StarBiz
LIFESTYLE
The tiny Italian Mediterranean island of Favignana hopes that Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster “The Odyssey” will help it attract more visitors, while avoiding the pitfalls of overtourism.
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Robust e&e demand to support growth momentum
PETALING JAYA: The second quarter of financial year 2026 (2Q26) economic growth is likely to come in close to the Statistics Department’s advance estimate of 5.8%, although stronger-than-expected economic indicators have raised the possibility of an...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Property
PETALING JAYA: Sunway real estate investment trust (Sunway-reit) expects its performance to remain resilient in the second half of financial year 2026 (2H26), underpinned by continued strength in its retail portfolio, improving hotel demand and better...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
First-half cheer for SD Guthrie
PETALING JAYA: SD Guthrie Bhd remains positive on its outlook for 2026 after posting a net profit of Rm1.55bil in the first half of the year ended June 30, 2026. The jump in profitability, up 44% from the same period in 2025, was owing to higher...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Economy
[email protected] PETALING JAYA: Budget 2027 may be the toughest yet for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as he confronts a difficult trade-off between critical fiscal reforms and election goodies to prop up his popularity, ahead...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
“For us, it is not just about financing a single project but demonstrating how to fund nextgeneration infrastructure in an innovative and scalable way.”
PETALING JAYA: The world’s first green sukuk developed for data centre (DC) infrastructure could pave the way for more sustainable financing of digital infrastructure projects, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which says the deal...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COVER FEATURE
Medical technology has quietly grown into a global strength for Malaysia. From a modest base, the sector has expanded rapidly, with the country now home to about a third of global medical device multinationals. The industry’s growth was helped by...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Exports to remain resilient
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s export outlook appears set to remain resilient despite the United States’ latest tariff measures, with economists expecting the country’s semiconductor-led trade to weather the impact better than many of its regional...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Shifting sands in consumer stocks
PETALING JAYA: The consumer sector appears to be going through a prolonged period of rather compressed valuations compared with its historical means. Various factors have been cited for the cause of this situation and how it could play out in the near...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
K-shaped economic growth expected to persist
KUALA LUMPUR: The government must restructure personal tax brackets and raise individual reliefs in Budget 2027 to address a widening middle-income squeeze and preserve consumer resilience, says the Socio-economic Research Centre (SERC). Highlighting...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Bond fundraising likely to gain traction
PETALING JAYA: Growing global appetite for Malaysian credit is expected to pave the way for more fundraising by the government and large corporates, as international investors seek relatively stable assets amid heightened global economic...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
“The conversation should move beyond the question of whether financing is available, to whether it is reaching the businesses that need it most, and in a form that suits their circumstances.”
PETALING JAYA: Close to four out of every five financing applications by small and medium enterprises (SMES) were approved between January and May 2026, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). In an interview with Starbiz, the central bank’s...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CAPITAL MARKETS
The US technology sector is entering a new phase of the artificial intelligence investment cycle, one where investors are no longer willing to give Big Tech a free pass on soaring capital expenditure.
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Bursa posts robust 1H showing
PETALING JAYA: Bursa Malaysia Bhd’s total market capitalisation rose 11.2% yearon-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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Alliance Bank upbeat on Fy27 showing
KUALA LUMPUR: Pre-emptive measures by both Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd and the government have helped mitigate the external uncertainties stemming from geopolitical and trade tensions. Alliance Bank group chief executive officer Kellee Kam said as a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Transformation gains ground
KUALA LUMPUR: The economy remains on track to expand by 4% to 5% in 2026, with growth likely to come in towards the upper end of the forecast range, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour. He said the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Limited impact from latest US tariffs
PETALING JAYA: The latest round of tariffs imposed by the United States is seen to be less disruptive to Malaysia’s economy than initially feared, with economists saying the new 10% Section 301 forced labour tariff will likely have only a manageable...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DC boom reshapes property market
