<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): Unisem (M) Bhd (KL:<a href="/askedge/klse/5005" class="ce-stock" target="_blank">UNISEM</a>) began the financial year with a 29% decline in first-quarter earnings from a year earlier, as margin pressure from rising costs offset revenue gain.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>For the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1QFY2025), net profit fell to RM6 million from RM8.46 million a year earlier, according to the semiconductor services firm’s exchange filing on Thursday. Revenue rose 16.1% year-on-year to RM423.62 million, on higher volume.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Despite the drop in earnings, Unisem maintained dividend payment, with an interim payout of two sen per share to be paid on July 4.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Unisem said it expects improvement in its performance in the next financial quarter, based on current demand. However, the operating environment remains challenging, the company flagged, and raised concerns over tariffs and trade restrictions.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>At Thursday’s midday break, Unisem shares were unchanged at RM1.91, valuing the group at a market capitalisation of RM3.08 billion, ahead of the results announcement. Year-to-date, the stock has fallen 36.7%.</p></div>


KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): Unisem (M) Bhd (KL:UNISEM) began the financial year with a 29% decline in first-quarter earnings from a year earlier, as margin pressure from rising costs offset revenue gain.

Unisem’s 1Q net profit down 29% amid margin pressure, expects better quarter ahead

Oil prices jumped on Friday and settled 7% higher as Israel and Iran traded air strikes, feeding investor worries that the combat could widely disrupt oil exports from the Middle East.

Oil settles up 7% as Israel, Iran trade air strikes

World stock markets fell on Friday, and oil prices surged, as Israel launched military strikes on Iran, sparking inflows into safe havens such as gold and the dollar.

Stocks slump, oil prices surge after Israel attacks Iran

Wall Street ended sharply lower on Friday after Iran launched missiles at Israel in response to intensive Israeli strikes aimed at crippling Tehran's ability to build nuclear weapons.

Wall St ends sharply lower as Iran retaliates against Israel attack

Call it the goods and services tax or sales and service tax (SST), the government needs tax revenue. And when revenue keeps falling behind expenditure (which cannot be cut for political reasons), new taxes have to be introduced.

We hate it, but the taxman needs it

Kuala Lumpur has entered the Top 20 Emerging Startup Ecosystems in a historic first for Malaysia after ranking 18th in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2025 by Startup Genome.

KL ranks 18th in Emerging Startup Ecosystems, historic first for Malaysia

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK has “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme and backed Israel’s right to self-defence, while calling for de-escalation in a conflict that risks engulfing the Middle East.

Starmer says UK has ‘grave concerns’ on Iran nuclear programme

Immigrants admitted to the US from a Biden-era parole programme for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) have begun receiving notices of termination urging them to depart the US.

Trump administration orders half a million immigrants to leave US

Russia said on Friday it had conducted large-scale tests of new laser-based systems to defend against drones.

Russia says it tests new laser defences against drones

Israel’s overnight airstrikes on Iran drove up freight rates and tanker stocks on Friday as traders and investors priced in the prospect of disruption to a large swath of the global oil-shipping fleet.

Oil tanker market roiled by Israeli airstrikes against Iran

Shein's carbon emissions from transporting products climbed 13.7% in 2024, the online fast-fashion retailer's sustainability report showed on Friday, and its 2023 transport emissions were 18% higher than previously reported after a recalculation.

