ACE Market-bound QES Group Bhd says it is in a sweet spot in the semicon chain, but how will this change post listing?</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage>

TALKING EDGE:  QES in a sweet spot

Top cocoa grower Ivory Coast’s upcoming mid-crop is expected to be smaller this year following unfavourable weather, threatening to limit a recovery from a huge global shortage.

Ivory Coast’s smaller cocoa crop risks keeping supply strained

The European Central Bank has given UniCredit approval to buy up to 29.9% of Commerzbank, the Italian bank said on Friday, adding it would likely wait until next year before deciding whether to pursue an acquisition.

UniCredit secures ECB's approval for Commerzbank stake

Oil prices rebounded on Friday to recover some of their losses of more than 1% in the previous session, partly due to the diminishing prospects of a quick end to the Ukraine war that could bring back more Russian energy supplies.

Oil rebounds as Ukraine ceasefire deal remains elusive 

BENGALURU (March 14): The US and Israel have contacted officials of three East African countries to discuss using their territories for resettling Palestinians from Gaza, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Friday, citing US and Israeli officials.

US and Israel look to Africa for resettling Palestinians uprooted from Gaza, AP reports

Japan’s largest labour union group said its workers secured the highest pay deal in more than three decades, supporting the case for further gradual interest rate hikes from the Bank of Japan (BOJ).

Japan’s unions win largest pay hike in more than three decades

TAIPEI (March 14): Taiwan's Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker, forecast strong revenue growth in the first quarter after reporting a surprise 13% drop in fourth-quarter profit.

Foxconn forecasts strong 1Q revenue after 4Q profit miss

Most Asian stock markets rebounded on Friday but were still set for steep weekly declines, as persistent tariff threats from US President Donald Trump intensified global trade tensions and led cautious investors to turn to safe haven assets.

Asian stocks eye weekly losses on trade war jitters

BMW forecast on Friday profit margins for its automotive business this year below analysts' expectations, factoring in the impact of US tariffs imposed in recent weeks and anticipating an even more intense trade war.

BMW warns of lower-than-expected autos margin as tariffs hit earnings

KUALA LUMPUR (March): Bursa Malaysia Bhd (KL:BURSA) and its subsidiaries will be closed next Tuesday, March 18, for the Nuzul Al-Quran public holiday, which is observed in several Malaysian states and federal territories.

Bursa Malaysia to close on March 18 for Nuzul Al-Quran public holiday

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): GXBank Bhd and Grab Malaysia have shortlisted eight startup companies to participate in a six-month-long TeXnovasi Accelerator Programme, aimed at driving innovation within Malaysia’s fintech ecosystem.

GXBank, Grab Malaysia shortlist eight startups to drive fintech innovation

China’s top office on Hong Kong issues reposted a sharp attack on CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd for agreeing to sell a controlling stake in Panama ports, warning companies to be very careful about which “side they should stand on.”

China amplifies rebuke of Li Ka-shing’s Panama Port deal with BlackRock

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Batik Air has thrown support behind the Subang Airport Regeneration Plan (SARP), urging airline regulators to expedite the allocation for additional slots at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, following AirAsia’s plans to relocate its jet operations to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (klia2).

Batik Air throws support behind Subang Airport's expansion, urges faster slot allocation following AirAsia’s departure

Gold-related counters on Bursa Malaysia surged on Friday as the precious metal, a haven asset for investors, soared to a record high due to rising concerns over the US economy.

Gold counters on Bursa Malaysia surge as safe haven demand rises amid concerns over US economy

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Forest City is enhancing the infrastructure in southern Johor to support the development of the Special Financial Zone (SFZ) and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), to create a key transportation hub in the region.

Forest City expands transportation infrastructure to support SFZ and JS-SEZ

As US President Donald Trump's wide-ranging trade war rouses fears of recession, global investors have found an unlikely new sanctuary: Chinese equities.

Donald Trump makes Chinese stocks great again

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Malaysian stocks turned positive after opening lower on Friday, boosted by gains across most Asian markets following news of a potential bipartisan support to avert a US government shutdown.

