Credibility is Malaysia’s 2026 test
The ringgit has strengthened about 17% since early 2024, foreign investors poured US$6.5bil into local currency bonds in 2025, and the benchmark equity index is up 12% year-on-year, hitting levels last seen in 2018.
Tech stocks hit by fresh AI fears
Just as some calm was thought to have settled over the artificial intelligence (AI) bubble fears, following a string of reassuring third-quarter (3Q) earnings and guidance from major technology players such as Nvidia, Microsoft and Alphabet, massive selloffs erupted afresh this week.
PNB sticks to value in IJM takeover
The proposed takeover of IJM Corp Bhd by Sunway Bhd has stirred one of the most talked-about corporate debates in the Malaysian market this year.
Indonesia MSCI alert sends ripples to Malaysia
Global equity markets were jolted recently when global index provider MSCI warned that Indonesia's stock market may be reclassified from an emerging market to a frontier market unless structural issues are addressed by May.
Leadership exodus tests Malaysia’s digital banks
The reshuffling of chief executives and senior leaders across Malaysia's digital banks has become one of the sector's most persistent subplots this year.
Rising solar module prices to challenge cost discipline
The renewable energy theme is set to sustain momentum in 2026, driven by a wave of projects and growing multi-year order books for developers and players in the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning space.
Enhance local content terms
Malaysia has made some progress when it comes to refining its incentive schemes for foreign investments.
SC Estate Builder’s hotel acquisition under scrutiny
When a company with accumulated losses on its books and a market capitalisation of just over RM50mil tries to buy a stake in a non-operational hotel, it is only natural for the deal to attract scrutiny.
Power struggle unfolds at DFCity
DFCITY Group Bhd's sudden move towards an attempted boardroom purge – including the removal of an independent director – raises questions about corporate governance, shareholder intent and the balance of power in the small-cap listed company.
EV dreams, petrol reality
The expectation was that the removal of the tax holiday for electric vehicles (EVs) would have meant that people will be paying more for their electric cars from 2026.