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s rapid rise as a regional data centre (DC) hub is transforming the country’s property market, fueling demand for industrial land, accelerating infrastructure development and driving greater investment in logistics, utilities...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COVER FEATURE
Malaysian corporates are reviving capital expenditure (capex) plans across key sectors as earnings visibility improves and economic conditions stabilise. While the investment recovery remains uneven, the capex revival could signal a new phase of...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Capital market push
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s drive to attract higher-quality investments will be bolstered by deeper access to international capital, with the country looking to leverage on Hong Kong’s financial markets to help fund high-value industries and major...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Sara increase a boon for consumer companies
PETALING JAYA: A potential increase in targeted cash assistance is expected to provide a further boost to domestic consumption, particularly for spending on essential goods, if additional allocations are approved. While the direct earnings impact on...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Fewer tourists likely in 2H
PETALING JAYA: The tourism sector is expected to see slower visitor growth in the second half of 2026 (2H26), but stronger spending by higher-value tourists from key markets such as China, Indonesia and India is expected to help support tourism...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Sunway wins Rm7bil S’pore development site
JAYA: Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority has awarded a consortium, in which Sunway Bhd holds a 30% stake, a 99-year lease-term site at Bayshore Drive in Singapore for S$2.13bil (Rm6.74bil). In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Sunway said the land...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
SEBZ can unlock growth
PETALING JAYA: The proposed Malaysiathailand Special Economic Border Zone (SEBZ) may achieve its goal of becoming a new cross-border growth engine. However, economists say its success will ultimately depend on whether both countries can move beyond...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CAPITAL MARKETS
China’s markets are increasingly being viewed as a source of diversification rather than simply a high-growth emerging market bet. This comes as investors reassess portfolio strategies amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty, volatile global markets...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Core inflation, oil price trends are key
PETALING JAYA: With the Statistics Department set to release the consumer price index (CPI) data for June today, economists are voicing concerns that prices could face upside risks, as focus falls on core inflation rather than headline...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Growth target within reach
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia remains on track to achieve its official economic growth target of 4% to 5% this year, although economists expect growth to moderate in the second half of this financial year (2H26) as repercussions from the Middle East conflict...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Defensive bets favoured
PETALING JAYA: Selective opportunities are still available on Bursa Malaysia despite lingering geopolitical uncertainties stemming from any escalating Us-iran standoff. There are expectations that the commodity-linked and defensive sectors can...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Clearer skies expected for telcos
PETALING JAYA: The telecommunications sector is expected to see marginally improved mobile revenue growth in 2026, following a “market repair” in the first half of the year (1H26), according to CIMB Research. The research house estimated industry...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Factory output growth sustainable
IPPFA Sdn Bhd investment strategy director and country economist, Mohd Sedek Jantan, told Starbiz manufacturing stood as a sustainable growth engine underpinned by investment, exports and domestic industrial activity. “Manufacturing remained the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COVER FEATURE
Malaysia’s e-hailing industry is facing a familiar problem with no easy answer. Drivers want better income, passengers want cheaper rides, platform operators need sustainable business models, and the government is under pressure to support them all....
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Inflation in check
PETALING JAYA: The latest episode of the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran will likely have a limited impact on Malaysia’s inflation and the FBM KLCI for now, the pivotal point being for how long elevated oil prices will...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
AI adoption needs stronger guardrails
KUALA LUMPUR: More than half of the banking and financial institutions in Malaysia engage with regulators reactively, or not at all, when it comes to all things artificial intelligence (AI). A report jointly conducted by the Asian Institute of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Inflation unlikely to rise in 2H
PETALING JAYA: Inflation is expected to remain under control for the rest of 2026 and stay within Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) projected range. However, there are a number of factors that could put some upward pressure on this key economic metric....
