Commodities

Palm oil dips on outlook for expanding Malaysian inventories

PALM oil dipped ahead of Malaysian data due Thursday that are expected to show rising stockpiles and weaker exports from the world's second-biggest grower.

Banking

Traders bet on two rate hikes by year-end before ECB meeting

Euro zone government bond yields hovered near multi-year highs on Wednesday before the European Central Bank meeting as traders priced in two rate hikes in 2026 and a deposit rate of 3% by late 2027.

Corporate News

Mikro MSC to acquire cable and security systems firm for RM30mil

PETALING JAYA: Mikro MSC Bhd is proposing to acquire cable and security system wholesale firm Broadguard Sdn Bhd (BSB) from Sie Chee Din and Wong Meng Jie for RM30mil.

Corporate News

Google to invest US$15bil AI infrastructure in Finland

HELSINKI: Alphabet's Google will invest at least €13 billion ($15.1 billion) in artificial intelligence infrastructure in Finland over the next two years, it said on Wednesday, calling it the company's single largest investment in Europe.

Energy

Oil nears US$100 as fresh Middle East strikes raise supply risks

NEW DELHI: Brent crude prices were trading close to $100 a barrel on Wednesday for the first time since July, as escalating attacks across the Middle East fuelled concerns over disruptions to oil supplies from the region.

Forex

Indonesia's rupiah near 4-month high as dollar weakens, inflows improve

INDONESIA's rupiah rose to a near four-month high on Wednesday, propping up emerging Asia currencies, aided by a weaker dollar and improved investment inflows into the country.

Commodities

Gold gains 1% with US inflation data, Middle East risks in focus

GOLD prices rose 1% on Wednesday as the dollar remained subdued, while renewed U.S.-Iran tensions and upcoming inflation data kept investors focused on the interest-rate outlook.

Business

Squeezable toys relieve student, staff stress

IN a shopping mall in Hopson One Mall in Yangpu district, Shanghai, hundreds of visitors line up at a popup store. They are drawn by a popular item — squishy cake toys — colorful, foam squeezables designed for stress relief and fashion statements.

Markets

Oil heads for US$100, Asia stocks subdued as Middle East tensions escalate

TOKYO: Brent crude rallied towards $100 per barrel on Wednesday, keeping the mood in Asian stock markets subdued, as attacks intensified in the Middle East, stoking inflation worries ahead of the release of closely watched U.S. consumer price data.

Markets

ACE Market-bound GB Bond aims to raise RM16.08mil via IPO

KUALA LUMPUR: GB Bond Holdings Bhd aims to raise RM16.08 million from its initial public offering (IPO) ahead of its listing on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market on Oct 1, 2026.

Economy

Malaysia's IPI expands 4.7% in July, manufacturing sales hit RM177.3bil

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Industrial Production Index (IPI) expanded 4.7 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in July 2026, supported by growth in the manufacturing and electricity sectors, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Aviation

Singapore Airlines to seek tougher terms for any fresh Air India funding, sources say

HONG KONG: Singapore Airlines , backed by state investor Temasek, is expected to seek greater influence over management and stronger governance rights before approving a capital injection into Air India, said two people familiar with the matter.

Corporate News

Scientex's FY26 earnings rise to RM620.17mil, declares 6c div/share

KUALA LUMPUR: Scientex Bhd ended its financial year on July 31, 2026, with a higher bottomline, underpinned by improved contribution from both its packaging and property divisions.

Markets

FBM KLCI slips as oil prices creep towards US$100 a barrel

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI drifted slightly lower in the early session as traders cast a wary eye on inflation risks amid growing hostilities in the Middle East and rising oil prices.

Forex

Australian dollar pauses after blistering rally, rate support intact

SYDNEY: The Australian dollar took a breather from its recent rally on Wednesday as a widening war in the Gulf weighed on risk sentiment, though hawkish central bank messaging added to the case for an imminent rate hike.

Corporate News

Perdana Petroleum proposes additional 'third eye' for offshore monitoring

KUALA LUMPUR: Budget 2027 should consider establishing a formal information-sharing framework that enables offshore support vessels (OSVs) to serve as an additional "third eye" in safeguarding Malaysia's waters and critical offshore energy infrastructure, said Perdana Petroleum Bhd.

Markets

Trading direction remains dictated by external environment

KUALA LUMPUR: Growing uncertainties in the external environment are exerting pressure on the domestic market, and likely to dictate near-term direction, according to Apex Securities.

Forex

Ringgit opens higher against US$ amid rate-hike expectations

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar on Wednesday as the greenback weakened, while markets weighed the prospects of interest rate hikes in the United States and Japan.

Corporate News

Trading ideas: TRC, Favelle, QES, Genting, Theta Edge, DNeX, Maybank, Public Bank, Ni Hsin, NCT, IJM, Hektar REIT, Zetrix AI, Pioneer, EGH

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

Commodities

Oil jumps on new Houthi attacks, Kharg blasts

Brent oil advanced to the highest since late July as another round of strikes on Middle East energy infrastructure, including reported explosions at Iran's vital export hub Kharg Island, stoked fears of fresh supply tightness.