<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p data-qa-component="item-headline">TOKYO (Sept 30): Japan's factory output unexpectedly fell in August from the previous month, government data showed on Wednesday.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Industrial output shrank 1.7% in August from the previous month, according to data released by the Ministry of Economy, compared to the median market forecast for a 1.7% rise in a <em>Reuters</em> poll. It decreased for a second straight month.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Manufacturers surveyed by the ministry expect seasonally adjusted output to increase 3.2% in September and grow 3.1% in October.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>In August, motor vehicle production slumped 6.8% from the previous month as an earthquake and a typhoon disrupted operations, while general-purpose and business-oriented machinery output declined 6%.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The indicator will be among the factors the Bank of Japan will scrutinise as it decides whether to raise interest rates in the near future.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p><em>Uploaded by Liza Shireen Koshy</em></p></div>


TOKYO (Sept 30): Japan's factory output unexpectedly fell in August from the previous month, government data showed on Wednesday.

Japan August factory output unexpectedly falls

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.

RBI signals further rate hikes as price pressures intensify

Asian stocks were poised for declines, tracking moves on Wall Street as elevated oil prices continued to stoke inflation concerns. Equity-index futures for Japan, Australia and South Korea pointed to a second day of declines for a regional stock gauge

Asian stocks to dip as oil fuels inflation worries

Oil edged higher after a report that the White House asked the Pentagon to draw up strike options against Iran that could be executed before the midterm elections, and as a storm shut some US output.

Oil edges higher on Iran strike options report and storm impact

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.

Stocks fall from all-time highs on inflation worry

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.

Zetrix AI confirms RM314m JPJ arrears after Bursa demands direct answer

HSBC said on Wednesday consultations were underway, after the Financial Times (FT) reported that hundreds of jobs were at risk from the bank's adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).

UK unit job cuts: HSBC says 'consultations' underway amid AI adoption

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.

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

The International Energy Agency's (IEA) member countries stand ready to release additional oil from their strategic reserves if necessary and will prioritise diesel due to tight supplies of the fuel, the head of the IEA said on Wednesday.

IEA says member countries ready to release more oil reserves if necessary

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.

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

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is disputing the auditor general’s projection that the first of the long-delayed littoral combat ship (LCS1) would only achieve full operational readiness by December 2035.

Defence Minister disputes AG's 2035 readiness projection for long-delayed combat ships

<p>Police have arrested seven people, including several foreigners, in connection with&nbsp;the theft of 2.5kg of jewellery worth over RM1.7 million from a shopping mall in Genting Highlands, Bentong, in August.</p>


Seven arrested over RM1.7 mil jewellery heist in Genting Highlands

<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>


<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>Datasonic Group Bhd (KL:DATASONIC) has terminated its proposed RM28.5 million acquisition of an industrial property in Petaling Jaya after a condition precedent requiring approval from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia was not fulfilled.</p>


Datasonic axes RM28 mil property deal after Fire Dept condition unmet

<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>Bursa Malaysia Securities has dismissed MMM Group Bhd’s (KL:MMM) appeal against the rejection of its proposed regularisation plan, paving the way for the company to be delisted on Oct 12.</p>


MMM Group to be delisted on Oct 12 as Bursa Malaysia dismisses appeal

<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>Retail prices for unsubsidised petrol will increase by 15 sen from Oct 8 to Oct 14 as Brent crude oil hovers around US$100 per barrel despite the recovery of crude oil flows from West Asia.</p>


Unsubsidised petrol up 15 sen from Oct 8, diesel prices stay

<p>Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the fifth Madani&nbsp;budget is based on a clear resolve to strengthen the nation’s economy and translate growth into a better life for the people.</p>


Anwar: Budget 2027 based on 'clear resolve' to strengthen economy, translate growth into better life

<p>Crude palm oil (CPO) prices could trade at a premium to soybean oil as early as April next year, as weather risks and rising biodiesel demand in Indonesia tighten global vegetable oil supplies, said industry analyst Thomas Mielke.</p>


CPO could trade at premium to soybean oil as early as April next year, says Mielke

<p>The Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) has initiated intervention measures to protect the rights and assist 372 workers of CJ Bio Malaysia Sdn Bhd affected by the closure of the company's plant in Kerteh, Terengganu, from Oct 15.</p>


CJ Bio plant closure: Intervention measures taken to protect rights of workers, says MOHR

<p>Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is disputing the auditor general’s projection that the first of the long-delayed littoral combat ship (LCS1) would only achieve full operational readiness by December 2035.</p>


<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>Lighting solutions provider Speedy Best Holdings Bhd, which also manufactures and sells steel poles and provides smart city solutions, is planning an ACE Market listing to raise funds for capacity expansion and to further develop its proprietary platform that uses artificial intelligence for smart city management.</p>


Speedy Best plans ACE Market IPO to raise funds for capacity expansion

<p>Enterprise IT services provider Ancile Tech Bhd has filed its draft prospectus for an initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market, as it seeks funds to set up an in-house network operations centre (NOC) and security operations centre (SOC), and expand its business beyond northern Peninsular Malaysia.</p>


IT solutions provider Ancile Tech files draft prospectus for ACE Market listing to fund business expansion

<p>ACE Market-listed Aemulus Holdings Bhd (KL:AEMULUS) has secured new orders worth US$3.86 million (RM15.77 million) from an undisclosed Singapore customer for test systems used in the data centre and artificial intelligence (AI) market.</p>


Aemulus secures RM15.8m orders for data centre, AI test systems from Singapore customer

<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>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>LONDON/MILAN (Oct 7):&nbsp;Traders have turned more discerning following a bond market rout, dumping the debt of European countries they deem the riskiest and rushing to safe-haven Germany.</p>

<p>The moves highlight a new hierarchy in the ever-evolving rankings of ​European debt.</p>

<p>Fr...

Investors pick new darlings and duds as selloff rocks Europe's bond market

<p>The interest rate on the most common US home loan jumped last week to its highest in almost three years, worsening affordability for buyers four weeks before elections that will decide if President Donald Trump's Republicans keep control of Congress.</p>
