In today’s episode of Malaysia Money Matters, we unpack a wide range of developments—from EPF’s strategic buy-in at 99 Speedmart to government tax reforms and foreign investors pouring into Malaysian bonds.
We also explore why global deflation risks, China’s fragile recovery, and renewed US-China trade talks are shaping markets from Kuala Lumpur to London.
🇲🇾 Malaysian Company & Market News
🔹 EPF Acquires 5% in 99 SpeedmartAlongside longer store hours expected to nudge up revenue, EPF’s 5.02% stake adds institutional weight to the homegrown retailer.
🔹 Ancom Nylex Consolidates ControlPlans full takeover of delisted Nylex via capital reduction, offering 5 sen per share—streamlining its corporate structure.
🔹 Chin Well Expands LandbankSpends RM48.5M acquiring industrial land in Seberang Perai, pointing to long-term manufacturing and logistics growth plans.
🔹 Ecomate Diversifies into ICTBuying 50% of PCS to enter the tech space—diversification alongside a bonus issue. A strategic pivot amid furniture sector challenges.
🔹 Scientex Packaging Exits MyanmarWeak profit performance and instability in the region drive its withdrawal—highlighting geopolitical risk in expansion strategies.
🔹 KNM & Omesti Push RestructuringKNM seeks RM182M interest waiver in debt plan, sells German unit. Omesti announces capital reduction to manage losses.
🏛 Policy, Economy & Market Outlook
🔹 Expanded SST Rolls OutAs of July 1, 5–10% tax applies to more goods and services, including luxury rentals, high-end healthcare, and foreigner-targeted education. Essentials remain exempt.
🔹 Mobile Data Collection ProceedsMCMC-DOSM plan from 2023 rolls out nationwide—aggregated, anonymised, but no opt-out—raising privacy and transparency questions.
🔹 Bonds Up, Stocks DownQ1 earnings season disappoints; Maybank IB and CIMB lower FBM KLCI targets. Banking sector downgraded. Yet, foreign investors poured US$2.9B into Malaysian gov bonds in May—the highest since Oct 2013.
🔹 ECRL Spurs Sector InterestSpeculation on a new spur line boosts sentiment around construction players like IJM and Muhibbah Engineering.
🌍 Global Trends & Their Impact on Malaysia
🌐 China: Deflation Deepens, Lending ReboundsConsumer and factory prices fall again in May, but new yuan loans triple—offering a mixed signal as Beijing walks the stimulus tightrope.
🌐 US-China Talks ResumeFresh negotiations kick off in London post-Geneva pact. Rare earths high on the agenda. Trade tensions persist, despite minor breakthroughs.
🏦 Europe Holds Steady on RatesBOE sees disinflation continuing; ECB stays near 2% inflation target. Both remain cautious amid global uncertainty.
📈 Emerging Market Bonds Attract CapitalGlobal investors continue to chase yield. US$331B in EM bonds sold this year—rising demand fueled by weaker USD and looming rate cuts.
📌 Key Takeaways & Investor Insights
✅ Malaysia’s domestic sentiment is split—stock outlook cautious, bond flows surging with US$2.9B inflow in May.✅ Retail, manufacturing, and ICT sectors show agility, while others like construction and oil & gas await policy clarity.✅ Expanded SST aims to raise revenue with minimal consumer disruption—watch for long-term consumption shifts.✅ China’s economic turbulence, rare earth leverage, and US trade friction remain key global headwinds.✅ Foreign investor appetite signals confidence in Malaysian macro stability despite mixed Q1 earnings.
🎧 Listen Now for a deep dive into Malaysia’s financial gems and global trends shaping 2025!
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