Malaysian banks’ earnings will stay “rangebound” in 2025 as the sector grapples with pressure on profitability and a rise in bad debts, according to S&P Global.

Net interest margins, which measures the difference between interest received on loans and returns paid on deposits, could decline by three-to-five basis points due to intense competition for both loans and deposits, the ratings agency said in a report released on Thursday.

Malaysian banks' has limited upside amid margin pressure, rising bad loans — S&P

Malaysian banks are likely to see net profit growth of between 8% and 9% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the upcoming quarterly results, driven by a significant decline in loan loss provisioning (LLP), according to CGS International.

Banks likely to see quarterly earnings growth of 8% to 9% y-o-y — CGS

The Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA) said it will seek to expand its membership base by revising its constitution to allow digital insurers and takaful operators (DITOs) licence holders to join the association.

Takaful association to welcome more digital insurers as members ahead of licensing process

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 8): The Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA) launched on Friday, a takaful framework dubbed as Hijrah27, aimed at broadening the public understanding of the industry and expanding its reach to underserved segments, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Malaysian Takaful Association launches new framework to enhance industry’s reach

BMI, a unit of the Fitch group, predicts challenges in establishing two sustainable 5G networks in Malaysia, emphasising that investment commitments will be crucial for the second network's viability.

BMI sees challenges for Malaysia's dual 5G networks

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 5): Palm oil prices will strengthen in 2025, as tight supply of edible oil boosts earnings of Malaysian planters, AmInvestment Bank said in recommending that investors add exposure to the sector.

Palm oil prices set to rally in 2025, with AmInvestment now overweight on plantation

(Nov 4): China’s top coal producers are accelerating a move into power generation, as fuel prices drop and electrification takes centre stage in China’s low-carbon transition.

China’s top coal firms lean into power as mining profits slip

(Nov 1): Private credit lenders, including Apollo Global Management-backed MaxCap Group and Pallas Capital, are targeting a bigger slice of lending to Australia’s commercial property sector, as banks curtail their exposure after tighter capital regulations.

Private credit lenders chase growth in Australian real estate

(Nov 1): Macau’s gaming revenue jumped 6.6% in October, rising to a new high since Covid had shut down travel, as China’s national Golden Week holiday fuelled tourism and spending.

Macau gaming revenue soars to new high on Golden Week holiday boost

Malaysia’s consumer sector is on track for substantial growth, driven by consumer-centric measures from Budget 2025 that are set to uplift household income and stimulate spending across key retail segments, said MIDF Research.

MIDF: Malaysia's consumer sector poised for growth with Budget 2025's supportive measures

The construction sector has been urged to focus on sustainable methods, energy-efficient designs and the use of green materials to ensure that the industry thrives economically and contributes positively to the environment and society.

Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia chairman Ir Yusuf Abd Wahab said looking further into the future, it is critical that the construction industry remains aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CIDB calls on construction sector to focus on sustainable method

The government is taking proactive steps to ensure that the construction industry remains competitive and sustainable, amid expectations of rising tender prices, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Govt to ensure construction sector stays competitive, sustainable — PM

The glove industry is poised for a positive outlook despite cost pressures brought on by measures in Budget 2025, said CIMB Securities in a statement on Wednesday.

CIMB positive glove industry can pass on cost increases to consumers

Malaysia’s plantation sector companies will be negatively impacted by Budget 2025 announcements, including rise in minimum wage, multi-tier system on foreign worker levies, as well as the increase in crude palm oil (CPO) export duty rate, analysts said.

Budget 2025 measures net negative to plantation sector but minimum wage impact priced in, say analysts

Reddit was down for thousands of users on Thursday, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com, a day after the social media company said it had fixed a software bug.

Downdetector, which tracks outages by collating status reports from several sources including users, showed more than 14,000 reports of outages.

Reddit down for thousands of users, Downdetector shows

The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) will continue to enforce compliance through audits and investigations to detect any non-compliance among taxpayers in Malaysia.

LHDN deputy chief executive officer (Compliance) Datuk Hisham Rusli said that all actions are carried out in accordance with the laws set forth.

