ANALYSTS largely believe that CIMB Group Holdings Bhd’s (KL:CIMB) Forward30 (F30) strategic plan — which aims to boost return on equity (ROE) to 12%-13% by 2027, from 11.2% in 2024, and ultimately position CIMB among Asean’s top quartile by 2030 — is not beyond reach, given its strong regional pr...

Cover Story: Can CIMB deliver on its Forward30 plan?

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd’s (KL:CIMB) chief Novan Amirudin is looking forward to tackling the ups and downs that come with the bank’s ambition of growing at a faster pace over the next six years. 

He is someone who relishes a good challenge.

“To me, I always enjoy it when I...

Cover Story: CIMB chief takes challenges in his stride

THE last five years have seen CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) working diligently to improve its return on equity (ROE) — a key measure of profitability — and other important financial metrics that had fallen behind those of its rivals.

This turnaround work, crafted under its Forward23...

Cover Story: CIMB ready to accelerate, open to M&A

CEOs in Malaysia see a lack of availability of skilled workers as being the biggest threat to their business in the year ahead, a PwC survey shows. The result raises questions as to how this might impact companies’ growth plans and hiring.

Interestingly, this particular concern about sk...

Shortage of skilled workers a top concern for Malaysian CEOs — PwC survey

Brokers Digest: Local Equities - MISC Bhd, Skyworld Development Bhd, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd

MALAYSIAN companies are no longer growing as aggressively in Asean as before, says Tan Sri Nazir Razak, urging them to step up lest they fall behind their regional counterparts.

The former banker, now chairman of the Asean Business Advisory Council, believes that for many companies, the...

Grow strongly in Asean once again or risk losing out, Nazir tells Malaysian corporates

The last five years have seen CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) working diligently to improve its return on equity (ROE) — a key measure of profitability — and other important financial metrics that had fallen behind those of its rivals.

CIMB ready to accelerate, open to M&A

THE unexpected exit of Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK)’s group CFO last week has left investors with more questions than answers.

In a rare move for a bank, Maybank — the country’s largest banking group by assets — announced in a bourse filing after market close on Monday (Feb 17) the ...

Questions swirl, answers scarce over Maybank CFO’s departure

BANK Islam Malaysia Bhd (KL:BIMB), the country’s largest standalone Islamic banking group, sees Islamic pawnbroking as a burgeoning area of growth and is moving swiftly to expand this high-yield business.

According to CEO Datuk Mohd Muazzam Mohamed, the group has been operating its Ar-R...

Bank Islam doubles down on Islamic pawnbroking

RHB Bank Bhd (KL:RHBBANK) head honcho Datuk Mohd Rashid Mohamad’s contract has been extended by another three years, sources say, ahead of the group unveiling its new three-year corporate strategy later this month.

This would be the second term for Rashid at the country’s fourth-largest...

RHB Bank CEO’s term extended, sources say

Futures tied to the S&P 500 index slumped further on Monday and were down more than 20% from their all-time highs, putting the most closely followed benchmark for US equities on track to confirm a bear market.

S&P 500 nears bear market as Trump's tariffs hammer stocks

China intervened on Monday to support domestic stocks plunging on US tariff woes, with a sovereign wealth fund increasing its holdings in equities and saying it would defend market stability.

China sovereign fund steps in to support stocks plunging on trade war

HHRG Bhd (KL:HHRG) said it had suspended its chief executive officer Fong Chee Khuen for two weeks, pending the outcome of an internal probe.

HHRG suspends CEO for two weeks pending internal probe

U Mobile Sdn Bhd, which is leading the rollout of Malaysia's second 5G network, is partnering with Southeast Asian cell tower company EdgePoint Infrastructure Sdn Bhd to accelerate the rollout of in-building 5G coverage throughout the country.

U Mobile partners EdgePoint to speed up in-building 5G coverage rollout

Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) closed 7.46% lower at 3,540.5 points on Monday, erasing three weeks’ worth of gains.

Singapore's STI closes 7.46% lower, with all 30 constituents in the red

One of Honda Motor Co’s senior-most executives resigned after the automaker’s board investigated allegations he’d engaged in inappropriate conduct during a social gathering outside of work hours.

