Economy

Japan intervenes to prop up yen ahead of BOJ policy decision, source says

TOKYO: Japan conducted yen-buying, dollar-selling intervention in New York on Thursday, a market source said, its first such foray in three months, as the currency's slump to four-decade lows threatened to worsen living costs hit by the Iran war-driven energy shock.

Markets

Wall St ends sharply higher as Microsoft soars

Wall Street ended sharply higher on Thursday, with chip stocks jumping and Microsoft logging its biggest daily percentage gain in 18 years after the technology giant gave a stellar forecast that eased fears about massive spending on AI infrastructure.

Commodities

Oil slips on Saudi-led defence coalition plan

Oil prices settled lower on Thursday after a volatile session, as traders digested proposed plans for a Saudi Arabia-led maritime coalition to boost defence cooperation around the Red Sea.

Markets

Bursa posts robust 1H showing

Bursa Malaysia Bhd's total market capitalisation rose 11.2% year-on-year to RM2.12 trillion as at end-June, despite heightened global market volatility, driven largely by an increase in the Main Market's market capitalisation to RM2.04 trillion from RM1.84 trillion a year earlier.

Property

Ministry flags players to solve LRT City projects

The Public Housing and Settlements Ministry is reaching out to multiple stakeholders, including state asset fund Danantara and the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP), to help resolve issues that have stalled the LRT City development project as public complaints mount.

Auto

Industry seeks clarity ahead of EV bike launch

Indonesia's plan to launch a national electric motorcycle brand within weeks is prompting industry players to seek clarity over the programme, as the government moves to redirect long-delayed purchase incentives for electric vehicles (EV) to the new initiative.

Corporate News

Goldman weighs hefty US$5.4bil debt for DC

Goldman Sachs Group Inc is gauging investor appetite for a potential US$5.4bil debt offering to help fund a Blackstone-backed QTS data centre (DC) tied to Microsoft Corp, as bubble concerns push up costs for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure financings.

Markets

ETF reversal tests S. Korea’s regulatory credibility

South Korea's abrupt reversal over single-stock leveraged funds has revived a broader question for global investors: whether unpredictable policymaking itself contributes to the country's long-standing equity market discount.

Corporate News

Microsoft sees strong cash flow, lower capex

Microsoft said it expects to keep generating cash through its fiscal 2027 and gave a capital expenditure (capex) forecast below Wall Street estimates after changing how it accounts for long-term data centre leases.

Corporate News

Meta’s weak forecast fuels AI spending concerns

Meta Platforms Inc gave a disappointing revenue forecast for the current quarter, intensifying investor concerns about the social media giant's unprecedented spending on artificial intelligence (AI).

Corporate News

Value in Axiata despite monetisation uncertainty

Axiata Group Bhd's recent share price weakness may have created a buying opportunity, with CGS International (CGSI) Research saying the market has largely priced in the risk that the telecommunications group's infrastructure asset-monetisation programme could face further delays.

Corporate News

AME-REIT maintains positive outlook after strong 1Q27

Industrial-focused AME real estate investment trust (REIT), which released first quarter ended June 30, 2026 (1Q27) results on Wednesday, will continue to leverage off demand for industrial space in Johor.

Corporate News

Intel providing chip technology to startup in rare deal

Intel is providing access to some of its processor technology to a new startup, according to a source and documents reviewed by Reuters, in a rare move for the US chipmaker.

Corporate News

Arm forecasts 2Q revenue above estimates

Arm Holdings forecast second-quarter (2Q) revenue above Wall Street estimates, signalling strong demand for its energy-efficient chip designs for artificial intelligence (AI) data centres (DCs).

Corporate News

Ellisons may lose US$9bil if Warner Bros deal collapses

Larry Ellison and his family would be on the hook for US$9.8bil if Paramount Skydance Corp's deal to buy Warner Bros Discovery Inc falls apart.

Corporate News

Chinese firms overseas keen on curbing risks

Chinese companies are shifting from reactive crisis response to proactive risk management, as their global expansion brings increasingly complex challenges to test their ability to protect employees and maintain business continuity, according to International SOS.

Aviation

Trump unveils US$22bil plan for Dulles airport

President Donald Trump has unveiled a US$22bil plan on Wednesday to rebuild Washington Dulles airport by replacing concourses and adding a large parking garage while preserving the landmark main terminal.

Technology

Scaling up the artificial intelligence value chain

Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to become the next major driver of Malaysia's digital economy as the country shifts its focus from building infrastructure to creating higher-value technology ecosystems.

Plantations

Improving sustainability score seen for ESG sector

RHB Research's annual environment, social and governance (ESG) framework review revealed an improving sustainability profile.

Insight

The real harvest from the IPC

There is a familiar ritual at every International Planters Conference (IPC).