Donald Trump's recent US election win will affect Malaysian exporters, but is largely neutral for domestic growth, the ringgit, and the equity market, said CGS International.

Trump presidency largely neutral for Malaysia, while market consolidation offers buying opportunities — CGS

Increased market volatility is expected in the near term due to the US presidential election, but the Federal Reserve's (Fed) decision following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting this Wednesday and Thursday is likely to have a more significant impact, said MIDF Research.

Market volatility looms with US election, but Fed decision's impact more significant — MIDF

Maybank Investment Bank has warned Asean investors of potential economic turbulence and a surge in trade tensions, amid anticipation of more import tariff hikes if Donald Trump wins a second term as the US president.

Maybank IB tells clients to go defensive, warns of potential economic risks brought by new US president

(Oct 31): Amazon's push to offer more everyday essentials like toothpaste is hurting its average selling prices (ASPs), but it is also a guard against rivals such as Temu and Shein, who offer rock bottom prices on goods they ship from China.

Amazon’s plan to tackle Temu, Shein? Sell more toothpaste

Malaysia’s consumer and construction stocks are set to benefit, as the government seeks to boost wages and sustain economic growth with its spending plan for next year. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who doubles as the finance minister, will likely deliver measures to lower the cost of living and several infrastructure projects when he unveils the country’s budget on Friday. Analysts also expect details of plans to remove blanket fuel subsidies and potentially new levies, including a sugar-sweetened beverage tax, to fund an expansionary budget after the prime minister ruled out any near-term re-implementation of the goods and services tax.

A trader’s guide to navigating Budget 2025

The final quarter of 2024 (4Q2024) will likely be volatile for Malaysia’s stock market, pushing investors to protect gains made while identifying opportunities for next year, said RHB Investment Bank.

Protect gains as Bursa may be volatile in 4Q, RHB advises

Kenanga Research named a few commodity and consumer stocks as potential "outflow hedge" amid capital outflows from regional equity markets, including Malaysia, in response to Chinese stimulus measures.

The research firm noted that since the Chinese stimulus measure was announced, Asean equity markets saw broad-based outflows in early October, especially in Malaysia which was unsurprising on strong performance of 20% year to date gain in the FBM KLCI in dollar terms.

Kenanga names commodity, consumer stocks as 'hedge' against outflow amid China economic stimulus

HSBC has upgraded Malaysian stocks to ‘neutral’ from an ‘underweight’ call, betting on stronger corporate earnings and better liquidity while the economy benefits from strong foreign investment.

HSBC lifts Malaysian stocks to 'neutral' from 'underweight'

JPMorgan Chase & Co abandoned its buy recommendation for Chinese stocks, citing heightened volatility around the upcoming US elections in addition to growth headwinds and tepid policy support.

JPMorgan abandons recommendation to buy China stocks ahead of US election

Nomura Global Markets Research has upgraded Malaysian stocks to 'overweight' from 'neutral', as part of its equity strategy call that an imminent US rate cut will stoke a rally in emerging markets.

Time to add Malaysian stocks as Fed cuts rates, says Nomura

Investors are advised to prioritise productive assets over speculative ones, amid limited availability of shariah-compliant hedging instruments, according to Bursa Malaysia.

Investors should focus on productive assets amid limited shariah-compliant hedging — Bursa

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd raised its year-end target for the benchmark FBM KLCI to 1,730 points (from 1,660 previously), driven by an influx of foreign direct investment (FDI) in data centres, improved corporate earnings and domestic liquidity.

Rakuten Trade raises year-end KLCI target to 1,730, overweight on banking, construction, tech, telco, power and utilities

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research maintained its 'overweight' rating of the construction sector, and said domestic contract awards jumped 41% year-on-year to RM20.7 billion in the first half of the year (1H2024), driven by data centre (DC) awards.

HLIB sees sizeable public infrastructure projects materialising in 2H

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research has maintained its 'neutral' rating for the glove sector, and said it expects glove makers under its coverage to deliver sequentially stronger earnings in the coming quarters.

HLIB expects glove makers to deliver sequentially stronger earnings in coming quarters

Taiwan's government said on Thursday that the son of jailed former senior Chinese leader Bo Xilai was visiting the island for personal reasons after marrying a Taiwan citizen, a rare trip for someone linked to China's political elite.

Taiwan says son of jailed former senior Chinese official Bo Xilai is visiting

Pawnbroker Pappajack Bhd (KL:PPJACK), whose shares will be transferred from the ACE Market to the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia on Friday (Nov 22), saw its net profit rise 8.2% to RM6.52 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024) from RM6.03 million a year earlier, on the back of a 19.3% increase in gross profit from both the pawnbroking segment and sales of unredeemed or bid pledges.

Pappajack's 3Q net profit up 8%, declares 0.5 sen dividend

Boustead Singapore has announced that its engineering and construction (E&C) business, under Boustead Projects’ real estate solutions division, has secured an E&C contract in Malaysia valued at RM300 million (S$90 million).

Boustead Singapore secures RM300 mil E&C contract in Malaysia

Bursa Malaysia Bhd is optimistic about the outlook for 2025, citing a robust pipeline of initial public offerings (IPOs) and an active capital market, said chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar.

Bursa Malaysia confident in next year's growth with active IPO pipeline, says Wahid Omar

The Kelantan government has urged that all ongoing federal government projects in the state be expedited to ensure the availability of infrastructure, which is crucial for attracting foreign investment.

