SME

CGC Digital, Credit Bureau Malaysia partner to boost MSMEs' financing readiness

KUALA LUMPUR: CGC Digital, the fintech subsidiary of Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC), has partnered with Credit Bureau Malaysia (CBM) to help Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) better understand their credit standing and improve their readiness to secure financing.

Commodities

Gold slips from two-week peak as oil advances; Fed meeting in focus

GOLD fell on Thursday from a two-week high hit the previous day, as an escalating Middle East conflict drove oil prices higher, while traders awaited the Federal Reserve policy meeting next week for clues on the timing of potential interest rate hikes.

Markets

Hong Kong, Malaysia collaborate to broaden cross-market access

HONG KONG and Malaysia will work together to expand access to capital and deepen cross-border participation in both markets as they look to attract more international investment.

Corporate News

AME REIT to acquire RM50.2mil Johor industrial land in maiden third-party deal

KUALA LUMPUR: AME Real Estate Investment Trust (AME REIT) is acquiring three parcels of vacant freehold industrial land measuring a combined 3.59 hectares at i-Park @ Senai Airport City, Johor, for RM50.2 million, marking its first third-party acquisition since its listing.

Banking

Maybank named world's best bank for corporate responsibility by Euromoney

KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has been named the World's Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, marking the group's first global recognition in the category and making it one of only two Asia-headquartered banks to receive a global award this year.

Aviation

AirBorneo sees strong demand for its first international route from Kuching to Singapore 

SINGAPORE: Sarawak state-owned airline AirBorneo Airways expects strong demand for its newly launched first international route between Kuching and Singapore, following the inaugural flight on July 22.

Technology

Humanoid robots close to 'ChatGPT moment'

THE humanoid robot industry could hit its "ChatGPT moment" by the end of 2028, based on current data accumulation rates and model convergence trends, said Wang He, founder and CTO of Beijing-based Galbot Co Ltd.

Markets

SC, Hong Kong SFC ink MoU to facilitate dual IPO listings, cross-border investments

KUALA LUMPUR: The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (SFC) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a practical framework to facilitate dual initial public offering (IPO) listings, including primary and secondary listings, mutual recognition of investment funds, and expanded cross-border investment opportunities.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia ends higher at mid-day amid firmer crude oil prices

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed marginally higher at mid-day in subdued market sentiment, with buying interspersed with selling in selected heavyweight stocks, tracking gains in regional markets amid surging crude oil prices.

Markets

Asian stocks rise as AI capex ramps up, oil at six-week highs

SINGAPORE: Asian stocks rose on Thursday after U.S. technology firms outlined significant capital spending plans that are likely to benefit chipmakers in the region, while the escalating war in the Middle East pushed oil prices to six-week highs.

Corporate News

Nestle beats Q2 organic sales expectations, forms waters joint venture

LONDON: Nestle on Thursday posted slightly better than expected second-quarter organic sales growth and said it expects to raise around 3 billion euros ($3.43 billion) from a joint venture with investment firm Platinum Equity for its waters and premium beverages business.

Corporate News

Betamek's 1Q net profit jumps on higher sales volume

KUALA LUMPUR: Betamek Bhd registered a net profit of RM8.25mil in its first financial quarter ended June 30, 2026, as compared to RM5.39mil in the year-ago quarter as it achieved a higher quarterly sales volume from major customers.

Corporate News

Westports records higher net profit of RM360.9mil in 2Q, div of 14.98c/share

KUALA LUMPUR: Westports Holdings Bhd is expecting overall container throughput to be about the same as in the previous year, as it anticipates a gradual recovery in energy supply to pre-crisis levels.

Banking

Maybank, CGIF ink MOU to strengthen Asean+3 local currency capital markets

KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank and Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility (CGIF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen and deepen local currency capital markets in ASEAN+3 markets (Southeast Asia, China, Japan and South Korea).

Markets

Japan's Nikkei rises as chip shares gain, BOJ's rate hike prospects weigh

TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average rose on Thursday, as chip-related stocks tracked their U.S. peers higher overnight, but prospects for an early rate hike from the Bank of Japan limited gains.

Economy

Australia jobs blow past expectations in June, cements bets of another rate rise

SYDNEY: Australian employment surged past all expectations in June, data showed on Thursday, in a sign of economic resilience that had markets wagering another hike in interest rates would be needed to restrain inflation.

Taxation

Tax management an integral part of corporate governance - IRB

KUALA LUMPUR: Tax management has become an integral part of corporate governance strategy as more companies place greater emphasis on tax compliance, risk management, and transparency in their business operations, the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board (IRB) said today.

Markets

Weak rebound on FBM KLCI as oil prices surge

KUALA LUMPUR: A lacklustre opening on Bursa Malaysia reflected the growing unease in global markets as oil prices surged overnight while the US tech sector slumped amid concerns over excessive spending.

Forex

Ringgit eases against US$, tracks major currencies

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit eased against the US dollar in the early session, tracking other major currencies, as the domestic unit is likely to stay cautious amid lingering West Asia tensions that further disrupt global oil and gas flows.

Economy

South Korea economy expands 0.6% q-o-q in Q2, better than expected

SEOUL: South Korea's economy grew faster than market expectations in the second quarter, driven by a semiconductor export boom that offset a decline in construction investment, advanced estimates from the Bank of Korea showed on Thursday.