<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>(Aug 29):&nbsp;Aluminium extended its retreat from a two-month high, as concerns about the strength of China’s demand recovery lingered, with supplies remaining sufficient. Other industrial metals also declined.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Since Tuesday’s close, aluminium has retreated by more than 3%, paring what was a strong monthly gain. The discount of its spot price to the three-month contract on the London Metal Exchange (LME) widened to US$29 (RM125.16) a ton, a sign that immediate global supplies are ample.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>“Aluminium supply remains elevated, while downstream demand recovery in China is limited,” Guangzhou Futures Co said in a note predicting the metal to decline further.</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Aluminium fell 1.4% to US$2,461 a ton on the LME as of 9.44am&nbsp;local time on Thursday, trimming this month’s gain to just above 7%. Most base metals declined, with tin and lead also falling just under 1.4%. Copper declined 0.8%.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Uploaded by Tham Yek Lee</div>

Aluminium extended its retreat from a two-month high, as concerns about the strength of China’s demand recovery lingered, with supplies remaining sufficient. Other industrial metals also declined.

Aluminium leads base metals down on dim supply and demand balance

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet approved a stimulus package that’s slightly bigger than last year’s, as he followed up on a pledge to ramp up support for households and businesses struggling to cope with higher costs.

Japan’s Cabinet approves stimulus in show of progress for Ishiba

Amazon.com Inc is investing an additional US$4 billion (RM17.87 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic, boosting its stake in one of OpenAI’s chief rivals.

Amazon invests additional US$4b in AI firm Anthropic

The corporate earnings reporting season for the July-September quarter comes to a close this week. Among the companies slated to announce their financial results are banking groups Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK), Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK), RHB Bank Bhd (KL:RHBBANK) and Hong Leong Bank Bhd (KL:HLBANK) as well as utility giant Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA).

The Week Ahead: Spotlight on corporate earnings of banks, Tenaga and Opec+ meeting

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday said he will nominate prominent investor Scott Bessent as the US Treasury secretary, a key Cabinet position with vast influence over economic, regulatory and international affairs.

Trump taps tax reform, deregulation advocate Scott Bessent for Treasury

US bank Citigroup has received approval to establish its regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Friday.

Citi granted licence for regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, memo shows

Global stocks registered a strong weekly gain on Friday, while US Treasury yields slipped as markets eyed President-elect Donald Trump's likely policies and their impact on the US economy, even as bitcoin traded near the US$100,000 (RM446,800) threshold.

Stocks notch strong weekly gain, US yields slip as markets eye Trump policies

When Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) was established in 2007, with an initial fund of RM41.9 billion, the federal government’s pension and gratuity obligations stood at a mere RM8.25 billion, just 6.7% of its total operating expenditure (opex).

The pension conundrum: KWAP pushes for thoughtful reform amid growing charges

(Nov 23): UK retail sales declined more than expected in October, as uncertainty over Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves first budget prompted consumers to hold back spending.

The volume of goods sold in stores and online fell 0.7% month on month, the Office for National Sta...

UK retail sales fell more than expected amid budget anxiety

NEW YORK (Nov 22): The banks most reluctant to tap the U.S. central bank's discount window to shore up their capital are in fact those who face the highest failure risk, according to new research from the New York Federal Reserve that turns the notion of bank emergency borrowing stigma on it...

New York Fed paper challenges notion of discount window stigma

A record-high US$7 trillion (RM31.28 trillion) of cash is currently sitting "on the sidelines" in money market funds (MMFs). Anyone hoping to see a significant chunk of this flooding the wider investment field in the coming months may be disappointed.

America's US$7 tril cash stash isn't going anywhere

Vizione Holdings Bhd (KL:VIZIONE) said its unit has served a notice to Inspirasi Langkawi Sdn Bhd to terminate its employment as main contractor for the development of a 14-storey hotel in Langkawi, claiming it had not been properly paid for its works so far.

Vizione quits RM116 mil hotel construction job over alleged unpaid works

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

Allianz Malaysia, Bumi Armada, Bintulu Port, D&O, Sarawak Plantation, Favelle Favco, CSC Steel, BM Greentech, SkyWorld, Lagenda Properties, Solarvest, SMI, Icon Offshore, Top Glove, MNRB, Chin Hin Group Property

Global investment conglomerate Bin Zayed International Group of Companies (BZI) has committed to investing US$2 billion (RM8.93 billion) in Malaysia over the next five years.&nbsp;

Bin Zayed International (M) Bhd managing director Datuk Seri Dr Shamir Kumar Nandy said as part of its strategic expansion plan, the group would tap into real estate, renewable energy and financial services to attract investments into the country.

