Top foreign and local stories at 4pm

Sony's saviour: Sensors, used in smartphones such as the iPhone, have helped lead a turnaround at Sony.

Energy

Brent crude was 1.46% higher to US$45.18 per barrel at 3.24pm.

Forex

Ringgit down 0.51% to 3.9050 versus the US dollar at 3.49pm.

Top foreign news

S. Korea Q1 GDP growth seen slowing on weak exports: South Korea’s economic growth during the first three months of the year was expected to slow from the final quarter of 2015, a Reuters poll found on Friday, as Asia’s fourth-largest economy was hit by tumbling exports and weak capital investment at home. — Reuters

Mitsubishi Motors mileage scandal widens: Mitsubishi Motors Corp’s fuel economy scandal broadened on Friday as US auto safety authorities said they were seeking information and after reports that the automaker submitted misleading data on at least one more model than disclosed and likely several more. — Reuters

Goldman says commodities rally not backed by fundamentals: The recent rally in commodity prices is not supported by fundamentals in the physical markets, Goldman Sachs said, adding that oil could see downside risks in the near term. — Reuters

Sony to delay announcing earnings forecasts to assess quake damage: Japanese electronics giant Sony Corp said on Friday it would delay announcing earnings forecasts for this business year as it continues to assess the impact of the powerful earthquakes that have halted its image sensor plant in southern Japan.

Top local news

EPF members can submit online for education withdrawals: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has expanded the e-Withdrawal facility to include education withdrawals. The EPF said on Friday members could submit their applications online to withdraw from their EPF savings to finance their own or their children’s education fees at local higher learning institutions. — StarBiz

Malaysia to woo 20 more MNCs to set up principal hub: The Government aims to bring in a further 20 multinational companies (MNCs) to establish their principal hub in Malaysia this year following investments totalling RM7.31 billion derived from 12 MNCs to date. — Bernama