Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin dips below US$90,000 as AI worries dent risk appetite

SINGAPORE: Cryptocurrencies tumbled on Thursday and bitcoin fell back below the $90,000 threshold in a renewed signal of market jitters as fresh concerns about artificial intelligence profits weighed on technology stocks.

Commodities

Natural rubber output up 11.4% in October 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's natural rubber (NR) production rose 11.4 per cent to 29,673 tonnes in October 2025 from 26,647 tonnes in September, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said on Thursday.

Business

China's inflation hits two-year high as demand recovers

CHINA's consumer inflation accelerated to its highest level in nearly two years in November, official data showed on Wednesday, reinforcing signs of a gradual recovery in domestic demand as policy support continued to filter through the broader economy.

Business

China's ZTE may pay more than US$1bil to the US over foreign bribery allegations, sources say

CHINESE telecom equipment maker ZTE Corp may pay more than $1 billion to the U.S. government to resolve years-old allegations of foreign bribery, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Forex

Dollar stumbles as dovish Fed tempts bears

SINGAPORE: The dollar fell out of favour on Thursday after the Federal Reserve delivered a less hawkish outlook than some had anticipated, giving investors confidence to short the currency as they bet on two more rate cuts next year.

Banking

Bank Negara likely to keep OPR at 2.75% in 2026 despite US Fed rate cuts

KUALA LUMPUR: Analysts have expected Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to maintain the benchmark rate at 2.75 per cent in 2026 despite the United States central bank's latest rate cut.

Markets

FBM KLCI ticks up as analysts see range-bound trading ahead

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI climbed at midday as investors digested the US Federal Reserve's rate cut and firmer regional signals.

Markets

JD.com's Jingdong Industrials opens down 7.8% in Hong Kong debut

HONG KONG: Shares of Jingdong Industrials Inc, a unit of Chinese online retailer JD.com, opened down 7.8% in their Hong Kong Stock Exchange debut on Thursday, after the company raised HK$2.98 billion ($383.08 million) in a listing.

Markets

Wasco Greenergy sees strong bioenergy demand as industries shift to decarbonisation

KUALA LUMPUR: Wasco Greenergy Bhd is positioning itself as a niche integrated bioenergy solutions provider amid rising demand for decarbonisation technologies across the region.

Corporate News

Nvidia builds location verification tech that could help fight chip smuggling

SAN FRANCISCO: Nvidia has built location verification technology that could indicate which country its chips are operating in, the company confirmed on Wednesday, a move that could help prevent its artificial intelligence chips from being smuggled into countries where their export is banned.

Economy

Australia November jobs fall most in nine months, unemployment rate steady

SYDNEY: Australian employment fell in November by the most in nine months, while annual jobs growth slowed sharply from earlier this year, a sign the labour market is cooling and could ease pressure for a near-term rate hike.

Banking

Hong Kong central bank cuts interest rate, tracking Fed move

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's de-facto central bank lowered on Thursday its base interest rate charged via the overnight discount window by 25 basis points to 4.0%, tracking a cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Stock on the Move

Analysts upbeat on Gamuda’s outlook, highlight RM45bil–RM50bil order book potential

KUALA LUMPUR: Gamuda Bhd fell in early trade Thursday after earnings came in below expectations, but Maybank Investment Bank Research recommended buying the stock on weakness.

Auto

Proton’s November sales hit 13,451 units; YTD volume up 3.6%

PETALING JAYA: Proton Holdings Bhd recorded strong November sales of 13,451 units (domestic and export), driven by heightened public attention following the recent launches of the Proton e.MAS 5 and the all-new Proton Saga.

Analyst Reports

Apex positive on Cheeding’s RM13.5mil Genting Sempah contract

PETALING JAYA: Apex Securities has maintained its "buy" call on Cheeding Holdings Bhd following the group's announcement yesterday that it secured a RM13.5mil contract from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) for works at the PMU 132/11kV Genting Sempah substation.

Forex

Fed rate cut pushes ringgit to four-year peak vs greenback

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened at its strongest level in more than four years against the greenback after the US Federal Reserve (Fed) cut its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points (bps).

Markets

FBM KLCI opens firmer as Wall Street rallies on Fed rate cut

KUALA LUMPUR: The local bourse opened on a positive note, tracking Wall Street's overnight advance after the U.S. Federal Reserve trimmed rates by 25 basis points.

Banking

Divided Fed lowers rates, signals pause and one 2026 cut as growth rebounds

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Wednesday in another divided vote, but signaled it will likely pause further reductions in borrowing costs as officials look for clearer signals about the direction of the job market and inflation that "remains somewhat elevated."

Markets

Trading ideas: Gamuda, EcoWorld, BAuto, Astro, Sunsuria, Cheeding, Chin Hin

KUALA LUMPUR: Stocks to watch on Thursday include Gamuda Bhd, Eco World Development Group Bhd, Sunsuria Bhd, Bermaz Auto Bhd (BAuto), Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd, Cheeding Holdings Bhd and Chin Hin Group Bhd.

Commodities

Oil rises after US seizes tanker off Venezuela's coast

Oil prices settled higher on Wednesday after officials said the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, adding to concerns about immediate supplies.