Bin Zayed International commits US$2 bil investment in Malaysia over next five years

A record-high US$7 trillion (RM31.28 trillion) of cash is currently sitting "on the sidelines" in money market funds (MMFs). Anyone hoping to see a significant chunk of this flooding the wider investment field in the coming months may be disappointed.

When Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) was established in 2007, with an initial fund of RM41.9 billion, the federal government’s pension and gratuity obligations stood at a mere RM8.25 billion, just 6.7% of its total operating expenditure (opex).

Lagenda Properties Bhd (KL:LAGENDA) said on Friday that an indirectly owned subsidiary of the company has secured the right to develop a 139-acre land in Kota Tinggi, Johor, for RM99.62 million, cash. The final purchase price may still vary.

Lagenda Properties secures right to develop another Kota Tinggi plot for RM99.62 mil

Property developer SkyWorld Development Bhd (KL:SKYWLD), which made its Main Market debut in July last year, said it is on target to launch developments with an estimated gross development value of RM4.6 billion by 2026, having achieved RM1.1 billion worth of launches so far.

SkyWorld nears deal for Vietnam joint venture on completion of due diligence, says on track for RM4.6b launch target by 2026

Loss-making Classita Holdings Bhd (KL:CLASSITA) is mulling diversifying into the property investment business as it foresees growing demand.

Lingerie maker Classita to diversify into property investment

The flood situation in Terengganu and Perak has grown worse, while Kelantan has become the latest state hit by floods as of 8pm on Friday night.

In Terengganu, the number of evacuees rose drastically to 221 people being housed in 10 relief centres compared to 29 in the morning.

Floods worsen in Terengganu, Perak while Kelantan latest state hit

Cboe Global Markets Inc. said it is set to list the first cash-settled index options related to the spot price of Bitcoin, marking the latest addition of cryptocurrency-related securities to traditional exchanges.

Cboe to launch cash-settled Bitcoin ETF options as crypto booms

French defence and technology firm Thales said on Friday it was denying unspecified allegations after Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced a joint investigation with French authorities into suspected bribery and corruption.

Thales denies wrongdoing as Anglo-French bribery probe hits shares

NEW YORK (Nov 22):&nbsp;The banks most reluctant to tap the U.S. central bank's discount window to shore up their capital are in fact those who face the highest failure risk, according to new research from the New York Federal Reserve that turns the notion of bank emergency borrowing stigma on it...

The S&amp;P 500 and the Dow touched over one-week highs on Friday after data showed a still robust economy, while small-cap stocks outperfomed large-cap indexes.

The S&amp;P flash PMI showed manufacturing activity stood at 48.8 in November, in line with estimates from a Reuters poll of economists.

S&P 500, Dow touch over one-week highs after business activity data

(Nov 23):&nbsp;UK retail sales declined more than expected in October, as uncertainty over Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves first budget prompted consumers to hold back spending.

The volume of goods sold in stores and online fell 0.7% month on month, the Office for National Sta...

A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (Nov 22, 2024)

Baltic Exchange shipping updates: Nov 22, 2024

As the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) chair for 2025, Malaysia has a key role in strengthening the Asean community and tackling complex regional challenges, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said.

Malaysia to strengthen Asean community, tackle regional challenges as Asean chair 2025 — Mohamad

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday said he will nominate prominent investor&nbsp;Scott Bessent&nbsp;as the US&nbsp;Treasury secretary, a key Cabinet position with vast influence over economic, regulatory and international affairs.

Global&nbsp;stocks registered&nbsp;a strong weekly gain on Friday, while US&nbsp;Treasury yields&nbsp;slipped as&nbsp;markets&nbsp;eyed President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump's likely policies&nbsp;and their&nbsp;impact on the US&nbsp;economy, even as bitcoin traded near the US$100,000 (RM446,800) threshold.

A measure of US business activity raced to a 31-month high in November, boosted by hopes for lower interest rates and more business-friendly policies from President-elect Donald Trump's administration next year.

US business activity gauge rises to 31-month high in November

The corporate earnings reporting season for the July-September quarter comes to a close this week. Among the companies slated to announce their financial results are banking groups Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK), Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK), RHB Bank Bhd (KL:RHBBANK) and Hong Leong Bank Bhd (KL:HLBANK) as well as utility giant Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA).