Markets

Asia markets hit records on AI euphoria, yen surges again

SINGAPORE: Stocks leapt, oil prices sank and the dollar dropped on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump touted "great progress" towards a "final agreement" with Tehran, while momentum in AI-driven trades accelerated.

Corporate News

Lynas CEO says US, Europe rules sway buyers from Chinese rare earths

MELBOURNE: New government regulations in the U.S. and Europe are helping to push customers to buy rare earth products from suppliers outside China, the chief executive of Australia's Lynas Rare Earths said on Wednesday.

Retail

'Rooftop economy' latest consumption front

AFTER the "night economy", the "rooftop economy" is now taking to the rooftops of shopping centres nationwide.

Nation

Eight detained in probe over frozen Padini bank accounts

PUTRAJAYA: Eight individuals have been detained to assist with investigations into the freezing of several bank accounts belonging to clothing retailer Padini Holdings Bhd and its subsidiaries.

Markets

RT Pastry-KAF Investment Bank ink underwriting agreement for ACE Market IPO

KUALA LUMPUR: RT Pastry Holdings Bhd (RT Pastry) has signed an underwriting agreement with KAF Investment Bank Bhd for its initial public offering (IPO) and subsequent listing on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market.

Insurance

General insurance industry grows 4.8% in 2025, posts RM1.2bil underwriting profit - PIAM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's general insurance industry recorded gross written premium (GWP) of RM24.2 billion in 2025, representing a 4.8 per cent increase from RM23.1 billion in 2024, driven mainly by continued expansion in the motor and fire insurance segments, according to the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM).

Markets

Korea's Kospi breaks 7,000 as AI chip rally lifts Samsung into US$1 trillion club

SEOUL: An AI-powered surge in semiconductor shares sent South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index above 7,000 points in a historic first on Wednesday, with Samsung Electronics breaking the $1 trillion market-cap barrier.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia extends gains at midday in line with regional peers

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia extended gains at midday, tracking firmer regional markets amid progress in US-Iran peace talks, an analyst said.

Corporate News

Frontken's 1Q net profit jumps 36% on higher revenue

KUALA LUMPUR: A surge in topline contribution from Frontken Corp Bhd's core businesses, coupled with effective cost controls, drove the group's earnings higher in the first quarter of the financial year.

Banking

UOB Malaysia records RM2.5bil pre-tax profit in FY2025

KUALA LUMPUR: UOB Malaysia's profit before tax (PBT) of RM2.5 billion and total operating income of RM4.9 billion for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2025 (FY2025) were driven by a 9.5 per cent growth in operating profit and a lower level of expected credit losses, supported by writebacks of non-impaired assets.

Markets

Manforce falls on ACE Market debut

KUALA LUMPUR: Manforce Group Bhd made its debut on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd today at 37.5 sen per share, a discount of 0.5 sen from its initial public offering (IPO) price of 38 sen.

Commodities

Oil prices fall a second day as Trump indicates possible Iran peace deal

MELBOURNE: Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday on expectations bottled up supply from the key Middle East producing region could resume flowing after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a possible peace deal may be reached to end the war with Iran.

Forex

Ringgit opens higher against US$ ahead of Bank Negara policy meeting

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar on Wednesday ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)'s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting tomorrow, where policymakers will assess inflation and growth, key factors shaping the outlook for the Overnight Policy Rate.

Markets

Samsung Electronics' market cap surpasses US$1 trillion after US AI chip stocks surge

SEOUL: The market capitalisation of Samsung Electronics' common stock surpassed $1 trillion on Wednesday, making it the second Asian company after TSMC to reach the milestone.

Markets

Easing oil tensions send Bursa Malaysia higher

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI rose on Thursday as easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and falling oil prices bolstered a growing risk appetite for equities.

Corporate News

Trading ideas: Gamuda, TM, CIMB, Magni-Tech, Capital A, Rivertree, Ann Joo, Sunview, Public Bank, NexG, MPI, Hartalega

KUALA LUMPUR: Here is a recap of the announcements that made headlines in Corporate Malaysia.

Commodities

Oil prices fall 4% as US-Iran ceasefire holds

Oil prices fell about 4% in volatile trade on Tuesday, as two vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz and the United States said the ceasefire with Iran remained in place despite exchanges of fire.

Markets

S&P 500, Nasdaq hit records on AI chip rally

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq notched record high closes on Tuesday, lifted by Intel and other AI-related stocks, as a US-Iran ceasefire held firm and investors focused on strong quarterly earnings.

Economy

ESG summit to drive verifiable impact

The Asia ESG Summit 2026 places a sharp focus on helping industry leaders move beyond sustainability pledges towards delivering measurable outcomes.

Economy

Jakarta 1Q trade surplus halves amid slump in coal, coffee exports

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) has reported a trade surplus of US$5.55bil in the first quarter of this year, about half the US$10.91bil surplus recorded in the same period last year.