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Economy

Growth spurt for UK factories set to be short-lived, PMI shows

LONDON: UK factories grew at the fastest pace in four years as the industry sought to get ahead of price increases and supply strains triggered by the Middle East conflict, a key survey finds. 

Business

Bank partnerships a boon for Takaful Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Bhd is expected to continue benefiting from the company's bancatakaful partnerships with major lenders, underpinned by extensive retail banking franchises and financing pipelines as the takaful operator pushes to diversify beyond traditional credit-related products.

Auto

Stable jobs, interest rates fuel auto demand

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's automotive sector is likely headed for another strong year, with robust vehicle sales in the first four months of financial year 2026 (4M26) raising hopes that full-year sales will again defy expectations of a decline amid macroeconomic challenges.

Economy

Factory output expands as firms stockpile buffers over Iran war risks

TOKYO: Asia's factory activity is expanding steadily on stockpiling by some companies to get ahead of supply shocks from the Middle East conflict, private surveys show, a sign that the war's economic fallout is broadening across the region.

Analyst Reports

Cost pressures piling up for Econpile Holdings

PETALING JAYA: Econpile Holdings Bhd is expected to face a challenging fourth quarter, as rising input costs stemming from the Middle East conflict increasingly weigh on margins.

Plantations

Hap Seng Plantations on track for output recovery

PETALING JAYA: Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd is on track for an output recovery of 715,000 tonnes, supported by a recovery in cropping pattern.

Business

AI lure to Vietnam private capital market after prolonged slowdown

HO CHIH MINH CITY: VietNam's private capital market is entering a new growth cycle, with both private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) investments rebounding strongly after a prolonged slowdown, according to a report.

Analyst Reports

Oppstar eyes FY27 return to profitability

PETALING JAYA: The worst may be behind Oppstar Bhd following a challenging financial year ended March 31, 2026 (FY26), with the company expected to return to profitability in FY27, says Kenanga Research.

Banking

RHB records steady earnings growth in 1Q26

PETALING JAYA: RHB Bank Bhd has recorded a 14.2% rise in net profit to RM856.8mil for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 (1Q26) compared to the same quarter a year ago, mainly due to improvements in higher non-fund-based income, higher net funding income and lower allowances for credit losses.

Corporate News

Order book strength buoys Binastra earnings

PETALING JAYA: Binastra Corp Bhd is cautiously optimistic about its prospects going forward.

Analyst Reports

Deleum earnings momentum forecast to improve

PETALING JAYA: Deleum Bhd is expected to see earnings momentum improve over the coming quarters, underpinned by sustained demand for well intervention services, resilient upstream activities and growing opportunities in the gas turbine segment, despite lingering geopolitical and operational uncertainties.

Property

Fundamentals intact for IOIPG despite gearing rise

PETALING JAYA: IOI Properties Group Bhd's (IOIPG) lofty valuations despite the stronger-than-expected earnings is tempering optimism over the company's improving operational performance, with analysts pointing to concerns over elevated gearing.

Analyst Reports

Resilient order book, margins and cash reserves to bolster Dayang

PETALING JAYA: Analysts remain cautiously optimistic on Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd despite expectations for a softer operating environment in 2026, as the offshore maintenance specialist continues to benefit from a sizeable order book, resilient margins and strong cash reserves that support higher dividend payouts.

Nation

Gawai brings Sarawak together in celebration

KUCHING: A large crowd of visitors from all races, many wearing traditional finery, attended the Gawai open house hosted by Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah at the Unifor Complex here.

Analyst Reports

IJM starts FY27 with plans to unlock value

PETALING JAYA: After a kitchen-sinking fourth quarter ended March 31, 2026 (4Q26), IJM Corp Bhd is looking to reset investor sentiment with a RM3bil shareholder distribution plan designed to unlock value and enhance returns over the next three years, analysts say.

Nation

Watch your words and conduct, King warns politicians

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has ordered political leaders to uphold proper conduct and decorum, and to exercise caution when making public statements.

Banking

Maybank faces test to defend margins this year, analysts say

PETALING JAYA: Malayan Banking Bhd's (Maybank) earnings outlook remains closely tied to the lender's ability to defend its margins, accelerate higher-yield lending and navigate emerging macroeconomic risks.

Business

India factory activity expands further in May

BENGALURU: India's manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace in three months in May on sustained demand even as cost pressures were among the most intense in nearly four years and business optimism softened to its lowest since February, a survey shows.

Business

China’s private factory gauge slows as economy softens, growth falters

BEIJING: China's manufacturing activity has slowed, according to a private survey of export-oriented firms, in line with an official gauge that suggests the world's second-largest economy is losing some steam.

Business

France gets US$108bil in investment pledges

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron announced €93bil (US$108bil) in foreign investments at the "Choose France" summit, with the bulk coming from an investment pledge from SoftBank Group Corp.