Read Full Story (Page 1)
OPR likely to hold
PETALING JAYA: All eyes are on Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) interest rate meeting this week, as its policy signal could ripple through Malaysia’s bond market and influence yield spreads, says Ambank Research. If the central bank stays the course with...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Insurance sector to hold firm in 2H
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s insurance and takaful sector is expected to remain resilient in the second half of 2026 (2H26) despite continued pressure from medical inflation, weaker investment returns and softer consumer spending, with industry reforms...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COVER FEATURE
Malaysia is pushing into advanced semiconductor packaging to move up the value chain, with initiatives like the Malaysia Advanced Packaging Consortium aiming to build local capabilities in one of the industry’s fastest-growing segments. However,...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Healthy and wealthy
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s healthcare sector is entering a pivotal phase of transformation as rising demand, an ageing population, and evolving patient needs continue to put pressure on the healthcare system. Amid these challenges, however, new...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Going beyond the tech rally
PETALING JAYA: As the market steps into the second half of financial year 2026 (2H26), investors are urged to look beyond Malaysia’s technology-led rally. Analysts are increasingly favouring banks, utilities and infrastructure-linked sectors amid the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Improved sentiment likely in 2H
PETALING JAYA: After a volatile first half of financial year 2026 (1H26) marked by geopolitical tensions, shifting expectations over US interest rates and foreign fund outflows, analysts expect Malaysian equities to remain choppy in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FBM KLCI in consolidation
PETALING JAYA: Analysts believe the FBM KLCI has entered a period of nearterm consolidation with a slight downside bias, although they acknowledge that the bourse’s medium-term outlook remains constructive. Market researchers hold the view that, in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
M’sia in good position to adopt
PETALING JAYA: With its own recent ambitious foray into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, Zetrix AI Bhd believes Malaysia is well positioned to adopt and adapt to the fast-moving world of AI technology, and potentially reap...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COVER FEATURE
Albern Murty sits with Starbiz 7 for his first exclusive media interview as Celcomdigi’s CEO. Focused on his vision for the company, Murty reflects on how the telecommunications industry in Malaysia has evolved over the past decade, with his very...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Crucial to continue rationalisation
PETALING JAYA: Economists are concerned that Malaysia’s fiscal policy could become more constrained should further subsidy rationalisation of RON95 fuel be delayed, derailing the government’s goal of reducing fiscal deficit to 3.5% of gross domestic...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Net FDI jumps 41% in 2025
PETALING JAYA: The share divergence in Malaysia’s net foreign direct investment (FDI) for 2025 between the manufacturing and services sectors warrants closer scrutiny, as prolonged weakness in industrial investments may lead to premature...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Fiscal deficit under pressure
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia may miss its fiscal deficit target of 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, as elevated fuel subsidy spending and geopolitical uncertainties continue to pressure government finances. While targeted subsidy measures...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Airasia X reviewing fares
KUALA LUMPUR: Airasia X Bhd expects to gradually lower airfares following the recent decline in jet fuel prices, while restoring capacity that had been reduced during the surge in fuel prices caused by the conflict in West Asia. Group chief executive...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Johor offices tune out election noise
PETALING JAYA: The Johor office market is on track to enter a phase of gradual recovery, supported by strengthening economic ties with Singapore, ongoing infrastructure improvements and rising investment activity. While political developments,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COVER FEATURE
Bursa Malaysia and the Securities Commission launched the MY Value Up Programme in April as a voluntary initiative aimed at shifting corporate culture towards active shareholder value creation. However, it is not a quick fix for the local equity...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Crude oil to find its level
PETALING JAYA: Oil prices have tumbled drastically to dip below US$80 per barrel following the United States-iran peace deal, but industry experts do not expect the global benchmark Brent crude to return to pre-conflict levels anytime soon. They said...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Banks poised to regain momentum in 2Q26
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s banking sector is expected to regain momentum in the second quarter of financial year 2026 (2Q26), as stabilising market conditions, easing funding costs and resilient credit demand support earnings, despite a subdued 1Q26...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
El Nino risk for planters
PETALING JAYA: The plantation sector could face renewed weather-related risks over the next year as the return of El Nino threatens agricultural production across South-east Asia, even as concerns over fertiliser supply disruptions linked to the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Astro quarterly performance declines
Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd has posted a softer first quarter of financial year 2027 (1Q27) as revenue and profit came under pressure, even as disciplined cost control and resilient cash generation helped the group maintain stability amid selective...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
AI rally still has legs
PETALING JAYA: The artificial intelligence (Ai)-led technology stock rally may have suffered a recent bout of profit-taking, but the broader uptrend appears to remain intact as investors become more selective and focus increasingly on earnings delivery...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CAPITAL MARKETS
Shanghai has unveiled an ambitious plan to cement its status as a leading global asset management centre, targeting 55 trillion yuan (US$8.1 trillion) in assets under management by 2030. The plan also seeks to position the city at the centre of the...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Supply chains in check