Malaysian stocks turn positive as investors across Asia cheer potential bipartisan deal to avert US govt shutdown

The upcoming Democratic Action Party (DAP) polls may not have the most crowded field for the central executive committee's (CEC) posts. However, it has drawn keen attention as internal rifts have abruptly escalated.

DAP party polls: Guan Eng faces toughest battle yet as internal rifts come into the open

Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd is considering acquiring Innovation Network Corp of Japan’s 21% stake in telecommunications tower company Edotco Group Sdn Bhd, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Khazanah said to be in talks to buy INCJ stake in tower firm Edotco — Bloomberg

(March 14): Malaysia’s Petronas is evaluating a sale of its shale oil asset in Argentina, a move that would complete its exit from the country’s booming Vaca Muerta fields as several international drillers also look to divest from the region.

Petronas has begun a process that may result...

Petronas evaluating exit from Argentina shale oil venture, Bloomberg reports

Asian shares rose on Friday and global markets attempted a rebound after a brutal selloff earlier in the week, while gold reached a record as the latest escalation of global trade tensions left nervous investors seeking safe-haven assets.

Shares rise on relief rally; gold at record high as tariff risks lurk

China stands to gain from the ongoing trade wars between the US and its allies, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in an interview with Bloomberg Television.

China is ‘laughing’ at US trade wars, EU top diplomat says

Khazanah Nasional Bhd-owned TT Vision Holdings Bhd (KL:TTVHB) has been slapped with an unusual market activity (UMA) query after a sudden spike in its share price on Friday.

Khazanah-owned TT Vision Holdings queried about spike in share price

(March 14):&nbsp;As stocks&nbsp;stumbled&nbsp;in recent weeks, a cohort of Wall Street pros took solace as credit markets held firm and economic data proved benign.

On Thursday, neither offered much relief.&nbsp;

After President Donald Trump escalated his trade war across the ...

Stock turmoil spreads as fear hits the world of corporate bonds

Construction firm Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd (KL:KERJAYA) has bolstered its outstanding order book to RM4.1 billion with the latest award of a RM11.64 million construction contract in Penang.

Kerjaya Prospek boosts order book to RM4.1b with recent Penang construction job win 

<a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/748019" target="_blank">https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/748019</a>WASHINGTON/BENGALURU (March 13): US&nbsp;automaker Tesla has warned that it and other major American exporters are exposed to retaliatory tariffs that could be levelled in response to US President Donald Trump's aggressive use of tariffs.

Tesla warns it, other major American exporters could face retaliatory tariffs as a result of Trump's trade policies

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Malaysia’s stock market valuation remains attractive despite global economic uncertainties stemming from escalating trade tensions and US tariff threats, said Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd head of research Kenny Yee Shen Pin.

Malaysia’s stock market valuation remains attractive amid Trump-driven global uncertainties — Rakuten

Malaysiakini reporter B Nantha Kumar, who has been publishing investigative reports exposing migrant worker syndicates, has claimed trial to allegations of receiving a RM20,000 bribe.

Malaysiakini reporter claims trial to RM20,000 bribery charge

HONG KONG/SINGAPORE (March 14): Container-vessel company MTT Shipping Sdn Bhd has revived plans for an initial public offering (IPO) in Malaysia, that could raise as much as US$200 million, according to people familiar with the matter.&nbsp;

MTT Shipping is said to revive US$200m Malaysian IPO plan — Bloomberg

In a few short weeks, President Donald Trump has started silencing the buy-the-dip stock traders who set the tone on Wall Street for the better part of two decades.&nbsp;

In their place are growing calls to lock in profits and sit on the sidelines while Trump’s trade-war chaos upends the economic outlook — and casts uncertainty over who, if anyone, will emerge as the new era’s stock-market winners.

‘Buy the dip’ calls fade as Trump selloffs rattle Wall Street

President Donald Trump told Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday that US control of Greenland is necessary to enhance international security, escalating his campaign to annex the strategic Arctic island.