Economy

Core inflation in Japan's capital accelerates, stays above BOJ target

TOKYO: Core consumer inflation in Japan's capital stayed above the central bank's target and accelerated in March on steady gains in food costs, data showed on Friday, keeping alive market expectations of a near-term interest rate hike.

Markets

HI Mobility debuts on Main Market at 4.1% premium of RM1.27/share

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor-based bus operator HI Mobility Bhd commenced trading on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia at a premium of 4.1%, after raising proceeds of RM115.9mil from an initial public offering (IPO).

Forex

Ringgit rises on US policy weighs on US$

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit continued to strengthen against the US dollar at the opening, as rapid shifts in US economic policies under President Donald Trump's administration created uncertainty within the business community, potentially dampening demand.

Markets

Profit-taking expected ahead of Hari Raya weekend

KUALA LUMPUR: Stock market investors on Bursa Malaysia are expected to take profit ahead of the extended Hari Raya weekend, especially after the surge in the previous session returned blue-chip prices to a two-week high.

Corporate News

Trading ideas: RHB, KPJ, Malakoff, Bursa, Jati, Keyfield, Muhibbah, NexG, Steel Hawk, Flexidynamics, K-One, Beshom, Sapura Energy, Cypark, Crescendo

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

Markets

S&P 500 ends lower as investors digest Trump's auto tariffs

The S&P 500 ended lower on Thursday, as investors grappled with US President Donald Trump's latest trade tariff announcement that hit shares of General Motors and Ford.

Commodities

Oil edges up as traders assess supply, trade war risks

Oil prices edged higher on Thursday as traders assessed a tightening of crude supplies along with new US tariffs and their expected effect on the world's economy.

Insight

Sterling may be vulnerable to foreigners’ gilt trip

The overriding message from British finance minister Rachel Reeves on Wednesday was simple: the challenges facing UK policymakers are mushrooming, and their margin for error is rapidly shrinking.

Corporate News

Tesla poised to launch in Saudi

Tesla will start sales in Saudi Arabia next month, the electric carmaker says on its website, signalling chief executive officer Elon Musk and the kingdom have healed a rift that dates back to the billionaire's short-lived bid in 2018 to take the company private.

Corporate News

GameStop on buying spree

GameStop Corp is seeking to sell US$1.3bil of convertible bonds with no coupon payment to fund bitcoin purchases as it embraces a strategy that was developed by the cryptocurrency advocate Michael Saylor.

Economy

Trump presses ahead with auto tariffs

US President Donald Trump has unveiled a 25% tariff on imported cars and light trucks starting next week, widening the global trade war he kicked off upon regaining the White House this year in a move auto industry experts expect will drive up prices and stymie production.

Commodities

Copper’s hottest trade risks painful end if US tariffs arrive early

Traders who have been paying dearly to ship copper to America before US President Donald Trump imposes import tariffs on the metal now face a high-stakes race to get shipments there in time.

Corporate News

Nissan needs partners and is open to Honda

Nissan Motor Co's incoming chief executive officer (CEO) is open to pursuing a partnership with Honda Motor Co, the Japanese peer his carmaker tried to combine with before talks broke down last month.

Economy

Bold policies set new Vietnam direction

Vietnam is aggressively promoting growth, enhancing competitiveness and fostering innovation, with major current and upcoming breakthrough policies poised to redefine the nation's approach to economic development, experts say.

Economy

February’s producer price index up 0.3% in February

Malaysia's producer price index (PPI) for local production increased by 0.3% year-on-year (y-o-y) in February 2025, easing from the 0.8% rise recorded in January, according to the Statistics Department (DoSM).

Economy

Output dips despite high growth expectations

Factory production in Singapore fell in February, breaking a seven-month rising streak, after the biomedical and electronics clusters contracted year-on-year (y-o-y).

Economy

Timber hub in Shandong bolsters safety

In East China's Shandong province, Yanshi town is a renowned wood-processing hub whose products are being sold to more than 20 provincial-level regions in the country, creating over 10,000 jobs to local residents.

Retail

Watsons to expand amid consumption uptrend

Hong Kong-based health and beauty retailer Watsons plans to open 500 stores in the Chinese mainland this year and explore community store models, as the company has firm confidence in its growth potential in the country and will continue to make investments by leveraging the consumption upgrade trend.

Corporate News

Glomac gears up for expansion despite shortfall

TA Research believes Glomac Bhd is unlikely to meet its full-year sales target of RM420mil to RM450mil, or 15% to 20% growth, despite encouraging take-up from its property projects.

Corporate News

Solarvest order book hits record RM1.4bil

Renewable energy (RE) specialist Solarvest Holdings Bhd's latest large-scale solar 5 (LSS5) contract win of RM103mil from the Penang Development Corp (PDC) announced on March 26 ensures the company continues to be a firm bet to clinch more projects.