Fast-fashion retailer Shein's transport emissions jump 13.7% last year

<p>Here is a brief recap of Friday's top local business news and corporate announcements.</p>


Axiata, Dialog, Kretam, IOI Corp, UUE & Rex Industry

<p>Wall Street ended sharply lower on Friday after Iran launched missiles at Israel in response to intensive Israeli strikes aimed at crippling Tehran's ability to build nuclear weapons.</p>


<p>Chengco PLT said it has taken corrective steps to strengthen its audit framework after the Securities Commission Malaysia's Audit Oversight Board (AOB) suspended the firm's registration for two years due to "serious audit quality issues".</p>


Chengco vows to improve audit practices after being suspended over 'quality issues'

<p>Kuala Lumpur has entered the Top 20 Emerging Startup Ecosystems in a historic first for Malaysia after ranking 18th in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2025 by Startup Genome.</p>


<p>Call it the goods and services tax&nbsp;or sales and service tax (SST), the government needs tax revenue. And when revenue keeps falling behind expenditure (which cannot be cut for political reasons), new taxes have to be introduced.</p>


<p>Immigrants admitted to the US from a Biden-era parole programme for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) have begun receiving notices of termination urging them to depart the US.</p>


<p>The 13th Malaysia Plan 2026–2030 (13MP) will serve as the jumping-off point in the government’s efforts to address the nation’s economic challenges, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.</p>

<p>Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the challenges include developmental and income disparities, limited fiscal space, and slow economic structural transformation.</p>


13MP set to address the nation's economic challenges — Anwar

<p>The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP)is awaiting the full written judgment in the Yusoff Rawther case to identify any gaps or shortcomings in the investigation process.</p>

<p>Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the force is prepared to enhance its investigative procedures through internal evaluation and a review of existing standard operating procedures (SOPs).</p>


Yusoff Rawther case: Police to review judgment, ready to improve investigation SOPs — IGP

<p>South Korea’s troubled retail chain Homeplus Co opened itself up to a takeover as its private equity owners seek to avoid the firm’s liquidation.</p>


MBK Partners selling struggling Korean retail chain Homeplus

<p>Boeing and GE Aerospace are scaling back their public activities following the fatal crash of an Air India jetliner, with the planemaker's CEO cancelling his trip to the Paris Airshow next week and GE postponing an investor day.</p>


Boeing CEO cancels Paris Airshow appearance after India crash

<p>OpenAI plans to continue working with Scale AI after rival Meta on Friday agreed to take a 49% stake in the artificial intelligence startup for US$14.8 billion, OpenAI's CFO Sarah Friar told the VivaTech conference in Paris.</p>


OpenAI to continue working with Scale AI after Meta deal

<p>Israel’s overnight airstrikes on Iran drove up freight rates and tanker stocks on Friday as traders and investors priced in the prospect of disruption to a large swath of the global oil-shipping fleet.</p>


<p>Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK has “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme and backed Israel’s right to self-defence, while calling for de-escalation in a conflict that risks engulfing the Middle East.</p>


<p>Merchant shipping is continuing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Israel's attacks on Iran on Friday, the multinational, US-led Combined Maritime Force said, although some shipowners were looking to avoid the region.</p>


Ships warned to avoid Red Sea, log Hormuz voyages after Israel hits Iran

<p>Israel is shutting its embassies around the world and has urged citizens to stay alert and not display Jewish or Israeli symbols in public places, statements posted on embassy websites said on Friday after Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran.</p>


Israel shuts global embassies after attack on Iran

<p>Russia said on Friday it had conducted large-scale tests of new laser-based systems to defend against drones.</p>


<p>US consumer sentiment rose by the most since January 2024 as concerns about the economy eased and short-term inflation expectations showed a marked improvement.</p>


US consumer sentiment jumps as inflation expectations improve

<p>The European Union (EU) will demand companies disclose details of their Russian gas deals to the EU, under upcoming European Commission proposals to ban Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, an internal Commission document seen by <em>Reuters </em>showed.</p>


EU to demand companies share details of Russian gas deals, document shows — Reuters

<p>Shein's carbon emissions from transporting products climbed 13.7% in 2024, the online fast-fashion retailer's sustainability report showed on Friday, and its 2023 transport emissions were 18% higher than previously reported after a recalculation.</p>


<p>German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had to change his trip in the Middle East, dropping a stop in Israel, after the country launched a barrage of strikes across Iran earlier on Friday.</p>
