<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>(Aug 4): The US trade deficit narrowed in June as imports fell for the first time since the start of the year in a broad decline.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The gap in goods and services trade shrank 5.6% from the prior month to US$73.3 billion (RM299.9 billion), Commerce Department data showed on Tuesday. The value of imports declined 1.8% while exports fell 0.9%.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The trade data wrap up a quarter in which net exports continued to weigh on economic growth. Trade has been volatile month to month amid fluctuating tariff policy, disruptions from war in the Middle East and a rush to invest in artificial intelligence (AI).</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>While many levies on imports were struck down by the Supreme Court in the first quarter, the Trump administration is seeking other routes to tariff imports.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Imports of computers, peripherals and parts surged in 2025 into early this year as companies aggressively pursued investment in AI.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The latest trade report, however, showed imports of computers and semiconductors took a breather in June. The broader capital goods category that includes such equipment declined for the first time since September.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>On an inflation-adjusted basis, the merchandise-trade deficit narrowed to US$94.5 billion in June.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p><em>Uploaded by Felyx Teoh</em></p></div>


The US trade deficit narrowed in June as imports fell for the first time since the start of the year in a broad decline.

US trade deficit narrows to US$73.3 bil on drop in imports

Just south of Penang, the historic trading island off Malaysia’s northwest coast, excavators are turning a stretch of blue-green sea into a new, man-made island. Dump trucks crisscross freshly reclaimed sand as orange pipes snake across the emerging land mass, carrying fill pumped from dredgers offshore.

Malaysia builds a new ‘Silicon Island’ to house its AI ambitions

SEOUL (Oct 8): South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution said on Thursday that the company expects its July-September operating profit to rise 25.7% to 756 billion won (US$564.09 million).

LG Energy Solution flags 26% rise in 3Q operating profit

NEW YORK (Oct 8): Oil prices rose on Thursday on persistent worries about supply from the key Middle East producing region amid an increase in attacks on shipping in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil rises as Middle East supply concerns persist amid shipping attacks

BOSTON/NEW YORK (Oct 7): The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said on Wednesday that it will not charge top asset managers over their actions with a climate group ahead of ExxonMobil's 2021 shareholder meeting.

US SEC will not charge top funds over climate concerns but warns of disclosure obligations

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 8): Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd (KL:LSH) opened higher in its first day on the Main Market following the construction firm’s transfer from ACE Market.

Lim Seong Hai Capital opens higher on Main Market following listing transfer

SYDNEY (Oct 8): Asian shares slipped on Thursday as strains in sovereign bond markets were aggravated by reports some major tech companies were seeking to raise billions in debt in direct competition for limited funding.

Asia shares subdued, bonds swamped by AI debt wave

SEOUL (Oct 8): Samsung Electronics on Thursday projected its quarterly profit would top 100 trillion won, a world first for a technology company, estimating a nearly nine-fold jump in third-quarter earnings as booming demand for AI chips drove strong memory sales.

Samsung flags US$80 bil profit on AI boom, highest quarterly for any tech company

In recent times, it is not politicians, but bond vigilantes, who hold the most power over the global economy. In 2022, then-newly minted UK Prime Minister Liz Truss presided over a meltdown in the UK government bond market after her government announced sweeping tax cuts without any corresponding spending adjustments.

We have to thank the bond markets for telling the truth: Tharman

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 8, 2026

No bidders turned up at an auction for a six-acre land that the Penang state government intends to sell to raise funds for the long-delayed Ayer Itam road bypass project.

