Economy

Matrade aids MSME exports with RM5bil scheme

The government's RM5bil financial guarantee initiative for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is expected to provide a significant boost to the sector, particularly exporters, by strengthening their working capital and sustaining trade momentum amid current cost pressures.

Corporate News

CIMB profits to stay firm

While CIMB Group Holdings Bhd may continue to face headwinds in multiple geographies, its high dividend yields bolstered by special dividends, an ongoing turnaround in the Thailand region and solid non-interest income (NOII) prospects still make it an attractive pick.

Economy

Thai rice output likely to rise on good weather

Rice exports are another important source of income for Thailand.

Economy

E&E demand to support export growth in 2026

Exports are expected to stay strong into 2026, helping to support overall economic growth despite rising global risks.

Insight

Opening Hormuz is the easy part – restoring oil flows isn’t

The stop-start shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz underscores the profound uncertainty hanging over the world's most critical oil and gas chokepoint.

Economy

Thailand weighs huge emergency borrowing decree on twin threats

Thailand is considering issuing an emergency decree authorising the Finance Ministry to borrow 500 billion baht as the government braces for twin threats from soaring energy costs and a looming super El Niño.

Economy

Tech sector to improve on pricing, AI demand

Improvement in price adjustments and growing exposure to artificial intelligence data centres (DCs) within analogue semiconductors are positive factors supporting the local technology sector, moving forward.

Corporate News

Apple names Ternus as next CEO, Tim Cook as chairman

Apple Inc chief executive officer (CEO) Tim Cook will hand the reins to hardware boss John Ternus later this year, capping a 15-year tenure that turned the company into a US$4 trillion business spanning watches, video streaming and financial services.

Business

'Military is raring to go': Trump says he does not want to extend ceasefire with Iran

WASHINGTON (Reuters): President Donald Trump told CNBC in an interview on Tuesday (April 21) that he does not want to extend a ceasefire with Iran, adding the United States was in a strong negotiating position and would end up with what he called a "great deal".

Business

Hong Kong bluechips Cathay, MTR tap record-hot Hong Kong dollar bond market

SYDNEY/HONG KONG: Two of Hong Kong's biggest companies, transport operator MTR Corp and airline Cathay Pacific, are raising about HK$21 billion ($2.68 billion) through separate bond issues, according to sources and a term sheet seen by Reuters, as demand for Hong Kong dollar funding hits a record year-to-date high.

Commodities

Govt to roll out B15 biodiesel as over 70% of blending depots ready

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 70 per cent of blending depots in Malaysia are ready to implement B15 biodiesel using existing facilities, following the government's announcement to gradually increase the biodiesel blend.

Business

Ringgit strengthens against US dollar and major currencies

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit strengthened against the US dollar and other major currencies at Tuesday's close, despite a firmer US Dollar Index, as investors closely monitored developments and anticipated the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran.,KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit strengthened against the US dollar and other major currencies at Tuesday's close, despite a firmer US Dollar Index, as investors closely monitored developments and anticipated the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Corporate News

Cape EMS expands into AI, EV and energy interconnect solutions

KUALA LUMPUR: Cape EMS Bhd has established GrandCape (M) Sdn Bhd via a joint venture with New Grand Tech (HK) Ltd to expand into interconnect solutions for AI data centres (AIDC), electric vehicles (EVs) and battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Corporate News

Silver Ridge unit secures construction contract

PETALING JAYA: Silver Ridge Holdings Bhd (SRHB) has accepted contracts worth a total of RM2.49mil for the construction of three two-storey shophouses in Kapar, Selangor.

Banking

Anwar: Banking institutions must act as strategic partners to sustain domestic economy

KUALA LUMPUR: Banking institutions must shoulder their responsibility as strategic partners to sustain the domestic economy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Corporate News

World's top condom maker Karex to raise prices sharply as Iran war strains supply chain

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Karex Bhd , the world's top condom producer, plans to raise prices by 20% to 30% and possibly further if supply chain disruptions drag on due to the Iran war, its chief executive said on Tuesday.

Economy

Malaysia remains resilient, thanks to focus on fiscal discipline, economic reform

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia remains resilient despite global supply constraints and energy price volatility, thanks to its focus on fiscal discipline and economic reform.

Markets

FBM KLCI extends gains as investors eye US-Iran peace talks

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI finished higher on Tuesday, extending gains for a fourth straight session, as investors looked ahead to potential U.S.-Iran peace talks that could ease tensions in the Middle East.

Technology

YTL AI Labs launches ILMU Claw to help users build AI agents

KUALA LUMPUR: YTL AI Labs today launched ILMU Claw, enabling Malaysian users, developers, and enterprises to build autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents, hosted entirely on Malaysian infrastructure through the secure YTL AI Cloud.

Forex

Ringgit outlook firm, set to retest 3.88 level amid strong inflows

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit's outlook remains firm, supported by underlying macroeconomic fundamentals, with the market expected to retest the 3.88 level against the US dollar, reflecting short-term market positioning rather than a shift in the currency's trajectory, economists said.