In today’s deep dive, we unpack a surge in IPO excitement, a complex new fuel subsidy rollout, rising financial pressures, and escalating global trade tensions. From Bursa to Beijing — here’s what’s moving markets and shaping Malaysia’s economic landscape.
🏢 Malaysian Corporate & Market Highlights
🏆 United Plantations Named Company of the YearAt the Edge Billion Ringgit Club Awards, United Plantations clinched the top honour.
🚢 MMC Port Holdings Clears Path to Main MarketThe port operator gets the green light for a Main Market listing — expected to fund port expansion and digitalisation.
☀️ JS Solar Holdings Jumps 29% on ACE Debut
📉 Apollo Food Q1 Profit Falls 34%
Lower exports, higher costs
💸 Kuchai Development Announces Special Dividend + Bursa Exit
* RM0.448 per share special dividend
* Voluntary delisting after asset disposals
⚖️ Prasarana Loses RM30M Claim vs Penang Port
* Judge: Prasarana exited ferry ops too early
🏛️ Policy, Infrastructure & Inflation
⛽ Budi95 Fuel Subsidy Begins Sept 30
* RM1B allocated
* RM1.99/L for eligible Malaysians (300L/month)
* New tiers:
* RM2.05 for select commercial vehicles
* Market rate (~RM2.60) for non-citizens
🛠️ Managed via TNG Digital’s backend system
📈 Insurance Inflation Alert
* Financial services inflation: +5.6% (Aug)
* Hospital benefit premiums: +14.7%
⏳ Basic health insurance initiative still in development
🔐 Telcos Team Up Against Identity FraudCelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, TM & YTL Communications launch a mobile-based ID verification API
📲 Designed for banks & retailers to counter phishing and SIM swap fraud💡 More secure than SMS OTPs
🌏 Global Trade, Markets & Cooperation
🚨 OECD Warns: Full Impact of US Tariffs Still Incoming
* Effective import tariff rate now 19.5%
Suggests pressure on global trade flows will intensify
📦 China’s Export Surplus Sparks Alarm
* Projected US$1.2T trade surplus
* Oversupply of cheap goods could provoke retaliatory trade policies
🥇 Gold Hits Record High: US$3,784/oz
Driven by:
* Fed rate cut bets
* Weakening US labor data
* Classic flight to safety
🤝 ASEAN Signs Regional Competition Agreement
Signals push for fairer regional markets amid global turbulence
🧠 Final Thought
As China floods the global market with exports and the US tightens trade, the rest of the world faces a critical choice: respond in kind, or ride it out? The answers will ripple through global supply chains — and into your portfolio.
Investors should watch for retaliatory trade measures, shifting subsidy dynamics, and how corporate Malaysia continues adapting to both global headwinds and local reform.
🎧 Listen Now for a deep dive into Malaysia’s financial gems and global trends shaping 2025!
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