In today’s episode, we cut through an event‑packed week — from earnings shocks and restructuring plays to a U.S.–China trade breakthrough and Malaysia’s tightening governance agenda.
It’s all about connecting the dots between global volatility and Malaysia’s domestic response.
Corporate & Market Updates
📉 Bursa Malaysia Cuts 2025 Profit Target
* Forecast trimmed from RM369–408 M → RM314–347 M PBT.
* Q3 net profit down 25%+ — subdued trading sentiment drives caution.
🚬 British American Tobacco (BAT) Plunges 90% YoY
* Q3 profit hits record low on display bans & pictorial warnings.
Sales volume for combustibles nearly halved — a direct regulatory hit.
📊 CTOS Digital: Revenue +4%, profit –10.4% — higher costs & lower associate income.🏢 Pavilion REIT: NPI +10% on new assets (Banyan Tree KL & Pavilion Bukit Jalil).🌴 Chin Teck Plantations: 5× profit boost from one‑off land sale; warns FY 2026 to normalize.
Restructuring & Corporate Strategy
✈️ Capital A Targets PN17 Exit by December
* Airline consolidation on track; pivoting to AirAsia Next Digital Services (NASDAQ).
🏢 EWI Capital Shifts to Investment Holding
* Investing RM276.5 M in Australian office fund ( >10% target returns ).
🚚 Pharmaniaga Buys RM30.5 M Warehouses
* Facilities inn Terengganu & Sarawak to bolster distribution; PN17 exit planned Q1 2026.
🧰 AWC Secures RM99 M Facilities Management Deal
* 5‑year contract with TM Technology Services adds visibility to earnings.
🐠 Aquawalk Group Plans ACE Market IPO
* Operator of Aquaria KLCC to fund upgrades & new oceanariums in Kota Kinabalu and Java.
🛫 Ascend Airways Malaysia Cleared for Operations
* Launching cargo flights in November.
📈 Perak Corp Hits 6‑Year High
* Company “cannot explain” rally; exploring ventures
⚖️ KNM Group Shareholders Adjourn EGM
* on German unit sale to post‑delisting.
🏦 CIMB Niaga (+3%) 9‑Month Profit Rise
* Resilient loan growth in Indonesia.
Policy, Politics & Reforms
🏠 Five Housing Reforms Coming in Nov
* Goal: Eliminate abandoned projects by 2030.
* Push for 10:90 build‑then‑sell model to protect homebuyers.
🧱 SG4 States Push for Fair Rare Earth Revenue
* Opposition‑led states demand equitable profit sharing; warn Putrajaya against repeating oil royalty disputes.
🤝 Malaysia‑US Reciprocal Trade Deal Signed
* Focus: data centers & AI investments.
* Contains exit clause to preserve sovereignty amid foreign investment push.
🩺 Lindung 24/7 Social Security Scheme Under Review
* Employers call for sustainable contribution rates; actuarial reform pending.
🛂 Advanced Passenger Screening System (APSS) Launched
* Real‑time border control upgrade to combat illegal entries & fraud.
🚨 Online Fraud Crackdown:
* > 2,000 arrests for mule accounts.
📑 MyCC Fines 26 Companies RM97.3 M
* for bid‑rigging cartels.
⚖️ Legal Front
* 1MDB Tanore Trial: Prosecution calls Najib “orchestrator,” not victim.
* Lim Guan Eng Case: Defense challenges MACC bias claims.
* Telegram Ordered to Shut Down Edisi Siasat & Edisi Khas channels over harmful content.
Global Markets & Geopolitics
🇺🇸🇨🇳 Trump & Xi Trade Deal
* U.S. cuts some tariffs (fentanyl goods → 10%).
* China pauses rare earth export controls for a year.
💰 U.S. Fed Cuts Rates by 25 bps
* Chair Powell signals likely pause for 2025 — policy uncertainty remains.
🚗 Global Auto Output Threatened by Chip Shortages
* Vehicle control chip exports stalled amid trade dispute.
⚔️ U.S. Defense Shift
* Trump orders nuclear weapons testing to resume; approves South Korean nuclear sub build.
🎧 Listen Now for a deep dive into Malaysia’s financial gems and global trends shaping 2025!
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