IRB committed to improving tax compliance via  audits, probes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza, adding to pressure on the country’s leadership over the conduct of its military campaign against Hamas.

ICC issues arrest warrant for Israel’s Netanyahu on Gaza ‘war crimes’

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made the news on Thursday.

Petron, DRB-Hicom, Dayang Enterprise, AEON, 7-Eleven, MSM, Hap Seng Consolidated, SunCon, UEM Sunrise, Mega First, Oriental, Heitech Padu, Can-One, Atlan, Maxim, Thong Guan, Globetronics

Thailand is taking steps to attract more foreign investment to accelerate economic growth while preparing to adjust its policies to cope with potential changes to world trade under a Trump presidency, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said.

Thailand seeks foreign investment as PM plans for Trump era

Volkswagen AG faces a growing threat of widespread walkouts as executives and unionists dig in over how to restructure Europe’s biggest automaker.

Labour leaders are offering €1.5 billion (RM7.08 billion) in additional cost cuts — including foregoing some bonuses — to keep factories open, after management dangled the idea of closures.

VW lurches closer to walkouts after talks with union deadlocked

Baidu Inc recorded its biggest revenue drop in more than two years after China’s economic malaise undermined its push into generative AI.

Chinese AI pioneer Baidu posts biggest sales fall since 2022

Magnum Bhd (KL:MAGNUM) reported a slight dip in net profit in the July-Sept period as income tax and other expenses increased, but cushioned by better income generated by its gaming and investment holdings and other segments.

Magnum posts marginally lower net profit in 3Q, amid higher tax and other expenses, declares 1.5 sen dividend

UBS has seen weak European growth hit companies it lends to, CFO Todd Tuckner said on Thursday, with the bank facing a 2024 credit loss expense of some 150 million Swiss francs (US$170 million or RM757.72 million) in its personal and corporate banking business.

UBS flags 'sluggish' Europe growth as it takes US$170m credit hit

Emmanuel Macron’s ill-fated June gamble on snap elections has plunged French businesses into prolonged gloom, clouding the president’s seven-year effort to transform the country into a hub for investment.

French business’s election gloom casts long shadow over outlook

IOI Properties Group Bhd (KL:IOIPG) has officially relaunched the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel in IOI Resort City last week after completing a RM100 million renovation.

Sitting on 6.5 acres of land, the five-star Putrajaya Marriott Hotel is managed by IOI Properties and comprises 487 guest rooms, including 35 exclusive suites. The renovations took place from Feb 2023 till Nov 2024 and were carried out in phases. The massive undertaking focused on the refitting and renewal of its guest rooms, lobby, restaurants and private villa.

IOI Properties relaunches Putrajaya Marriott Hotel after RM100m renovation

Sime Darby Property Bhd (KL:SIMEPROP) is working urgently with authorities to help resolve the recurring flood incidents in Bandar Bukit Raja, said managing director Datuk Seri Azmir Merican.

Tackling floods in Bandar Bukit Raja a top priority, says Sime Darby Property

Globetronics Technology Bhd (KL:GTRONIC) has inked an agreement valued at RM145 million to provide integrated circuit (IC) product packaging, testing and backend services to Taiwan-based ChipMOS Technologies Inc.

Globetronics secures RM145 mil contract to provide assembly and test services to Taiwan’s ChipMOS

China's Huawei plans to start mass-producing its most advanced artificial intelligence chip in the first quarter of 2025, even as it struggles to make enough chips due to US restrictions, said two people familiar with the matter.

Huawei aims to mass-produce newest AI chip in early 2025, despite US curbs

China has found gold reserves worth 600 billion yuan (US$82.9 billion or RM370.9 billion) in central Hunan province, state outlet Xinhua news said on Thursday.

China finds US$83b worth of gold reserves in Hunan 

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): E-services provider MyEG Services Bhd’s (KL:MYEG) earnings are expected to continue to be boosted by contributions from its Zetrix-related applications, prompting an earnings upgrade from at least one analyst.&nbsp;

Zetrix-related services to continue to boost MyEG’s earnings — analysts

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday that about 70% to 80% of the costs of his official trips to five countries over the past two weeks were paid by private companies.

