion dollar support to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

The benchmark S&P 500 was just shy of surpassing its all-time intra-day high hit in early December.

Nasdaq leads Wall St higher helped by Netflix results, Trump's AI investment plans

Crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed lower on Wednesday, weighed down by concerns over weakening demand from India due to cheaper alternatives, a trader said.

CPO futures close lower on concerns over weakening demand from India

Netflix Inc shares soared to a record high on Wednesday after the streaming giant reported its biggest quarterly subscriber gain in history, buoyed by its first major live sporting events and the return of Squid Game.

The company added 18.9 million customers in the fourth quarter, according to a shareholder letter on Tuesday.

Netflix shares soar to record following huge gain in subscribers

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) crippled a vape smuggling syndicate operating at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Cargo Centre; its activities resulted in an estimated RM8 million tax loss.

MACC busts KLIA vape smuggling syndicate, 14 arrested, RM8 million unpaid taxes

The Kedah state government is terminating the contractor's services for the Sungai Limau Water Treatment Plant project in Baling because the contractor failed to complete the project within the set timeframe.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said all government projects must adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and regulations stipulated by law.

Kedah fires water treatment plant project contractor over delay

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

Sunway, CapitaLand Malaysia Trust, Sentral REIT, AME REIT, Jentayu, Power Root 

Guns may have fallen silent in Gaza, but for Mahmoud Abu Dalfa, the agony is not over. He is desperately searching for the bodies of his wife and five children trapped under the rubble of his house since the early months of the war.

Abu Dalfa's wife and children were among 35 of his extended family who were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit the building in Gaza City's Shejaia suburb in December 2023, he said.

Bereaved Gazans dig out bodies from city ruins, give them graves

All travel agencies, particularly Umrah operators, must have a bank guarantee of RM250,000 to ensure the quality of the services offered and safeguard the welfare of pilgrims.

Malaysia Association Tour Agency (Mata) president Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khalid Harun said this is in line with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s (Motac) proposal to require Umrah operators to possess a minimum bank guarantee of RM250,000.

Travel agencies must have bank guarantee of RM250,000 to operate — Malaysia Association Tour Agency

The Selangor government will hold the 2025 Chinese New Year state-level celebration on Feb 8 at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple grounds in Jenjarom here.

State Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, are scheduled to grace the event, which is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors.

Selangor state-level CNY celebration in Jenjarom on Feb 8

Malaysia's currency hit a six-week high and stocks advanced for a fourth straight session on Wednesday ahead of a central bank policy decision, while a gauge of emerging Asian equities reversed course weighed by China on US tariff plans.

Ringgit extends gains as BNM holds rates; China stocks drag 

Arina, Sime Darby Property Bhd’s (KL:SIMEPROP) first single-storey linked homes in Bandar Ainsdale, achieved full take-up of all 118 units within hours of its launch on Saturday, Jan 18.

Sime Darby Property’s Arina single-storey homes in Bandar Ainsdale fully taken up within hours of launch

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): TechStore Bhd, which provides hardware and software to businesses, has fixed its initial public offering (IPO) price at 20 sen per share ahead of its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

Enterprise hardware and software firm TechStore sets IPO price at 20 sen

Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (EXIM Bank) has filed a lawsuit against instant coffee manufacturer Power Root Bhd (KL:PWROOT), seeking RM7.39 million over an alleged loan default.

According to Power Root’s filing with Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday, EXIM Bank is demanding repayment of RM675,509.22 for funds disbursed to its subsidiaries, namely Power Root (M) Sdn Bhd (PRM), Power Root Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PRMFG) and Power Root ME Free Zone Company (PRME).

Power Root sued by EXIM Bank over RM7.4 mil loan default

HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd has officially opened its flagship wealth centre in&nbsp;Menara IQ at the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Malaysia’s international financial hub,&nbsp;to serve its high-net-worth clients.