Penang state land auction draws a blank, sources say

<p>Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) has confirmed that it owes the Road Transport Department (JPJ) RM314 million in unremitted collections between May and September 2026, and said the liability has been recognised as a payable on its balance sheet.</p>


Zetrix AI confirms RM314m JPJ arrears after Bursa demands direct answer

<p>Malaysia still faces RM20.1 billion in outstanding obligations related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) if no additional funds are recovered, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).</p>


Govt still has to bear RM20.1b 1MDB burden if no further funds recovered — MOF

<p>Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Wednesday.</p>


Yinson, Northern Solar, Aemulus, Datasonic, CIMB, AMMB, PJBumi, MMM Group

<p>No bidders turned up at an auction for a six-acre land that the Penang state government intends to sell to raise funds for the long-delayed Ayer Itam road bypass project.</p>


<p>British 30-year bond yields rose to a 28-year high on Wednesday as a global bond sell-off pushed equivalent US borrowing costs to their highest since 2002, adding to pressure on finance minister John Healey before his first budget in three weeks' time.</p>


UK 30-year gilt yields hit 28-year high in global sell-off

<p>The additional tax claim against Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) will not&nbsp;result&nbsp;in the cost being passed on to consumers through electricity tariff hikes, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF).</p>


TNB's additional tax claim not passed on to consumers via tariffs, says MOF

<p>In recent times, it is not politicians, but bond vigilantes, who hold the most power over the global economy. In 2022, then-newly minted UK Prime Minister Liz Truss presided over a meltdown in the UK government bond market after her government announced sweeping tax cuts without any corresponding spending adjustments.</p>


<p>SYDNEY (Oct 8): Asian shares slipped on Thursday as strains in sovereign bond markets were aggravated by reports some major tech companies were seeking to raise billions in debt in direct competition for limited funding.</p>


<p>The Ministry of Finance (MOF) is finalising&nbsp;a proposal to enact the Statutory Bodies and Controlled Entities (Financial Governance) Act to strengthen the governance of government-owned companies.</p>


MOF finalising proposed law to strengthen governance of govt-owned companies

<p>The Nasdaq and the S&amp;P 500 eased from record highs on Wednesday as Treasury yields and oil prices rebounded, keeping investors cautious as they awaited the minutes of the Federal Reserve's September meeting.</p>


Nasdaq, S&P 500 slip from record highs as yields and oil rebound

<p>NEW YORK (Oct 8): Oil prices rose on Thursday on persistent worries about supply from the key Middle East producing region amid an increase in attacks on shipping in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.</p>


<p>The government is reviewing a formal agreement with Dapat Vista Sdn Bhd, the company that operates the eJamin system for online payment of court bail, before submitting it to the Cabinet soon.</p>


eJamin: Govt reviewing formal agreement with Dapat Vista before presenting it to Cabinet

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 8): Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd (KL:LSH) opened higher in its first day on the Main Market following the construction firm’s transfer from ACE Market.&nbsp;</p>


<p>Just south of Penang, the historic trading island off Malaysia’s northwest coast, excavators are turning a stretch of blue-green sea into a new, man-made island. Dump trucks crisscross freshly reclaimed sand as orange pipes snake across the emerging land mass, carrying fill pumped from dredgers offshore.</p>


<p>The holding company of Canada's Weston family has agreed to buy British health and beauty retailer Boots from private equity firm Sycamore Partners and the Pessina family for US$8.9 billion (RM36.4 billion), including debt, it said on Wednesday.</p>


Canada's Weston family buys UK pharmacy chain Boots for US$8.9 bil

<p>SEOUL (Oct 8): Samsung Electronics on Thursday projected its quarterly profit would top 100 trillion won, a world first for a technology company, estimating a nearly nine-fold jump in third-quarter earnings as booming demand for AI chips drove strong memory sales.</p>


<p>A record-breaking run in stocks hit a wall as still-elevated oil prices stoked concerns that potential inflationary pressures could trigger Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes.</p>


US stocks fall from all-time highs on inflation worry

<p>Here's a heads up on what to look out for today.</p>


YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 8, 2026 

<p>India’s central bank raised interest rates for the first time in nearly four years and signaled further hikes may be on the table as accelerating inflation and a weakening currency drive a policy pivot.&nbsp;</p>


RBI signals further rate hikes as price pressures intensify

<p>It’s telling that among the first casualties of David Ellison’s takeover of Warner Bros&nbsp;Discovery Inc&nbsp;were Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, the studio executives known for spending freely on auteur-driven films like last year’s best-picture winner, <em>One Battle After Another</em>.</p>