PETALING JAYA: While Malaysia’s short term supply chain resilience should remain intact over the immediate future, economists are nevertheless more concerned about the erosion of business efficiency and profitability should the Middle East conflict be...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Limited impact from tech sell-off
PETALING JAYA: Bursa Malaysia’s FBM KLCI was one of many regional indices swamped by a tidal red wave yesterday, as South Korea’s Kospi led a purge that saw it dive almost 9% in early morning trade, before recovering fractionally to close 8.3% lower...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Global IPOS unlikely to trigger outflows
PETALING JAYA: Mega initial public offerings (IPOS) by companies such as Spacex, Openai and Anthropic are unlikely to spark an exodus of fund flows from Malaysia as foreign ownership of local equities is already near historic lows and domestic...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COMPANIES & STRATEGIES
After being focused on delivering solutions for e-invoicing in the last two years here in Malaysia, Autocount Dotcom Bhd is going back to the drawing board to leverage on artificial intelligence, automation and regional expansion as its next phase of...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Malaysia-us trade ties stay strong
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the United States trade relations are expected to remain strong, despite global headwinds such as tariffs, geopolitical conflicts and economic uncertainties, says American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) chief...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Future path of monetary policy to set the tone for global fund flows
PETALING JAYA: The FBM KLCI’S nearterm direction hinges on signals from the Federal Reserve (Fed) this month, with market watchers saying the US central bank’s guidance on interest rates will set the tone for global fund flows. While markets largely...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Earnings season turns softer
PETALING JAYA: Corporate Malaysia delivered a mixed first-quarter results season as companies grappled with the Middle East war-driven cost pressures, margin compression and foreign exchange headwinds. Tradeview Capital Sdn Bhd portfolio manager Ng...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Stable jobs, interest rates fuel auto demand
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s automotive sector is likely headed for another strong year, with robust vehicle sales in the first four months of financial year 2026 (4M26) raising hopes that full-year sales will again defy expectations of a decline amid...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Property developers off to promising start
PETALING JAYA: The recently concluded corporate results season saw local property developers reporting mixed but generally stable earnings, reflecting varied operational performances across the sector. Nevertheless, industry experts and observers...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
LIFESTYLE
Baixiang village in China boasts contiguous tea gardens, cascading down from 1,100m to 1,400m. They are the calling card for the tea industry in the Mabian Yi autonomous county, and a lifeline for the people who live there.
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Maybank stays on steady footing
PETALING JAYA: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has kicked off its financial year ending Dec 31, 2026 (FY26) on a softer note, with net profit declining 4.2% year-on-year (y-o-y) to Rm2.48bil in its first quarter ended March 31, weighed by weaker...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Selective buying prospects
PETALING JAYA: Opportunities for bargain hunting are beginning to emerge on Bursa Malaysia following the latest bout of profit-taking on the benchmark FBM KLCI. But analysts cautioned that buying opportunities remain selective amid persistent foreign...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Simeprop quarterly earnings rise
PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Property Bhd (Simeprop) is maintaining its Rm4bil sales target for 2026 despite mounting construction cost pressures and cautious homebuyer sentiment, while remaining open to a possible review after its mid-year...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
[email protected] Darby shows resilience
PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Bhd believes the global economic outlook remains challenging, hampered by ongoing geopolitical tensions that are impacting supply chains and rising inflation risks. Amid this uncertainty, the conglomerate anticipates business...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Cost pressures cool property demand
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s property purchasing sentiment is showing signs of moderation as persistent inflationary pressures, rising living costs and affordability concerns lead buyers to adopt a more cautious approach. Olive Tree Property Consultants...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COVER FEATURE
Close to two million Malaysians are underemployed, meaning more than one in three tertiary-educated workers are in low- or semi-skilled jobs. The official data is understood to include both voluntary and involuntary overqualification. Amid persistently...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Petchem returns to the black in 1Q
PETALING JAYA: PETRONAS Chemicals Group Bhd (Petchem) has staged an encouraging bounce back to the black in the first quarter ended March (1Q26) after a tumultuous 2025, even as the company continues to foresee a volatile operating environment for the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Gamuda wins Rm3bil solar jobs Down Under
PETALING JAYA: Gamuda Bhd has secured two major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts in Australia worth a combined A$1.1bil (Rm3.12bil) for the development of the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations, marking another...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Strong 1Q for EPF
PETALING JAYA: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has cautioned that its strong first-quarter financial year 2026 (1Q26) performance is unlikely to be sustained through the rest of the year, as the investment income was boosted by portfolio timing...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Affin Bank quarterly bottom line increases
PETALING JAYA: Despite being supported by enough capital and liquidity buffers, Affin Bank Bhd will need to remain cautious while focusing on a disciplined approach this year. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the banking group said this approach will...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Pricing power holds the edge
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian companies have not been spared from rising energy and transport prices stemming from hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz, as businesses plan for how to pass on higher costs to consumers while managing their own capital and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)