HSBC Malaysia opens flagship wealth centre at TRX to serve high-net-worth clients

Analysts are positive on Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust’s (KL:SUNREIT) acquisition of AEON Mall Seri Manjung in Perak, prompting revisions of their earnings forecasts.

Analysts raise Sunway REIT earnings forecasts after AEON Mall acquisition in Perak

SRC International Sdn Bhd’s former director Datuk Suboh Md Yasin told the High Court on Wednesday that he signed four blank cheques that led to RM19.5 million going to Umno and Umno Selangor.

Former SRC director says he signed blank cheques, didn’t know payments were to Umno

A fugitive banker accused of orchestrating a US$1 billion (RM4.45 billion) fraud in Moldova appears to be helping Russian lenders and businesses to continue conducting foreign trade amid payment problems caused by sanctions.

Fugitive banker may be helping Russian firms beat US sanctions

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on Wednesday kept the benchmark interest rate unchanged as widely expected, comfortable with its outlook for sustained economic growth and manageable inflation.

BNM keeps OPR steady, takes comfort in sustained growth

The public portion of ACE Market-bound Northern Solar Holdings Bhd’s initial public offering (IPO) has been oversubscribed by 73.2&nbsp;times.&nbsp;

Northern Solar's IPO oversubscribed by 73.2 times

Datuk Seri Najib Razak denies seeking royalties from the Middle East to help stepson Riza Aziz over his alleged entanglement with 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds, the court heard on Wednesday.

Najib says stepson was already servicing loan from Emerati prince, phone call only to formalise agreement

The&nbsp;industrial subsector&nbsp;is expected to continue&nbsp;its positive trend&nbsp;in 2025,&nbsp;according to&nbsp;Henry Butcher Malaysia&nbsp;chief operating officer Tang Chee Meng. The Henry Butcher Perspective — Malaysia Property Outlook 2025 report, which was&nbsp;launched&nbsp;on Wednesday, noted that&nbsp;the&nbsp;volume of industrial transactions in the first nine months of 2024 (9M2024)&nbsp;increased by 6.5%, while the value rose 22.8%.

Henry Butcher: Malaysia's industrial subsector to continue strong performance

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Mah Sing Group Bhd’s (KL:MAHSING) proposed acquisition of land in Sentul, its first deal of the year, is being done at fair and attractive&nbsp;valuations, analysts said.

Mah Sing's first land deal in 2025 is fair and attractive, analysts say

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak claimed that he was being prosecuted for "being transparent" on how he spent the purported donation from the Middle East.

The now-imprisoned 71-year-old, said that he could have easily utilised the donation monies in the form of cash but did not do so and specifically used cheques because he knew it would be documented.

1MDB-Tanore trial: Najib denies abusing funds, says used cheques to be 'transparent'

President Donald Trump faces a host of headwinds that could thwart his ability to generate a boom for the US economy, according to Harvard University professor Ken Rogoff.

Trump’s plan to trigger boom risks coming undone, Rogoff warns

Malaysia’s international reserves fell by US$700 million by mid-January this year, from a fortnight earlier, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

BNM: Malaysia’s international reserves down to US$115.5b as at mid-January

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he did not interfere with the attorney general’s (AG) prosecutorial discretion while he was prime minister.&nbsp;

Najib claims he was mindful not to interfere in AG's prosecutions 

GEORGE TOWN (Jan 22): Penang International Airport recorded 51.43% higher year-on-year tourist arrivals from India in 2024, reflecting the state government's successful tourism strategies in this market.&nbsp;

Penang Int’l Airport records 51.43% higher tourist arrival from India in 2024

Inflation in Malaysia eased slightly and was marginally slower than expected in December as prices of non-food items and services rose at a more moderate pace, official data released on Wednesday showed.

Malaysia’s inflation in December slows as non-food price pressure eases, official data shows

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): The risk of overbuilding of residential properties would become more apparent in the coming years, particularly in high-growth cities, according to JLL Appraisal &amp; Property Services Sdn Bhd (JLL Malaysia).

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