Markets

Wall St ends mixed in truncated Black Friday trading

US stocks ended little-changed in holiday-shortened trading on Friday, with low volume and conviction as investors watched the start of the seasonal shopping season for signs of consumer resiliency.

Commodities

Oil notches weekly gain ahead of Opec+ decision

Oil fell on Friday as the release of some hostages in Gaza reduced the geopolitical risk premium, but prices notched their first week of gains in over a month ahead of next week's Opec+ meeting to decide on production cuts in 2024.

Corporate News

Scientex eyes sustainable growth

Despite the uncertainties that continue to loom over the local plastic packaging sector, Scientex Bhd continues to chart stable growth.

Corporate News

EMPOWER YOUR BUSINESS WITH 5G

All businesses aim to increase their advantage in a world that is already highly competitive.

Insight

Zero-tolerance for non-compliance among firms

Most of the time, when we talk about regulators, the first few things that come to mind would be authority, policy and probably punishment.

Banking

Grab-backed GXBank to expand reach via customised solutions

Malaysia's first digital bank GX Bank Bhd (GXBank) is looking to disrupt the local banking industry with customised innovative solutions, tilting its focus towards the underserved community as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Economy

Black Friday shoppers go second-hand in UK

As Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season, retailers and manufacturers anticipate a growing number of British consumers will be hunting for refurbished and pre-owned bargains to save cash and shop more sustainably.

Economy

Sentiment and spending habits

Consumers are more concerned about micro issues affecting them domestically compared with macro issues such as war and geopolitical uncertainties.

Insight

Ringgit’s misfortunes driven by investment flows

Much has been debated as to the cause of the ringgit’s weakness. Despite the promise of reforms, as well as the baby steps introduced in Budget 2024, the ringgit continues to head south, vis-a-vis the mighty US dollar.

Insight

Copper supply rethink as smelter treatment charges fall

Chilean copper miner Antofagasta last week inked the first major 2024 concentrates supply deal with China’s Jinchuan Group. It remains to be seen whether the terms form an annual benchmark for others.

Property

Upward trend for office space

In spite of the oversupply of office space within the Klang Valley and hybrid working practices post pandemic, the segment has been seeing growing occupancy rates this year.

Corporate News

MST Golf aims for a hole-in-one

Four months after going public, MST Golf Group Bhd is gearing up for a hole-in-one, as its expansion plans take off smoothly.

Corporate News

TNB’s revenue grows on higher power demand

Growth in demand for electricity fuelled Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) topline expansion but earnings were lower for the third quarter ended Sept 30 (3Q23) due to lower imbalance-cost -pass-through (ICPT) during the period.

Corporate News

IOIProp continues to see opportunities ahead

IOI Properties Group Bhd (IOIProp) says its product offerings and improving tourism will continue to drive it portfolio returns despite the softness of the Chinese economy and property market.

Corporate News

SDP to surpass sales target

Sime Darby Property Bhd (SDP) is on track to surpass its financial year 2023 (FY23) sales target of RM2.7bil.

Economy

Inflation moderates to 1.8%

Malaysia’s headline inflation moderated to 1.8% in October – its lowest level since April 2021 – from 1.9% in September, amid lower price increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages. Core inflation rate increased at a slower pace of 2.4% on-year, but remained above pre-pandemic average of up 1.7%.

Economy

Ringgit remains well-supported

After the past month’s rally, government bonds continued to find support to sustain near pre-existing levels.

Corporate News

Labour shortage issue over for Sime Darby Plantation

Sime Darby Plantation Bhd is reaping the benefits of months of rehabilitation efforts with an increased workforce turning around its upstream domestic operations in its third quarter of its financial year.

Banking

Banks to continue backing ESG-compliant companies

With news in recent weeks about the huge outflow of funds from green energy-focused stocks in developed economies, it is perhaps pertinent to ascertain what banks make of this issue that has affected some of the highly environmental, social and governance (ESG)-compliant companies in the world.

Energy

Green vision dilemma

Countries in Europe and the United States have been relentless in the race to their net-zero goals.