Private firms paid up to 80% of costs for recent official trips abroad, Anwar tells Dewan Rakyat

Atlan Holdings Bhd's (KL:ATLAN) Singapore-listed subsidiary Duty Free International Ltd (DFIL), which plans to challenge the compulsory acquisition of two plots of land in Kedah by the Malaysian government, announced on Thursday that it had received RM69.6 million as compensation for the land.

The sum was received from the Home Affairs Ministry, which is force-buying the plot from DFIL's wholly-owned Cergasjaya Sdn Bhd and Cergasjaya Properties Sdn Bhd, on Monday (Nov 18).&nbsp; DFIL itself is 75.53% owned by Atlan.

Home Affairs Ministry pays Atlan RM69.6 mil for compulsory purchase of its Kedah plot

Sugar producer MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:MSM) continued to record losses for the second consecutive quarter, after the group reported a RM49.75 million net loss for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024).

MSM Malaysia continues to bleed for the second consecutive quarter

In his first global meetings since Donald Trump was reelected to lead the US, Chinese President Xi Jinping went on a diplomatic offensive, hedging against expected new tariffs and preparing to exploit potential future rifts between Washington and its allies.

Bracing for Trump tariffs, China's Xi makes diplomatic push at global summits

Thong Guan Industries Bhd (KL:TGUAN) has proposed a seven sen per share special dividend from proceeds of the sale of its food and beverage (F&amp;B) business to its largest shareholder Foremost Equals Sdn Bhd for RM60 million.

Thong Guan proposes seven sen dividend from proceeds of sale of F&B business to major shareholder for RM60m

Oil company Petron Malaysia Refining &amp; Marketing Bhd (KL:PETRONM) suffered a 94.3% drop in its third-quarter net profit, on lower sales volume due to a correction in domestic fuel demand following the implementation of the retail diesel targeted subsidy in June this year.

Petron Malaysia's 3Q net profit down 94% on lower sales volume, oil prices

AEON Co (M) Bhd (KL:AEON), a general merchandise store and supermarket chain operator, saw its net profit rise 35.4% to RM18.79 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024) from RM13.88 million a year earlier on higher revenue.

AEON Co 3Q net profit up 35% with growth across all segments

Heitech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) recorded a net profit of RM6.58 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024), compared with a net loss of RM1.4 million in the corresponding quarter, thanks to a one-off gain on disposal of land and building.

Heitech Padu posts 3Q profit on land, building disposal gain

Automotive seat maker Feytech Holdings Bhd (KL:FEYTECH) has failed to buy a piece of land in the Klang Valley, resulting in a delay in the construction of its new corporate office with a manufacturing plant and warehouse.

Feytech delays construction of head office, manufacturing plant after land deal fails

Oil and gas services provider Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd (KL:DAYANG) said it will continue to deliver outstanding performance after posting a record high net profit for its third quarter, which surged 76.67% year-on-year.

Dayang says will continue delivering outstanding performance after 3Q profit hits record

A summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Thursday.

FBM KLCI down 0.59% to 1,588.68 on Nov 21, 2024

PETALING JAYA&nbsp;(Nov 21): Car upholstery maker Pecca Group Bhd (KL:PECCA) is negotiating to expand its replacement equipment manufacturing business to more foreign markets, including Australia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Pecca seeks international expansion, eyes orders from Malaysia’s first EV

Baidu Inc recorded its biggest revenue drop in more than two years after China’s economic malaise undermined its push into generative AI.

Sunway Construction Group Bhd (KL:SUNCON) posted a 32.71% jump in its net profit for its third quarter on the accelerated progress of its data centre projects.

Net profit for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024) rose to RM46.47 million from RM35.01 million in 3QFY2023, as revenue rose 28.48% to RM865.33 million from RM673.51 million, its Thursday bourse filing showed.

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