Episode Highlights
Today’s episode covers major corporate developments in Malaysia, key investment trends, and global economic shifts impacting markets. Here’s what you need to know.
Key Malaysian Company News
* AMMB & MetLife Deal Canceled – The RM1.12 billion sale to Great Eastern is off, with no official reason given. Speculation links it to OCBC’s privatization struggles.
* AZRB Wins RM63.4 Million Bridge Contract – The construction firm secures a key infrastructure project in Kuala Lipis, boosting its earnings potential.
* Banking Stocks Attract Bullish Sentiment – Analysts highlight attractive valuations, emerging market growth, and AI-driven efficiency gains.
* Prolintas CEO Resigns Amid Corruption Scandal – Leadership shake-up raises investor concerns as corruption investigations continue.
* LYC Healthcare’s Auditor Dispute – Disagreement with Baker Tilly over audit fees forces LYC to seek a new auditor while pursuing a NASDAQ listing.
* F&N Reports Record Sales – Festive spending boosts revenue, but higher taxes impact overall profits.
* HCK Capital Director Increases Stake – Diong Tak Chong now holds a 5.27% stake, signaling potential internal shifts.
* KJTS Acquires Malakoff’s Cooling Unit – RM65.5 million deal strengthens its position in the building services sector.
* Rumors of MMC Port’s RM6 Billion IPO – If true, it would be Malaysia’s largest IPO in over a decade.
Notable Industry & Economic Trends
* AI Shake-Up Hits Nasdaq & Nvidia – Chinese startup Deepseek’s low-cost AI model disrupts the market, impacting major AI stocks.
* US Trade War Escalates – New tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico hit automakers and e-commerce firms like JD.com.
* Gold Prices Rise, but USD Strengthens – Investors turn to gold, but a strong US dollar limits gains.
* Shein Faces EU Investigation – The online fashion giant is under scrutiny for potential consumer law violations.
* Tesla’s French Sales Plummet 63% – Weak demand and competition lead to a major sales drop in January.
Key Local Policy & Financial Updates
* EPF Contribution for Foreign Workers Set at 2% – Lower than the original 12%, but still sparks debate.
* Voluntary EPF Contributions Hit RM13 Billion – A sign Malaysians are prioritizing retirement savings.
* Government Cracks Down on Online Fraud – New legal amendments strengthen efforts against cyber scams.
* Public Bank Faces Potential Losses – MayBank IB predicts goodwill impairments from its Hong Kong subsidiary.
* PAC Investigates MAHB Delisting – A public hearing is planned to address concerns over the airport operator’s privatization.
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