AmInvestment Bank has cut earnings forecasts for most banks by 2.9% to 9.4% for financial year 2025 (FY2025) and FY2026, citing concerns over higher credit costs from slower economic growth and ongoing US-China trade tensions.

The research house warned that if the trade war continues, banks may need to increase provisions, leading to higher credit costs and lower earnings. High US tariffs on Chinese goods could also indirectly affect Malaysia’s trade.

AmInvestment Bank cuts bank earnings on rising credit costs

RHB Investment Bank cautioned that inconsistent US trade policies could defer critical capital expenditure (capex) decisions and manufacturing reallocation timelines, pressuring technology sector earnings.

RHB cuts tech sector earnings amid volatile US trade policy that threatens capex, equipment demand

KUALA LUMPUR (April 22): Malaysia’s ports-and-logistics sector could be hit by a sharp decline in global order volumes amid uncertainty over international trade, Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) said in cutting the industry outlook.

Maybank IB turns neutral on Malaysia’s ports-and-logistics sector because of tariff uncertainties, despite signs of near-term front-loading by exporters

KUALA LUMPUR (April 22): Vehicle sales are expected to moderate in April following a 12% jump in March, as demand normalised after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri break, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

MAA sees slower vehicle sales in April post-Hari Raya bump

US tariffs on China-made gloves can help Malaysian players expand its market in the world’s biggest economy, but are not sufficient to reverse the structural oversupply challenges in the global glove industry, said AmInvestment Bank (AmInvest).

US tariffs on Chinese gloves not enough to lift sector outlook, says AmInvest

RHB Investment Bank (RHB IB) has turned bearish on Malaysia's banking sector, as global tariffs are slowing growth and expected to hurt banks' earnings in the short term.

RHB IB turns bearish on Malaysian banks amid tariff worries and slowing growth

AmInvestment Bank has downgraded Malaysia’s technology sector, citing a reset in expectations, as the newly announced reciprocal tariffs were broader and harsher than anticipated.

AmInvestment downgrades tech sector on US tariffs, policy uncertainty

RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) has maintained a 'neutral' recommendation for the automotive and automotive components sector.

In a research note on Friday, the investment bank expects the sector's performance to continue declining in line with the current economic cycle, due to the absence of catalyst factors capable of driving sales and revenue to new record highs.

RHB IB maintains 'neutral' recommendation on automotive sector

Malaysia’s takaful industry is projected to incur an up to RM800 million loss in business opportunity, following the temporary 10% cap on medical insurance premium hikes, according to Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA) chief executive officer Mohd Radzuan Mohamed.

Malaysian takaful to miss RM800m in business opportunity from medical insurance premium hike cap, says industry association

Malaysia’s takaful industry saw its net contributions increase to RM19 billion in 2024, up 9.8% from RM17.3 billion in the previous year, supported by higher growth in both family and general takaful.

Malaysia's takaful industry records RM19b contributions in 2024, payout hits RM10.2b

The government will implement the diagnostic-related group (DRG) payment system only for new basic health insurance and takaful products, instead of changing the entire private healthcare payment model, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research.

Govt to apply diagnostics-related group payment system to basic insurance only, private healthcare model unaffected — HLIB Research

Malaysian banks, in spite of their domestic focus, will not emerge completely unscathed from the escalating international trade tensions, TA Securities flagged on Wednesday.

Malaysian banks, despite local focus, will suffer from trade tensions fallout — TA Securities

Malaysian tech stocks extended their rebound into the third day on Monday following the weekend announcement of US tariff exemption on key consumer electronics and chips.

Malaysian tech stocks extend recovery after key US tariff exemptions

CIMB Securities believes banks may consider targeted loan relief for exporters and suppliers hit by external tariffs, similar to support given during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Banks may offer Covid-style loan relief to exporters facing tariff pressures — CIMB Securities

Leapmotor has struck a deal with Chinese state-owned automaker FAW to deliver an electric vehicle platform that will be used to drive overseas sales for Hongqi, an emerging national champion, executives from both companies said.

China's Leapmotor to supply EV platform to Hongqi, also in talks with Ferrari

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): YTL Hotels has expanded its hospitality portfolio with the opening of two new properties — Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh.

YTL Hotels opens Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh

Norway's US$1.7 trillion (RM7.4 trillion) sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, reported on Thursday a quarterly loss of 415 billion Norwegian crowns (US$39.72 billion) for the January to March period, largely driven by negative returns in the tech sector.

Norway wealth fund posts US$40b first-quarter loss on tech weakness

Singapore equities were set for an eighth straight session of gains on Thursday, marking their best winning streak since November 2022, as cooling inflation and demand for defensive stocks supported the benchmark index.

Singapore shares set for an eight-day rally; Asian FX muted 

Gucci sales tumbled in the first quarter as efforts to revive Kering SA’s biggest brand again failed to yield signs of a turnaround amid a tough period for the luxury-goods industry.

Gucci sales drop as Kering label struggles to revive demand

Abandoned housing has been a long-standing problem in Malaysia. According to the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Institute in its recently released “Abandoned Housing — Challenges, Insights & Solutions Research Report”, the number of abandoned housing projects has been...

Stakeholder action needed to address abandoned housing issues, says Rehda Institute

China’s central bank chief Pan Gongsheng urged countries to help maintain confidence in the global economic system on a trip to the US, reiterating Chinese opposition to tariffs as American President Donald Trump signals a shift toward de-escalating tensions.

PBOC chief warns trade frictions threaten trust in world economy

Adidas AG reported better-than-expected earnings in the first quarter as consumers continue to snap up retro sneakers like the Samba in the face of growing economic uncertainty.

