Business

TNG eWallet supports JPA initiative to provide alternative pension payment channel

KUALA LUMPUR: TNG Digital Sdn Bhd is supporting the Public Service Department's (JPA) financial inclusion initiative by providing eligible pensioners with an alternative channel to receive their monthly pension payments through TNG eWallet.

Commodities

Gold slips as higher Treasury yields offset focus on Warsh's inflation message

GOLD prices slipped on Thursday, pressured by higher U.S. Treasury yields, while markets assessed comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh on tackling inflation after the central bank left its interest rates unchanged this week.

Energy

Oil rises in volatile trade as US resumes attacks on Iran

NEW DELHI: Brent crude prices climbed more than $1 a barrel on Thursday in a volatile session as investors swing between focusing on escalating U.S. attacks on Iran and hopes for a resolution that may resume shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

SME

Malaysian MSMEs ready to tap Asean's 680-mln-consumer market under DEFA: SIM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are well positioned to tap ASEAN's 680-million-consumer market under the proposed Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), supported by their high level of digital adoption, Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin said.

Banking

CIMB Islamic named World's Best Islamic Bank at Euromoney Awards 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd has been named the World's Best Islamic Bank at the Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards 2026, becoming the first Malaysian bank to receive the global accolade since the award was introduced.

Aviation

Comac has high hopes for C919 jet

THE high-altitude variant of China's C919 completed its maiden test flight on Wednesday, advancing the homegrown narrowbody program from a single standard aircraft toward a broader product family and positioning it to fill an emerging supply gap on the country's plateau routes, industry experts said.

Economy

MSMEs' GDP grew 5.7% in 2025, outpaced overall economy- DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.7 per cent in 2025, outpacing the country's overall GDP growth of 5.2 per cent, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Corporate News

Bursa registers strong 1H results, raises IPO market cap target

PETALING JAYA: Bursa Malaysia Bhd has raised its 2026 headline key performance indicator (KPI) for initial public offering (IPO) market capitalisation to RM34bil from RM28bil, after delivering a strong first-half financial performance underpinned by robust market activity and fundraising momentum.

SME

Facilitating access to SME financing

Bank Negara Assistant Governor Suhaimi Ali talks to StarBiz about initiatives to bolster financing access and support for SMEs

Markets

FBM KLCI dips as traders keep to sidelines

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's key stock index entered midday slightly lower as investors searched for direction amid ongoing uncertainty in the AI space, confusion over the Federal Reserve's recent rate decision and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Economy

Malaysia's trade exceeded RM3 trillion in 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded strong trade performance in 2025, with total trade up by 6.3 per cent, or RM182.4 billion, to RM3.1 trillion year-on-year (y-o-y) in line with the rise in both exports (6.6 per cent) and imports (6 per cent).

Aviation

KLIA poised to support F1's return to Malaysia - MAHB

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is well-positioned to accommodate the expected influx of Formula 1 (F1) teams, officials and spectators with the return of the championship to Malaysia in October, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

Markets

Asian stocks choppy after rout, Fed leaves markets uncertain on rates

SINGAPORE: Asian stocks struggled for direction on Thursday, nursing steep losses for the week on mounting investor jitters around the AI trade, while a divided Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady, leaving bond markets questioning where rates are headed.

Economy

Samsung sees chip supply shortages worsening due to AI boom; shares surge 8%

SEOUL: Samsung Electronics said on Thursday AI chip demand remained strong and could exacerbate supply shortages next year, countering investor concerns that feverish AI spending by major technology firms may slow and curb growth.

Telcos

Singtel confirms Optus stake-sale talks as regulatory pressure mounts

SINGAPORE Telecommunications on Thursday confirmed that it was in discussions with multiple parties over a potential stake sale in its Australian telecoms unit Optus, but said there was no certainty the talks would result in a deal.

Forex

Ringgit opens higher as US Fed hold rate steady

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar, supported by the weaker greenback after the US Federal Reserve (Fed) kept interest rates steady at its latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.

Markets

FBM KLCI remains resilient despite US stock plunge

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia made a cautious start, but proved resilient, despite a sharp plunge in US markets after the latest Federal Reserve rate decision coupled with fresh US strikes on Iran.

Markets

30-year yields hit 19-year highs amid Fed doubts

SYDNEY: Yields on the U.S. long bond hovered near 19-year highs in Asia on Thursday as markets questioned the Federal Reserve's resolve towards controlling inflation, leaving investors seeking more insurance against inflation risks.

Corporate News

Trading ideas, Econpile, Petra, Sunway Healthcare, Semico, JcbNext, Bina Puri, Land & General, Midea, Keyfield, HeiTech Padu, Taso, Atrium REIT, Chin Teck, AME REIT, Harn Len

KUALA LUMPUR: Here is a recap of the announcements that made headlines in Corporate Malaysia.

Aviation

Global air cargo demand up 8.5% in June

KUALA LUMPUR: Total demand of global air cargo, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, increased by 8.5 per cent in June 2026, compared to June 2025 levels, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). International operations saw a 9.6 per cent increase.