<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (July 25): Phillip Capital has maintained its 'buy'&nbsp;rating for TT Vision Holdings Bhd (KL:TTVHB) at RM1.06, with an unchanged target price of RM1.50, and expects TTV to report higher sequential earnings in the upcoming results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 (2QFY2024), driven by increased order deliveries and a robust order backlog.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>In a note on Thursday, the research house said that TTV had secured about RM10 million in new orders in 2QFY2024, across the solar, optoelectronics, and semiconductor segments.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>“We expect stronger earnings momentum in the second half, bolstered by the solar and semiconductor sectors, due to ongoing capital expenditure by customers to adopt new technologies and expand their operations,” the house said.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Phillip Capital said TTV's newly set-up joint venture (JV) with Wuxi Autowell is progressing well, with plant renovation scheduled for completion by August and 50 workers hired.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>It said the JV had secured an initial order for two machines, estimated at about RM2.5 million, and is expected to commence production in September, with delivery by year end.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>“The X-ray inspection equipment production kick-off could serve as a rerating catalyst,” the house said.</p></div>


Phillip Capital has maintained its 'buy' rating for TT Vision Holdings Bhd (KL:TTVHB) at RM1.06, with an unchanged target price of RM1.50, and expects TTV to report higher sequential earnings in the upcoming results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 (2QFY2024), driven by increased order deliveries and a robust order backlog.

Phillip Capital expects TT Vision to report higher sequential earnings in 2Q

Japan's core inflation slowed in September due to the rollout of energy subsidies but an index excluding the effect of fuel held steady, a sign that broadening price pressure will keep the central bank on track to raise interest rates further.

Japan's core inflation slows on fuel subsidies, demand-driven pressure intact 

China's central bank governor said on Friday the reserve requirement ratio for commercial lenders could be cut further by 25 to 50 basis points by the year-end depending on liquidity conditions, keeping the door open to more policy easing steps.

China cenbank chief flags more interest rate cuts

China's central bank kicked off two funding schemes on Friday, that will initially pump as much as 800 billion yuan (US$112.38 billion or RM484 billion) into the stock market through newly-created monetary policy tools.

China rolls out US$112b funding schemes to bolster stock market

China stocks rose on Friday as the central bank officially launched a swap facility aimed at boosting the equity market, although shares elsewhere in Asia were mixed in the wake of data confirming a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.

China shares gain on latest policy steps; Fed view supports dollar

Mitsubishi Corp will pay 18.4 billion pesos (US$319 million or RM1.37 billion) to buy half of a Philippine company that owns a stake in the nation’s biggest fintech platform GCash.

Mitsubishi buys into top Philippine fintech for US$319m

Crude oil futures steadied on Friday after strong US retail sales data, but Chinese economic indicators remained mixed and prices were headed for their biggest weekly loss in more than a month on concerns about demand.

Oil steadies, but on track for biggest weekly loss in over a month

Of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030, eliminating hunger used to be seen as the most feasible. But in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 15 years of progress on improving access to food have been lost. Despite global agricultural producti...

Frontiers Of Growth: Building a Buffer Against Food-Price Shocks

Malaysia crossed the RM2 trillion trade milestone in the first nine months of 2024 (9MFY2024), after it recorded a 4.7% increase in trade value in September, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).

Malaysia’s trade crosses RM2 tril mark, after September trade rises 5% — Miti

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): Main market-bound Azam Jaya Bhd, a Sabah-based construction firm, aims to raise RM61.5 million from its initial public offering (IPO), and set its IPO price at 78 sen per share.

Main market-bound Azam Jaya to raise RM61.5m from IPO

Imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Friday that he had some regrets regarding the SRC International Sdn Bhd's (SRC) debacle, where billions of Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) funds meant to seek alternative power source, ended up being misappropriated and squandered.

Najib on SRC: 'I have certain regrets'

<p>Shares of Heitech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) were suspended with effect from 9am to 5pm on Friday, pending an announcement relating to a material contract.</p>


Heitech Padu shares suspended ahead of Budget 2025 announcement

<p>(Oct 18):&nbsp;Thailand’s 38-year-old prime minister is working on a plan to alleviate the economic drag from a household debt bill topping US$500 billion (RM2.15 trillion) — a figure that has ballooned since her father first took office in 2001.</p>


A US$500b pile of household debt weighs on new Thai leader

<p>Malaysia crossed the RM2 trillion trade milestone in the first nine months of 2024 (9MFY2024), after it recorded a 4.7% increase in trade value in September, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).</p>


