<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>PARAMARIBO (Nov 20): Suriname's state-run oil company Staatsolie said on Wednesday that US oil giant ExxonMobil has withdrawn from its offshore block 52, and block operator Petronas Suriname E&amp;P will take over its 50% stake.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>"The withdrawal is part of the ongoing evaluation of assets in ExxonMobil's global portfolio," Staatsolie said in a statement.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The withdrawal, effective as of&nbsp;Nov&nbsp;14,&nbsp;will not affect operations&nbsp;with&nbsp;the subsidiary of&nbsp;Malaysia's Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) oil and gas company, it added.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>ExxonMobil has fulfilled all of its work commitments, a spokesperson said in response to questions about its exit.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Gas was initially discovered&nbsp;in the block off Suriname's northern coast in 2020, and a second well was drilled earlier this year.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p><em>Uploaded by Liza Shireen Koshy</em></p></div>


PARAMARIBO (Nov 20): Suriname's state-run oil company Staatsolie said on Wednesday that US oil giant ExxonMobil has withdrawn from its offshore block 52, and block operator Petronas Suriname E&P will take over its 50% stake.

Suriname’s Staatsolie says ExxonMobil has withdrawn from offshore block, Petronas’ unit to take over 50% stake

TopVision Eye Specialist Bhd (KL:TOPVISN) shares staged a strong debut on the ACE Market as it looked to raise close to RM18 million from its initial public offering (IPO).

TopVision shares stage strong debut on ACE Market

China's industrial output growth quickened slightly in November, while retail sales disappointed, keeping pressure on Beijing to ramp up stimulus for a fragile economy as it braces for more US trade tariffs under a second Trump administration.

China's factory output up, but consumption still a drag

On its website, SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG) prides itself on being one of the world’s largest producers of certified sustainable palm oil. It has also been a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil since 2004.

It had been through the wringer, having to defend itself against allegat...

Frankly Speaking: No small offence

(Dec 16): Asian stocks are set to fall on Monday, ahead of a swath of Chinese data and a vow from the nation’s regulators to stabilise markets. South Korean assets will be closely watched after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached.

Asia wary of Fed rate future, China data disappoints

SEOUL (Dec 16): South Korean shares climbed on Monday to their highest level in more than two weeks, after parliament impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over the short-lived martial law.

South Korean shares at more than two-week high after president impeached

The absence of 122 out of the 222 members of parliament (MPs) of the Dewan Rakyat during the vote for the Communications and Multimedia (Amendment) Bill 2024 last Monday marks a serious lapse in parliament’s function as a pillar of democratic governance. This is especially disturbing because the ...

Frankly Speaking: Balance regulation and freedom for media to thrive

YTL Power International Bhd's (KL:YTLPOWR) data centres are well on track, with the second phase of 8MW under Johor Data Centre 1 (JDC1) expected to come online by end-2024, according to MIDF Research.

MIDF Research: YTL Power on track to deliver data centres, with second 8MW under Johor Data Centre 1 to come online by year end

TOKYO/SINGAPORE (Dec 16): Bitcoin surged to a record high above US$106,000 (RM471,944) in early Asian trade on Monday, boosted by comments from President-elect Donald Trump that suggested he plans to create a US bitcoin strategic reserve similar to its strategic oil reserve.

Bitcoin surges above US$106,000 on strategic reserve hopes

The key macroeconomic focus at home this week is the November trade and inflation data, expected to be released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia on Dec 18 and 20 respectively. Bank Negara Malaysia is also due to release its latest foreign reserves data on Dec 20.

Internationally...

The Week Ahead: Eyes on November inflation, interest rate decisions in the US, the UK and Japan

TOKYO (Dec 16): Japan’s factory activity shrank for the sixth straight month on lacklustre demand, while the service sector extended gains in December, business surveys showed on Monday, highlighting the economy’s increasing reliance on services.