Adidas earnings bolstered again by retro sneaker craze

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The special sitting of Dewan Rakyat on May 5 to discuss the impact of the United States’ actions on the Malaysian economy will be held at the request of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Dewan Rakyat special sitting on May 5 held at PM’s request — Parliament

Rising tariffs and the weakening dollar are casting a shadow on companies’ profit guidance this earnings season, with more damage seen unfolding over the coming quarters.

US dollar’s slide raising red flags for corporate earnings

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The Ministry of Education issued an apology for an incorrect depiction of Malaysia’s national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, on an exam results analysis report distributed on Thursday.

Education Ministry apologises for Jalur Gemilang bungle in SPM results report

ACE-market listed LYC Healthcare Bhd (KL:LYC) said it has been served with a winding-up petition by SOG Mummy &amp; Baby Centre Pte Ltd for allegedly failing to settle an outstanding amount of RM600,000.

According to the petition, the amount owed is related to instalment payments due under a settlement reached in December 2024, which was subsequently restructured by both SOG Mummy and LYC Healthcare.

LYC Healthcare gets winding-up petition

A surge of complaints emerged on Thursday evening from investors across Bursa Malaysia, reporting that their accounts have been hacked and used for unauthorised trading activities.

Widespread hacks hit stock trading accounts in Malaysia

IJM Corporation Bhd (KL:IJM) has acquired a 50% stake in financially troubled UK-based construction firm JRL Group for £50 million, or about RM283 million.

IJM Corp completes acquisition of troubled UK builder for RM283m

(April 24):&nbsp;Coffee shop operator Zuspresso Sdn Bhd&nbsp;plans to open nearly 200 new stores in Southeast Asia this year, after surpassing Starbucks as Malaysia’s largest coffee chain within five years of inception.&nbsp;

ZUS Coffee to add 200 Southeast Asia stores in Starbucks duel

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): Malaysia&nbsp;will need to mark down its growth forecast of 4.5% to 5.5% for the year, due to trade and tariff uncertainties, its central bank governor said.

Malaysia will need to revise down growth forecast, BNM governor says

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) disbursed US$4.9 billion (RM21.5 billion) to Southeast Asia in 2024, with Malaysia getting the smallest slice of the allocation, its latest annual report showed.

Asian Development Bank disbursed US$4.9b to Southeast Asia in 2024, Malaysia received US$1.7m

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): YTL Hotels has expanded its hospitality portfolio with the opening of two new properties — Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh.&nbsp;

(April 24):&nbsp;Online merchants are being inundated with suspicious offers to help avoid paying US tariffs&nbsp;on goods made in China.

‘Made in Malaysia’: Online sellers bombarded with ways to evade tariffs

Bursa Malaysia Bhd’s (KL:BURSA) net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1QFY2025) is expected to decline year-on-year, weighed down by a weaker securities average daily value (ADV) amid cautious market sentiment, according to CIMB Securities.

Bursa’s 1Q net profit could decline as much as 27% amid weaker securities average daily value — CIMB

China demanded that the US revoke all unilateral tariffs and said there were no talks on reaching a trade deal, maintaining a tough stance despite President Donald Trump’s easing of criticism of the country.

China says US should revoke all unilateral tariffs, denies talks

Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Roger Ng Chong Hwa said that he first met fugitive Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) almost 20 years ago, just as the Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA)&nbsp;was about to set up.

1MDB-Tanore: Ex-Goldman banker Roger Ng says knew Jho Low around 2008/2009

Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK) has announced the appointment of Nor Shahrizan Sulaiman as its officer-in-charge of Maybank Islamic Bhd, following the resignation of its Islamic banking group chief executive officer Datuk Muzaffar Hisham to pursue other professional interests.&nbsp;

Muzaffar Hisham leaves Maybank's Islamic arm, said to be headed for top role at Bank Pembangunan

The timeline for completion of the aerotrain project at the Kuala Lumpur&nbsp;International Airport (KLIA) is completely unrelated to the recent privatisation of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), said its chairman Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi.

Aerotrain completion timeline not affected by privatisation — MAHB chairman

RHB Investment Bank cautioned that inconsistent US trade policies could defer critical capital expenditure (capex) decisions and manufacturing reallocation timelines, pressuring technology sector earnings.

Malaysia is positioning itself to become a key player in the rare earth elements (REE) value chain, amid a shifting geopolitical landscape and the ongoing trade war between the US and China.

Malaysia poised to capitalise on rare earth element opportunities amid trade war, says science minister

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB)(KL:TENAGA) has more than doubled its budgeted capital expenditure (capex) to RM42.9 billion — comprising RM26.6 billion in base capex and RM16.3 billion in contingent capex — to support infrastructure development for Malaysia’s energy transition.

TNB doubles capex to RM42.9b to back energy transition efforts

The new operator of Kuala Lumpur Tower, LSH Service Master&nbsp;Sdn Bhd (LSHSM), is working closely with the Ministry of Communications to determine a suitable date for the reopening of the iconic national landmark, following comprehensive maintenance and improvement works.

KL Tower reopening date to be set after major upgrade works, says LSH Service Master's CEO

(April 24):&nbsp;Investors increasingly expect Malaysia, Southeast Asia’s last holdout against interest rate cuts, to give in to mounting economic pressure from the global trade war.

Bets on Malaysia’s OPR cut mount as tariff shock dims growth outlook

Crypto’s richest man, Changpeng Zhao, was in a playful mood as he addressed a packed house at the Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur, just seven months after his release from a low-security California prison.&nbsp;

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