Forex

Ringgit ends easier against greenback amid West Asia tensions

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit closed slightly lower against the US dollar on Thursday as escalating tensions in West Asia fuelled expectations of a potential United States (US) interest rate hike, supporting the greenback.

Corporate News

YNH defers RM34.4mil coupon payments ahead of RM455mil land sale

YNH Property Bhd has deferred approximately RM34.41mil in coupon payments and accumulated coupon obligations on its two outstanding perpetual securities tranches, in accordance with the terms of its trust deed.

Corporate News

Pavilion REIT sees resilient tourism, retail activity ahead

PETALING JAYA: Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust (Pavilion REIT) expects tourism and retail activity around Kuala Lumpur to remain resilient despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and softer retail sales expectations, after reporting a 13.2% increase in second-quarter (2Q26) net income.

Corporate News

KIP REIT posts record FY26 earnings, highest-ever annual distribution

KUALA LUMPUR: KIP Real Estate Investment Trust (KIP REIT) posted record financial results for the financial year ended June 30, 2026 (FY2026), driven by contributions from newly acquired assets and resilient performance across its retail portfolio.

Corporate News

Zecon unit secures RM328mil contract for 100MW Sarawak Solar Project

PETALING JAYA: Zecon Bhd's (Zecon) wholly-owned subsidiary, Zecon Renewables (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd (ZRS), has awarded a RM328mil engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contract to fellow wholly-owned unit, Zecon Renewables Sdn Bhd (ZRE).

Corporate News

Kerjaya Prospek wins RM52.5mil Klang Valley job

PETALING JAYA: Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd has secured a contract from a customer in respect of the sub-contract for the execution and completion of civil, structural and basic low-voltage mechanical and electrical (M&E) works in the Klang Valley for RM52.5mil.

Markets

FBM KLCI snaps three-day losing streak on bargain hunting

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia snapped a three-day losing streak on Thursday, tracking gains across regional markets despite lingering geopolitical tensions.

Banking

MBSB Group divests 100% stake in Midf Amanah Asset Management

KUALA LUMPUR: MBSB Bhd via its wholly owned subsidiary Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd has divested its 100 per cent equity interest in MIDF Amanah Asset Management Bhd (MAAM) to Tortoise Works Sdn Bhd.

Business

Former bank analyst jailed three years for unlicensed securities activities

PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has sentenced former bank analyst Mohd Arif Fadzlee Mohd Arifin to three years imprisonment after finding him guilty of unlicensed regulated activities and the unlawful use of the Unit Trust Consultant (UTC) title.

Corporate News

Samaiden reaches key construction milestone for 196MWp Pasir Mas solar development

KUALA LUMPUR: Samaiden Group Bhd's indirect subsidiary, Samaiden Legasi Timur Sdn Bhd (SLT), has achieved a major construction milestone for its Large Scale Solar 5 (LSS5) project in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, marking the commencement of full-scale construction.

Energy

Oil prices rise for a fifth day on supply concerns amid chokepoint threats

OIL prices rose for a fifth day on Thursday on increasing concerns about supply availability amid attacks on tankers in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthis and strikes between the U.S. and Iranthat have once again nearly shut the Strait of Hormuz.

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.