<p>Imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Friday that he had some regrets regarding the SRC International Sdn Bhd's (SRC) debacle, where billions of Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) funds meant to seek alternative power source, ended up being misappropriated and squandered.&nbsp;</p>


<p>(Oct&nbsp;18) :&nbsp;The world’s biggest bond market got hit as a solid retail sales report had traders trimming their bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.</p>


Wall Street dials back Fed-cut bets on solid data

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): Main market-bound Azam Jaya Bhd, a Sabah-based construction firm, aims to raise RM61.5 million from its initial public offering (IPO), and set its IPO price at 78 sen per share. &nbsp;</p>


<p>BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, holds a positive outlook for consumer spending in Malaysia for 2025, supported by an ongoing economic recovery that fuels stable real consumer spending growth, according to its note on Friday.</p>

<p>The research firm said easing inflationary pressures and a stable labour market will sustain consistent consumer spending.&nbsp;</p>


Positive 2025 consumer spending outlook for Malaysia, but high household debt poses risk — BMI

<p>(Oct&nbsp;18) :&nbsp;The yen fell below the psychological mark of 150 per dollar, after robust US economic data led traders to dial back bets on Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, boosting the greenback.&nbsp;</p>


Yen falls to key 150 level after solid US retail, labour data

<p>China stocks rose on Friday as the central bank officially launched a swap facility aimed at boosting the equity market, although shares elsewhere in Asia were mixed in the wake of data confirming a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.</p>


<p>BEIJING (Oct 18): China’s economy grew at the slowest pace since early 2023 in the third quarter, and though consumption and industrial output figures for last month beat forecasts, a tumbling property sector&nbsp;remains a big challenge for Beijing as it tries to boost growth.</p>


China’s 3Q GDP hits weakest pace since early 2023, backs calls for more stimulus

<p>SD Guthrie Bhd's (KL:SDG) core earnings are expected to grow by 46.9% in FY2024, followed by increases of 8.9% in FY25 and 12.2% in FY26, on recovery of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) production, and crude palm oil (CPO), said Apex Securities.</p>


SD Guthrie FY2024 earnings to grow 47% on recovery of FFB production, CPO prices — Apex Securities

<p>China's central bank kicked off two funding schemes on Friday, that will initially pump as much as 800 billion yuan (US$112.38 billion or RM484 billion) into the stock market through newly-created monetary policy tools.</p>


<p>(Oct 18):&nbsp;In the countdown to the weekend inauguration of Indonesia’s new president, Jakarta’s political elite has been huddled at the incoming leader’s private ranch outside the capital, deep in the last-minute haggling that will determine the shape of the country’s government for the next five years.</p>


Indonesia’s fixer-in-chief bows out as Prabowo takes the helm

<p>Gold topped US$2,700 an ounce for the first time, as concerns over escalating conflicts in the Middle East saw investors flock to safety.</p>


Spot gold extends its record-breaking run to top US$2,700

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) is on track to achieve its target of RM2.5 billion in investments from green investment leads at the International Greentech &amp; Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2024.</p>


Mida on track to achieve goal of RM2.5b green investments at IGEM 2024

<p>JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Oct 17): Hamas leader&nbsp;Yahya&nbsp;Sinwar, a mastermind of the Oct&nbsp;7, 2023&nbsp;attack that triggered the Gaza war, has been killed by Israeli forces in the Palestinian enclave, Israel said on Thursday.</p>


Hamas leader Sinwar killed by Israeli troops in Gaza, Netanyahu says war will go on

<p>BENGALURU (Oct 17): Billionaire Warren&nbsp;Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has&nbsp;unloaded more Bank of America stock, as it continues to trim stake in the US banking giant, according to a regulatory filing.</p>


Buffett’s Berkshire continues to reduce Bank of America stake

<p>The Taipei-listed shares of TSMC hit a record high on Friday after the world's largest contract chipmaker posted forecast-beating third-quarter earnings and gave a rosy outlook for strong artificial intelligence (AI) demand.</p>


TSMC stock hits new high after forecast-beating earnings

<p>Japan’s top currency official helped lift the yen a touch on Friday after he warned he was keeping a close eye on market movements following the yen’s slide into the 150 range against the dollar overnight.</p>


Japan’s FX chief warns on sudden moves after yen hits 150

<p>(Oct 18): China’s largest state-owned lenders have cut their deposit rates on Friday, their second reduction this year as they rushed to salvage record low margins amid weakened profitability.</p>

<p>Major banks including Industrial &amp; Commercial Bank of China Ltd. and China Construction Ba...