<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>(Sept 18): Australian pensions Equip Super and TelstraSuper are exploring a tie-up that would create a A$60 billion (US$41 billion or RM172.64 billion) fund, the latest of the industry’s smaller players to join forces.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The boards of the two funds have entered a merger agreement via a non-binding memorandum of understanding, according to a statement Wednesday. The plan is expected to be completed late next year, pending due diligence.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The regulator is encouraging consolidation as it tightens scrutiny of pension fees and performance, though deals have been relatively quiet given their cost and complexity. Australian Retirement Trust recently agreed to merge with smaller rival Qantas Super, while CareSuper and Spirit Super are also merging.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Australia’s pension system, one of the world’s largest, is nearing A$4 trillion in assets that are forecast to more than triple by 2048, according to Mercer analysis. The firm also predicts that mergers will see just a dozen funds controlling more than A$100 billion each by 2028.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Equip Super, with around A$35 billion of assets, was established in 1931, while A$26 billion TelstraSuper is the corporate fund for Telstra employees. They have a combined 225,000 members.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p><em>Uploaded by Chng Shear Lane</em></p></div>


Australian pensions Equip Super and TelstraSuper are exploring a tie-up that would create a A$60 billion (US$41 billion or RM172.64 billion) fund, the latest of the industry’s smaller players to join forces.

Two Australian pensions plan merger to create US$41b fund

A bold new chapter for Carlsberg Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 15): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended Malaysia’s economic reforms, notably the introduction of the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2023, and the successful implementation of electricity and diesel subsidy reforms.

IMF credits Malaysia’s economic reforms, calls for further action to strengthen resilience

Asian stocks are set to fall on Monday ahead of a swath of Chinese data and a vow from the nation’s regulators to stabilize markets. South Korean assets will be closely watched after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached. 

Australian shares slipped while futures in Hong Kong and mainland China pointed to losses while those in Japan gained.

Asian stocks set to fall ahead of China data dump

MORNING CALL: 16/12/24

A student of mine recently approached me, overwhelmed by the weight of juggling her responsibilities. She spoke about the pressure to meet her parents’ expectations, excel in her studies, maintain friendships and prepare for the demands of an unforgiving workforce. Her story is not unique. Across classrooms and boardrooms, young people face mounting pressures, and mental health challenges have become alarmingly common. This is where the collective responsibility of educators, employers and parents comes into play. Supporting students’ mental health and resilience requires a holistic approach, with all parties working together to help young people navigate these challenges and build the mental strength to thrive.

The resilience partnership: A collective approach to students’ mental health

The employment landscape in Malaysia has undergone a significant transformation. Companies are navigating a talent ecosystem that is influenced by digitalisation, flexible work arrangement (FWA) and a growing emphasis on the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) agenda.

TalentCorp champions diversity and sustainability as a beacon for Malaysia 

(Dec 16) : What was supposed to be a comeback year for Boeing Co. has turned into its worst stock-market plunge since 2008, and if Wall Street is right, the plane-maker’s shares may have only a modest recovery in store in 2025.

Boeing’s year of crisis leaves investors wary of beaten-up stock

Australia’s markets watchdog sued HSBC Bank of Australia Ltd. for failing to protect customers who lost millions of dollars in scams. 

HSBC received about 950 reports of unauthorized transactions between January 2020 and August 2024, resulting in customer losses of about A$23 million ($14.6 million), according to an Australian Securities and Investments Commission statement Monday.

HSBC sued by Australian regulator for scam loss failures

Wall Street is starting to sour on the dollar as President-elect Donald Trump’s policies and the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cuts will likely put pressure on the greenback in the latter portion of 2025.

From Morgan Stanley to JPMorgan Chase, roughly a half dozen sell-side strategists, are now forecasting the world’s reserve currency will peak as early as mid next year before starting to decline, with Societe Generale seeing the ICE US Dollar Index falling 6% at the end of next year.

Dollar’s trump-fuelled gains face a reality check late next year

South Korea’s currency and its stock market will take center stage on Monday, as investors respond to a weekend vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his attempt to impose martial law.

The Korean won will be the main focus for traders, after its heavy losses during the country’s recent political chaos.

Korean won, stocks take spotlight after impeachment vote

<p>&nbsp;Wall Street is starting to sour on the dollar as President-elect Donald Trump’s policies and the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cuts will likely put pressure on the greenback in the latter portion of 2025.</p>

<p>From Morgan Stanley to JPMorgan Chase, roughly a half dozen sell-side strategists, are now forecasting the world’s reserve currency will peak as early as mid next year before starting to decline, with Societe Generale seeing the ICE US Dollar Index falling 6% at the end of next year.&nbsp;</p>


<p>Australia’s markets watchdog sued HSBC Bank of Australia Ltd. for failing to protect customers who lost millions of dollars in scams.&nbsp;</p>

<p>HSBC received about 950 reports of unauthorized transactions between January 2020 and August 2024, resulting in customer losses of about A$23 million ($14.6 million), according to an Australian Securities and Investments Commission&nbsp;statement&nbsp;Monday.</p>


<p>South Korea’s currency and its stock market will take center stage on Monday, as investors respond to a weekend vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his attempt to impose martial law.</p>

<p>The Korean won will be the main focus for traders, after its heavy losses during the country’s&nbsp;recent political chaos.</p>


<p>Asian stocks are set to fall on Monday ahead of a swath of Chinese data and a vow from the nation’s regulators to stabilize markets. South Korean assets will be closely watched after President Yoon Suk Yeol was&nbsp;impeached.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Australian shares slipped while futures in Hong Kong and mainland China pointed to losses while those in Japan gained.</p>


<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 15): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended Malaysia’s economic reforms, notably the introduction of the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2023, and the successful implementation of electricity and diesel subsidy reforms.&nbsp;</p>


<p>(Dec&nbsp;16) :&nbsp;What was supposed to be a comeback year for Boeing Co. has turned into its worst stock-market plunge since 2008, and if Wall Street is right, the plane-maker’s shares may have only a modest recovery in store in 2025.&nbsp;</p>


<p>The employment landscape in Malaysia has undergone a significant transformation. Companies are navigating a talent ecosystem that is influenced by digitalisation, flexible work arrangement (FWA) and a growing emphasis on the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) agenda.</p>


<p>In the pursuit of environmental, social and governance (ESG) best practices, it is easy to overlook gaps that are worthwhile addressing in creating a foundation for sustainability that is ultimately rewarding for an organisation.</p>


In pursuit of ESG excellence through green practices and workplace wellness

<p>A student of mine recently approached me, overwhelmed by the weight of juggling her responsibilities. She spoke about the pressure to meet her parents’ expectations, excel in her studies, maintain friendships and prepare for the demands of an unforgiving workforce. Her story is not unique. Across classrooms and boardrooms, young people face mounting pressures, and mental health challenges have become alarmingly common. This is where the collective responsibility of educators, employers and parents comes into play. Supporting students’ mental health and resilience requires a holistic approach, with all parties working together to help young people navigate these challenges and build the mental strength to thrive.</p>
