The Bank of Japan (BOJ) signalled that a rate hike next month still remains on the table, even as cautious views among the majority swayed the stand-pat decision in a policy meeting last week.

BOJ signals January rate hike still on table with lively debate

At first glance, Sony Group Corp’s US$1.2 billion (RM5.4 billion) acquisition of the anime streaming site Crunchyroll in 2021 looks like a success. Subscribers to the US$8-a-month service have tripled to 15 million since then, and the number of new shows has doubled to more than 50 every quarter.

Sony's Crunchyroll finds its early lead in anime under attack

French President Emmanuel Macron is seeking to free his government from the stranglehold of National Rally leader Marine Le Pen by piecing together a coalition of moderates that will last until 2027.

Macron aims to deter French far right with bid to avoid vote

DBS Group Holdings Ltd has beefed up its wealth management team to cater to rich Russians at a time when many global rivals are staying away from the business amid concerns over widening sanction risks.

Singapore's DBS hires private bankers for rich Russians as rivals balk

Ireland goes to the polls on Friday in a vote that looks closer than previously expected, after Prime Minister Simon Harris lost the momentum that motivated him to call the the snap general election just three weeks ago.

Ireland’s election: Tight race expected on Friday as honeymoon ends for PM Harris

An ever-increasing number of UK homes are set to be passed on for free this year, as homeowners seek to escape rising taxes by passing on assets to family members.

Britons give away homes to family in push to escape rising taxes

Donald Trump’s US election victory is seen changing the course of near-term money flows for three of Asia’s largest equity markets as tariff risks loom large over Chinese assets.

Trump’s China threat has investors favouring India, Japan stocks

Days after taking charge of Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, Indonesia’s president needs a plan to deal with rising borrowing costs for key state-owned enterprises (SOEs) carrying US$186 billion (RM814.49 billion) of debt.

Indonesia’s new president faces US$186b debt dilemma

Hong Kong’s home sales uptick is expected to struggle with momentum due to the city’s weak economic outlook and elevated interest rates.

The number of new home transactions in the seven days after chief executive John Lee’s policy address rose 20% compared to the same period earlier, according to data from broker Midland Realty. This comes amid several major launches, such as Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd’s new project in Kai Tak. Prices of second-hand transactions rose 0.5% in the week of the policy address, according to Centaline data.

Hong Kong’s rising home sales still face economic headwinds

Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor Kazuo Ueda said on Thursday optimism over the US economic outlook was broadening but markets remained unstable, offering a mixed view on whether risks to his country's economy were subsiding.

Bank of Japan cautiously upbeat on US outlook, warns of jittery markets

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) may lose its outright majority in the lower house of Parliament for the first time since 2009 in this month’s election, while keeping control of the chamber with the help of its coalition partner, major Japanese media predicted on Thursday.

Japan’s LDP may lose majority for first time since 2009, media forecasts show

The widespread development and use of synthetic fuels is still at least a decade away and depends on the successful deployment of other technologies, according to the latest Horizons report by data and analytics company Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac).

E-fuels offer long-term solution to key energy transition transport sectors, says WoodMac

The strongest element in 2020 — the Year of the Metal Rat — is earth, said Datuk Joey Yap, chief consultant of Joey Yap Consulting Group, at The Edge-RHB Premier Investment Insights Dinner. The presence of this non-moving and safe element means this will be a sluggish year.

“People...

Opportunities and risks in the Year of the Metal Rat

What does the Year of the Metal Rat have in store for investors? Speakers at The Edge-RHB Premier Investment Insights Dinner offer their outlook for 2020.

 

The Year of the Metal Rat is expected to bring new opportunities for investors despite the lingering uncer...

Finding opportunities in the New Year

Tech and growth stocks dragged Wall Street's main indexes lower on Friday, at the end of an upbeat holiday-shortened week driven by expectations around a traditionally strong period for markets.

Wall Street falls as strong holiday-shortened week nears close

SCGM Bhd's (KL:SCGM) substantial shareholders are to inject their agriculture-related business into the cash company in return for RM207.94 million worth of shares as part of the company's regularisation plan.

SCGM formalises injection of agriculture business, proposes 25 sen special dividend 

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

ViTrox, Kim Loong Resources, Crescendo, JcbNext, OCB, Paragon Globe, Tropicana, Asia Poly, Nova MSC, PUC, SCGM

A mystery seller is asking US$200 million (RM893.43 million) for an empty waterfront lot next door to the properties Jeff Bezos bought in South Florida.

The roughly 1.84 acre lot (0.74 hectare) is located at Indian Creek, a man-made barrier island that’s been dubbed “Billionaire Bunker.” Ilya Reznik, who’s brokering the transaction, declined to identify the seller but said they are “willing to negotiate” on price.

Bezos’ Miami neighbour seeking US$200 mil for empty lot

Brazil’s annual inflation unexpectedly slowed in early December as energy costs dropped, giving central bankers limited relief as they pledge two more jumbo interest rate hikes by March.

Official data released on Friday showed consumer prices rose 4.71% from a year earlier, below the 4.83% median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists and the prior reading of 4.77%.

Brazil’s annual inflation unexpectedly slows, giving central bank limited respite

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh instructed the investment ministry and other authorities to work on development scenarios and measures that will enable the country to attain “double-digit” growth in gross domestic product next year.

Vietnam PM seeks steps for double-digit GDP growth next year

Shell has shut down one of its oil processing units at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park on Singapore’s Pulau Bukom to facilitate an investigation into a suspected leak in the system.

Shell shuts down oil processing unit at Singapore's Pulau Bukom to probe leak

A Norwegian shipping company on Friday rejected an accusation from Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, that it refused to rescue sailors from a sinking Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean Sea.

Norwegian shipping firm denies Moscow's claim it refused to help sinking Russian ship

OpenAI, founded a decade ago as a research organisation, is considering a change to the AI company’s structure that would create a more conventional money-making corporation alongside a non-profit arm.

OpenAI mulls plan for more conventional for-profit business 

Over 330 initial public offerings (IPOs), US$20 billion (RM89.34 billion) of proceeds and more than US$160 billion addition in country’s market value, sums up a bumper year for India that is set to further strengthen its position among top global destinations for capital raising.

Roaring debuts cap a bumper year for IPOs in India

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has ordered Bybit Technology Ltd to disable its website and mobile applications in the country as part of enforcement actions against the cryptocurrency exchange.

SC orders Bybit to disable website, apps in Malaysia for operating illegal crypto exchange

Khazanah Nasional Bhd announced on Friday that it has invested in private equity Cambrian Fund and California-based artificial intelligence (AI) firm Syntiant Corp.

In a statement, the sovereign wealth fund said the investment was made through its RM1 billion Dana Impak fund, which aims to drive greater growth and innovation in Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4) technologies and capacity development, and boost research and development (R&amp;D) in AI and semiconductor technologies.

Khazanah announces investments into ViTrox-backed Cambrian Fund and AI firm Syntiant Corp

The proposed adjustment in Peninsular Malaysia’s base electricity tariff under the Regulatory Period 2025-2027 (RP4) is mainly a “rebasing exercise” to reflect higher fuel costs assumption, said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA).

Base electricity tariff adjustment reflects higher fuel costs, won't burden vulnerable groups, says Tenaga

The government will not allow increases in electricity tariffs that would burden the majority of the public, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Electricity tariff adjustment won’t burden majority, says PM

A less-than-perfect debut for the new season of Netflix Inc’s blockbuster series Squid Game sent shares of related South Korean companies sharply lower Friday.

‘Squid Game’ stocks tank in Korea on Netflix new season letdown

PUC Bhd’s (KL:PUC) photography associate Pictureworks International Holdings Ltd has filed for a listing on Nasdaq in the US.

The initial public offering (IPO) of its 27.53%-owned associate has been registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission though the terms such as pricing, number of shares to be offered, and timetable for the public offering were not disclosed.

PUC’s associate Pictureworks files for IPO on Nasdaq in US

Crescendo Corporation Bhd (KL:CRESNDO) reported a more than fivefold increase in net profit for its third quarter, driven by data centre land sales in Nusa Cemerlang Industrial Park (NCIP) in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

Data centre land sales lift Crescendo's 3Q net profit

PAS'&nbsp;move to 'politicise' the recent Christmas celebration&nbsp;at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government was&nbsp;disrespectful to the rights of Malaysia’s multiracial and multi-religious society, according to three DAP leaders.

DAP leaders criticise PAS for 'politicising' Christmas celebration

No decision has been made regarding electricity tariff hikes in Peninsular Malaysia as of now, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

No decision on electricity rate hike just yet — DPM Fadillah

On Nov 20, the Kuala Terengganu Shariah High Court handed down the sentence of six lashes in public for repeated offences of khalwat (close proximity) against a carpenter named Mohd Affendi Awan.

Shariah whipping in public — does it exceed the Shariah Courts’ jurisdiction?

The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has received 114 million e-invoices from 9,000 taxpayers as of Thursday.

IRB corporate services department director Noraini Mustafa said that the response has been very encouraging, particularly in Phase 1, with some companies originally scheduled for Phases 2 and 3 voluntarily participating earlier than required.

IRB says 114 million e-invoices received as of Dec 26

Cocoaland Holdings Bhd co-founder Lau Pak Lam has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in PUC Bhd (KL:PUC) after disposing of 100 million shares or a 3.6% stake in the digital payment solutions provider via a direct business transaction on Dec 23.

PUC changes substantial shareholders

A man was whipped at a mosque in Terengganu on Friday for the Islamic crime of close proximity with a non-family member of the opposite sex, local media reported, in a rare public sentencing.

Man publicly whipped in Terengganu for Islamic crime of close proximity

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) expresses its deep concern over the decision of the Terengganu Shariah Court in the case of Mohd Affendi Awang, a 42-year-old carpenter, who was sentenced to six lashes in public, after being convicted of repeated khalwat (close proximity) offences under Section 31(a) of the Shariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment 2022. This punishment undermines human rights, dignity, and the rule of law. The commission takes note that whipping under shariah laws is different from civil law. Be that as it may, the sentence not only constitutes cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, but also raises serious questions regarding the legality of public whipping under the Federal Constitution and federal law.

Public whipping in Terengganu: A violation of human rights and rule of law

Malaysia's Foreign Ministry through the Embassy of Malaysia in Stockholm, is in constant communication with the Norwegian authorities to gather more information regarding a bus accident near Lake Åsvatnet on Dec 26 which reportedly involved passengers from several countries including Malaysia.

Malaysia sends consular team following bus accident in Norway

Industrial services firm Swift Energy Technology Bhd's initial public offering (IPO) was oversubscribed by 58.09 times for the 50.04 million new shares offered to the public, the issuing house said on Friday.

Swift Energy's IPO shares for public oversubscribed by 58 times

The LED Fantasy Light Carnival held at the Bukit Gambir Multipurpose Hall has been ordered to cease immediately and has been fully shut down.

The Tangkak District Council (MDT), through a post on its Facebook page, announced that an investigation found the organisers had failed to comply with the conditions for holding the carnival, particularly in terms of its sensitivity to the local community.

Tangkak LED Fantasy Light Carnival shut down over Chinese flag on rocket

Penang, Johor, Selangor, Sarawak, and Kuala Lumpur dominated Malaysia’s exports, accounting for 83.8% of the total in November, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Penang, Johor, Selangor, Sarawak and KL the top exporters in November, data show

The staff involved in the Christmas celebration at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) in Putrajaya recently were mostly Christians.&nbsp;

Minister Nga Kor Ming said many of those who sang “Jingle Bells” were Kadazans&nbsp;from Sabah, apart from employees from Sarawak.

Nga says ministry's Christmas celebration involved mostly non-Muslims

Chinese national Huang YongKang has emerged as Asia Poly Holdings Bhd's (KL:ASIAPLY) second biggest shareholder after taking up the entire 95.85 million shares issued under a private placement.&nbsp;

The shares represent a 9.09% stake in the Klang-based cast acrylic sheets manufacturer.

Insight

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