Kelantan calls for faster delivery of federal projects to boost state economy

The October 2024 Supplementary Electoral Roll (DPT BLN10/2024) is open for review for 30 days from Thursday until Dec 20, said Election Commission (EC) Secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak.

October 2024 Supplementary Electoral Roll open for review — EC

Kucingko Bhd (KL:KUCINGKO), a 2D animation production company, has decided to discontinue the services of its external auditor Messrs Russell Bedford LC PLT over a disagreement on audit fees.

Kucingko drops Russell Bedford as auditor over fee dispute

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, has forecast an annual average palm oil price of RM3,900 per tonne in 2025, down from an estimated RM4,050 per tonne in 2024.  

BMI commodity analyst Matthew Biggin attributed the projection to ample alternative supply, competition from other edible oils, and an uncertain import demand outlook in major consuming markets.

BMI projects average palm oil price for 2025 at RM3,900

Mega First Corp Bhd’s (KL:MFCB) net profit rose 13.8% to RM116.64 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024) from RM102.53 million a year earlier, underpinned by stronger earnings from its renewable energy and resources segments.

The group also recognised an insurance income of RM7.23 million in the quarter under review. It booked a total of RM32.12 million for the nine-month period ended Sept 30 for assets damaged by a fire incident in 2023.

Mega First's 3Q net profit rises 14% boosted by renewable energy and resources segments

The extended six-year contract signed between the government and Bestinet Sdn Bhd for the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) could cost the government a minimum of RM3.2 billion, according to a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Bestinet's contract extension for foreign worker system could cost govt at least RM3.2b — PAC

(Nov 21):&nbsp;Dyson Ltd&nbsp;is dialling back its hairdryer-related operations in Malaysia, according to people familiar with the matter who declined to be identified discussing matters that are private, as the consumer goods company seeks to streamline its business in the region.

Dyson dials back Malaysian hairdryer ops, redeploys staff in Johor — Bloomberg

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (KL:PCHEM) may be in for tougher days ahead following a massive paper loss that sent the company into the red for the first time ever and prompted analysts to cut their forecasts.

Petronas Chemicals' outlook gloomy, analysts warn amid mounting joint venture losses

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

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Malaysia’s central bank made two unusual changes to the government bond auction calendar by rescheduling a tender set for this month, and scrapping another pencilled in for December.

BNM reschedules govt bond auction, scraps one issue in unusual move

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

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Mah Sing Group Bhd (KL:MAHSING) has unveiled the sales gallery of its RM850-million M Aspira serviced-apartment project in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (Nov 20).&nbsp;

Mah Sing unveils M Aspira sales gallery in Taman Desa

Starbucks Corp is exploring options for its Chinese operations including the possibility of selling a stake in the business, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Starbucks said to consider selling stake in Chinese business

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

Starbucks Corp reduced its US retail workforce by 8% in its most recent fiscal year, even as the coffee chain added hundreds of new locations.&nbsp;

Starbucks shrank retail staff 8% despite hundreds of new stores

PARAMARIBO (Nov 20): Suriname's state-run oil company Staatsolie said on Wednesday that US oil giant ExxonMobil has withdrawn from its offshore block 52, and block operator Petronas Suriname E&amp;P will take over its 50% stake.

Suriname’s Staatsolie says ExxonMobil has withdrawn from offshore block, Petronas’ unit to take over 50% stake

Sime Darby Property Bhd (KL:SIMEPROP) on Thursday said that the company is seeking more assets that would generate recurring income for the real estate developer.

Sime Darby Property seeks more assets generating recurring income

The extended six-year contract signed between the government and Bestinet Sdn Bhd for the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) could cost the government a minimum of RM3.2 billion, according to a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Shares of Adani Group companies lost about US$28 billion (RM125.3 billion) in market value in morning trade on Thursday after US prosecutors charged the billionaire chairman of the Indian conglomerate in an alleged bribery and fraud scheme.

India's Adani Group sees US$30b in value wiped off after US indictments 

Northern Solar Holdings Bhd has signed an underwriting agreement with M&amp;A Securities Sdn Bhd for its proposed initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

The solar energy firm said its IPO scheduled to take place in February 2025, entails a public issue of 67.3 million new shares and the sale of 35.6 million existing shares.

All in all, the listing would offer investors up to a 26% stake in the company.

Northern Solar Holdings signs underwriting agreement with M&A Securities

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

EIGHTEEN months after its decision to abandon the single wholesale network (SWN) structure and transition to a dual 5G network, Malaysia sprang yet another surprise by selecting U Mobile Sdn Bhd, the third and smallest of the three bidders that qualified, for the coveted second 5G spectrum bid on...

Cover Story: Untangling the second 5G network puzzler 

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

Bitcoin hit US$95,000 (RM425,030) for the first time as the digital-asset sector moves to cement its influence with Donald Trump by pushing for a new White House post dedicated to cryptocurrency policy.

Bitcoin climbs closer to US$100,000 on Trump’s support for crypto

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Analysts have raised their earnings forecasts and target prices on Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd (KL:HSPLANT), after the plantation group outperformed market expectations in its latest quarterly results.

Analysts raise forecasts after Hap Seng Plantations’ quarterly results beat expectations

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.

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