Investment

Mida's IMFC resolves over 44,000 investor cases in two years

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre (IMFC) has resolved more than 44,000 investor cases, achieving a 99.9 per cent implementation rate within two years.

Markets

Shares edge up in thinly-traded holiday markets, Japan data disappoint

LONDON/SYDNEY: World shares steadied on Monday after Friday's drop triggered by AI-related concerns as the Lunar New Year holiday in Asia and President's Day in the U.S. made for thin trading.

Forex

Ringgit ends higher vs greenback following stronger-than-expected GDP

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit closed higher against the US dollar, following the stronger-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) announcement last Friday, an economist said.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia pares earlier losses to close slightly higher ahead of CNY holidays

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia pared earlier losses to close slightly higher on Monday, as investors continued to adopt a measured, opportunistic approach rather than broad-based risk aversion ahead of the Chinese New Year (CNY) holidays.

Commodities

Gold drops more than 1% as thin trade, profit‑taking weigh

GOLD prices dropped on Monday, pressured by thin trading volumes as U.S. and China markets remained shut due to local public holidays, while some traders booked profits after last session's 2.5% jump.

Economy

EPF dividend seen at 6.3% to 6.5% for 2025 - economist

KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is expected to deliver a dividend rate of between 6.3 per cent and 6.5 per cent for 2025, said Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid.

Corporate News

Pentas Flora enters Japanese market with premium RRBO

KUALA LUMPUR: Pentas Flora, Malaysia's leading re-refined base oil (RRBO) producer and scheduled waste management specialist, has announced its introduction of its high-quality, sustainable RRBO to the Japanese market.

Economy

Singapore's exports up 9.3% in Jan on strong AI-related demand

SINGAPORE: Singapore's non-oil domestic exports (NODX) grew by 9.3 per cent in January 2026, supported by strong artificial intelligence (AI)-related demand, according to Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG).

Auto

Automotive sales up 27% to 64,298 units in Jan 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's automotive sector total industry volume (TIV) increased 27 per cent to 64,298 units in January 2026 from 50,449 units in the same month last year, mainly contributed by the spill-over effect from new model launches towards the end of 2025.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia ends morning session lower on persistent selling

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session lower as persistent selling in selected heavyweights continued to dampen market sentiment.

Corporate News

MISC's JV secures contract extension for FPSO Ruby II in Vietnam

KUALA LUMPUR: MISC Group said its joint venture company, Vietnam Offshore Floating Terminal (Ruby) Ltd (VOFT), has secured a contract for the FPSO Ruby II with Vietnam National Industry – Energy Group (Petrovietnam).

Corporate News

Hextar Capital says not related to firm mentioned in MACC report

KUALA LUMPUR: Hextar Capital Bhd clarified that it has no relation to a business entity named Opcom Sdn Bhd named in a report filed with the government's anti-corruption agency.

Corporate News

Farmiera loses three chicken houses in fire incident

KUALA LUMPUR: Farmiera Bhd announced a fire incident at its broiler farm in Kampung Air Hitam in Linggi, Negeri Sembilan, over the weekend.

Economy

Malaysia's 2026 GDP growth seen at 4.5-4.7% driven by domestic demand, export growth

KUALA LUMPUR: Investment banks and research firms have revised or maintained their 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts to between 4.5 per cent and 4.7 per cent, driven by stronger domestic demand and export growth, as well as ongoing investment realisation.

Commodities

Oil drifts ahead of US-Iran nuclear talks

SINGAPORE: Oil prices traded sideways on Monday ahead of talks between Washington and Tehran, with concerns about Iran-U.S. tensions disrupting oil flows keeping a floor under prices, while OPEC+ leans in favour of resuming output hikes from April.

Markets

Foreign investors continue as net buyers on Bursa Malaysia for 6th straight week

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign investors remained net buyers on Bursa Malaysia for a sixth consecutive week, recording RM377.2 million in net foreign inflows, around 25 times higher at RM15.0 million than the previous week, according to MBSB Investment Bank Bhd.

Forex

Ringgit opens firmer vs US$, tracking positive momentum on 4Q 2025 GDP growth

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit strengthened against the US dollar at the opening on Monday, tracking positive momentum on the better-than-expected fourth quarter (4Q) 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.3 per cent which was announced last Friday, an analyst said.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia sees subdued trading ahead of CNY holiday

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia was predictably quiet on Monday as traders cleared their desks in preparation for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Markets

Asia shares becalmed by holidays, dire Japan data

SYDNEY: Asian shares were quietly consolidating recent hefty gains on Monday as holidays made for thin trading, and dismal economic data out of Japan took some of the heat out of that booming market.

Advertising & Media

GO Communications appoints Andreas Vogiatzakis as chairman

PETALING JAYA: GO Communications recently announced the appointment of Andreas Vogiatzakis as its non-executive chairman, marking a significant milestone for the 20-year standing, independent agency, while sending a strong signal across Malaysia's marketing, media and communications landscape.