StarBiz
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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...
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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...
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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...
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[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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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COVER FEATURE
Huge new foreign direct investments (FDIS) in the semiconductor space are underway, with a visible surge in activity. Lam Research Corp’s expansion in Kulim Hi-tech Park, together with significant investments and expansions by other global players such...
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Steady 1Q26 results for Public Bank
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian banking sector will remain resilient, underpinned by ample liquidity and healthy capital buffers, despite ongoing uncertainties brought about especially by geopolitical tensions, says Public Bank Bhd. The lender, the...
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Innovative measures needed
PETALING JAYA: Economists are concerned with the immediate impact of another cut in the Budi95 fuel quota, with most stressing that the measure will further squeeze household incomes and chip away discretionary spending. Earlier this week, it was...
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Malaysia’s edge in a shifting world
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is considered a heavyweight within the region at the moment, supported by the richness of its resources and strong governance, which has helped cushion the country from global headwinds. Venture capital firm Openspace Capital’s...
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Foreign funds rotate back in
PETALING JAYA: Foreign funds are continuing to return to Bursa Malaysia, as investors look beyond broad market caution and begin picking up thematic opportunities in sectors like technology and financial services. After a massive Rm22bil net selloff...
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Mah Sing rides record sales
PETALING JAYA: Riding on its strongest property sales performance in a decade at Rm2.51bil in 2025, Mah Sing Group Bhd is confident of surpassing expectations this year despite persistent global uncertainties. In an environment of heightened...
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CAPITAL MARKETS
Global investors and executives are broadly leaning into a cautiously upbeat outlook for markets, even as they flag geopolitical flareups, sticky inflation risks and a fastshifting capital landscape. Investors are broadly still backing growth, private...
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Call for prudence as interest rates stay pat
PETALING JAYA: Economists are advocating a cautious outlook on the country’s growth and inflation scene, as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has decided to keep the overnight policy rate (OPR) at 2.75% after the latest Monetary Policy Committee meeting...
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Moderate growth likely for 1Q earnings
PETALING JAYA: Long bets appear to be visible on sectors that are exposed to the data centre infrastructure and commodity sectors ahead of the upcoming first-quarter (1Q26) results reporting season. A deluge of financial reporting is expected from...
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‘No waiting on semicon wafer fabs’
KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya is prepared to court foreign players to build semiconductor wafer fabrication facilities in Malaysia if local companies are not yet ready to make the leap. Calling for more foreign investments into the space, Investment, Trade...
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Ai-driven upcycle lifts tech earnings
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s semiconductor-related stocks continue to shine, with automated test equipment (ATE) players leading the way as some investors see them as beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. “When AI demand surges, it...
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Prudent fund managers
PETALING JAYA: Fund managers in Malaysia are keeping their powder dry, sitting on sizeable cash piles as the Middle East tensions cloud the market outlook and push investors into wait-and-see mode. In an interview with Starbiz, JP Morgan said many...
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COVER FEATURE
When a top banking official recently suggested that the central bank expand single customer limits of banks’ financing of the country’s energy transition, it highlighted a growing funding gap. As Malaysia’s solar projects increase in scale, those who...
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Balancing spending cuts and growth
PETALING JAYA: Balancing reduced government spending, sustaining economic growth and ensuring citizens’ wellbeing will be the main priority amid surging energy costs and an increasingly unsustainable fuel subsidy bill based on an average Brent crude...
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Skyechip listing set to spur industry
KUALA LUMPUR: Chip design firm Skyechip Bhd’s prospectus launch yesterday marks a significant milestone in Malaysia’s efforts to elevate the country’s semiconductor industry and move it up the value chain. Michael Oh-lau, chief executive officer of...
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Malaysia remains DC hotspot
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has become a more attractive destination for data centre (DC) investments following the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East. This is because the conflict has shifted the DC narrative from a race for graphic processing...
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Selective deal activity likely
PETALING JAYA: Deal-making activities, including fund raising and mergers and acquisitions (M&AS), have seen a slight slowdown in activity this year, largely due to companies taking a wait-and-see approach amid ongoing uncertainties. This is according...
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Retail outlook turns cautious
PETALING JAYA: The retail sector is set to continue expanding in the second quarter of this year (2Q26), albeit more moderately, with consumer spending providing support while higher costs and cautious sentiment weigh on momentum. Malaysia Shopping...
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CAPITAL MARKETS
John Arnold, the billionaire energy trader-turned-philanthropist, made his fortune by predicting the direction of markets. Now, he’s sounding the alarm on fast-growing prediction markets, saying they’re harmful to young men and boys.
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Freight outlook bright, but risks linger
PETALING JAYA: The outlook for the domestic freight and logistics sector has turned more constructive, supported by easing geopolitical tensions following the extension of the Us-iran ceasefire and resilient intra-asia trade flows. Analysts and...
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Capital market remains robust
KUALA LUMPUR: The Securities Commission (SC) is confident that the Malaysian capital market will stay on track in delivering reforms, enhancing market competitiveness and strengthening governance frameworks and investor protection. Chairman Datuk...
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Regional investment key to Asean growth
KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic companies need to look beyond investing solely in one another and take a more deliberate, strategic approach to investing across the region. Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office’s (AMRO) group head for regional surveillance and...
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Trade growth moderates
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s March trade numbers held firm, but economists caution that the full fallout from the Us-iran war has yet to surface in the data. Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, chief economist at Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, said the March...
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Tech sector faces reality check
PETALING JAYA: While the world continues to bask in an ever-evolving technology environment, buoyed by artificial intelligence (AI), which is becoming increasingly indispensable, analysts have their doubts about the prospects of tech counters on Bursa...
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CAPITAL MARKETS
Malaysia’s ringgit is set to edge gradually firmer over the medium term. For now, investors are likely to see a choppy but ultimately directionally supportive path for the currency as global risk sentiment stabilises and rate expectations adjust.
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Cautious optimism on growth prospects
PETALING JAYA: Local economists are keeping a cautious outlook on Malaysia’s growth prospects for this year and 2027, despite the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) generous upgrade of the country’s 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) projection to...
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