Japan’s factory activity softens for sixth straight month, PMI shows

<p>TopVision Eye Specialist Bhd (KL:TOPVISN) shares staged a strong debut on the ACE Market as it looked to raise close to RM18 million from its initial public offering (IPO).</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>


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

<p>(Dec&nbsp;16) :&nbsp;Australia’s markets watchdog sued HSBC Bank of Australia Ltd&nbsp;for failing to protect customers who lost millions of dollars in scams.&nbsp;</p>


HSBC sued by Australian regulator for scam loss failures

<p>YTL Power International Bhd's (KL:YTLPOWR) data centres are well on track, with the second phase of 8MW under Johor Data Centre 1 (JDC1) expected to come online by end-2024, according to MIDF Research.</p>


<p>(Dec&nbsp;16):&nbsp;Asian stocks are set to fall on Monday, ahead of a swath of Chinese data and a vow from the nation’s regulators to stabilise markets. South Korean assets will be closely watched after President Yoon Suk Yeol was&nbsp;impeached.&nbsp;</p>


<p>(Dec&nbsp;16) :&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>


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

<p>(Dec&nbsp;16) : South Korea’s currency and its stock market will take centre stage on Monday, as investors respond to a weekend vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his attempt to impose martial law.</p>


Korean won, stocks take spotlight after impeachment vote

<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>


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

<p>There are more gains to come in Grab Holdings Ltd’s stock after a 35% surge so far this quarter, according to some analysts.</p>

<p>The ride-hailing and delivery firm will boost its profit as it fends off competition and benefits from scale, according to Evercore ISI International Ltd, which recently raised the stock’s price target to US$8 (RM35.61) from US$7.</p>


Grab’s big quarter has some analysts seeing further stock gains

<p>TOKYO/SINGAPORE (Dec 16): Bitcoin&nbsp;surged to a record high above US$106,000 (RM471,944) in early Asian trade on Monday, boosted by comments from President-elect Donald Trump that suggested he plans to create a US&nbsp;bitcoin&nbsp;strategic reserve similar to its strategic oil reserve.</p>


<p>SEOUL (Dec 16):&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean shares climbed on Monday to their highest level in more than two weeks, after parliament impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over the short-lived martial law.</p>


<p>LONDON (Dec 15): Britain officially became the 12th member of a trans-Pacific trade pact which includes Japan, Australia and Canada on Sunday, as it seeks to deepen ties in the region and build its global trade links after leaving the European Union (EU).</p>


Britain joins trans-Pacific pact in biggest post-Brexit trade deal

<p>SEOUL (Dec 16): South Korea’s Constitutional Court will begin on Monday reviewing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his Dec&nbsp;3&nbsp;martial law&nbsp;attempt, said a court spokesperson, while investigators plan to question him this week, according to <em>Yonhap</em> news.</p>


South Korea’s court begins review of Yoon’s impeachment

<p>LONDON (Dec 16): British manufacturers have reported the sharpest loss of confidence since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, in the face of higher costs including tax increases by the new government, a group representing the sector said on Monday.</p>


UK factories take fright as budget adds to cost pressures, survey shows

<p>China's industrial output growth quickened slightly in November, while retail sales disappointed, keeping pressure on Beijing to ramp up stimulus for a fragile economy as it braces for more US trade tariffs under a second Trump administration.</p>


<p>TOKYO (Dec 16): Japan’s factory activity shrank for the sixth straight month on lacklustre demand, while the service sector extended gains in December, business surveys showed on Monday, highlighting the economy’s increasing reliance on services.</p>


<p>（吉隆坡16日讯）明亮眼科专科中心（TopVision Eye Specialist Bhd）（KL:TOPVISN）通过首次公开募股（IPO）筹集接近1800万令吉后，今早在创业板强势登场。</p>


明亮眼科强势登场创业板

<p>The key macroeconomic focus at home this week is the November trade and inflation data, expected to be released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia on Dec 18 and 20 respectively. Bank Negara Malaysia is also due to release its latest foreign reserves data on Dec 20.</p>

<p>Internationally...

<p>On its website, SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG) prides itself on being one of the world’s largest producers of certified sustainable palm oil. It has also been a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil since 2004.</p>

<p>It had been through the wringer, having to defend itself against allegat...

<p>The absence of 122 out of the 222 members of parliament (MPs) of the Dewan Rakyat during the vote for the Communications and Multimedia (Amendment) Bill 2024 last Monday marks a serious lapse in parliament’s function as a pillar of democratic governance. This is especially disturbing because the ...