Top Honda executive resigns after allegations of misconduct

The FBM KLCI plunged 80 points or 5.58% to 1,420.22 on Monday — its steepest one-day drop since March 2008 — as escalating global trade tensions triggered a broad-based sell-off across regional markets.

Tariff jitters spark global market bloodbath, FBM KLCI plunges over 5%

Britain said it could close hundreds of arms-length government agencies, as it looks to reform the state to cut costs and improve productivity in what it called "a new era of global instability".

UK considers shutting hundreds of public bodies to streamline govt

Thailand will temporarily ban shortselling of stocks and tighten other share trading rules to curb volatility as the fallout from the US’ sweeping tariffs roil global markets.

Thailand temporarily bans short-selling to calm stock market

Australian casino group Star Entertainment said on Monday it had agreed to a A$300 million (US$179.70 million or RM814.76 million) rescue package from US group Bally's that will hand over control of the embattled group.

Australian casino group Star Entertainment agrees US$180m Bally's rescue bid

Eighteen counters were hit with intraday short-selling suspensions, after their share prices breached thresholds, amid heavy selling in the stock market on Monday.

Short selling suspended for 18 counters amid market sell-off

ONCE a darling of the Malaysian stock market, investors appear to be cashing out of Genting Malaysia Bhd (KL:GENM), following disappointing earnings, rising debt and lack of convincing prospects, pushing shares of the casino and resort operator to their lowest in five years.

Genting Mal...

Are investors cutting losses on Genting Malaysia?

The FBM KLCI plunged 80 points or 5.58% to 1,420.22 on Monday — its steepest one-day drop since March 2008 — as escalating global trade tensions triggered a broad-based sell-off across regional markets.

A common maxim of trade wars is that the best retaliation is not to retaliate at all. Such conflicts, after all, are counterproductive in the first place.

China has already trade-war-proofed its economy

KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): Foreign investors returned to net sellers last week across eight Asian markets, reversing their single-week buying streak, recording a heavy net outflow of US$7.12 billion (RM31.68 billion), with South Korea and India experiencing the heaviest selling pressure.

MIDF: Foreign investors pulled RM31.68b from Asian markets last week, South Korea saw heaviest selling

KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): CIMB Securities believes the crude palm oil (CPO) prices will be significantly impacted by the US-China trade war-led tariffs on the commodity, amid lower crude oil price.

US reciprocal tariffs to negatively impact CPO prices, may prompt earnings cut — CIMB Securities

KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): Umno’s working secretary and public official Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan said that Umno would hypothetically accept US$10 million from Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar if he gave them a donation.&nbsp;

Umno working secretary: We will take US$10 mil from Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar if it is given

KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): Google Cloud has appointed Hana Raja as its new country manager in Malaysia.

Google Cloud appoints Hana Raja as new country manager

China warned against panic in the face of President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes, saying it has plenty of policy room to defend the economy, but without ruling out negotiations with the US.

China appeals for calm, readies plans to counter Trump’s tariffs

PETROLIAM Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has been given the mandate by the government to develop the country’s third regasification terminal (RGT) as part of efforts to ensure supply security in Peninsular Malaysia, according to sources.

It is understood that the RGT, to be located in Lumut, P...

Petronas to build regasification terminal in Lumut, third in Malaysia, say sources

The Ministry of Housing and Local Government has blacklisted 109 property developers for failing to comply with the set regulations, said Minister Nga Kor Ming.

Housing Ministry blacklists 109 property developers for non-compliance, says Nga

The construction sector is likely to be less impacted by the US tariffs due to its focus on the domestic market, but industrial job flows may slow temporarily as companies adjust their strategies, analysts said.

Construction sector likely insulated from tariff woes, industrial job flows could slow — analysts

KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): Half of Malaysia’s electrical and electronics (E&amp;E) exports to the US are at risk of being hit by the recently announced 24% reciprocal tariff, according to Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Half of Malaysia’s E&E exports to US at risk of 24% reciprocal tariff — Zafrul

Malaysia should not panic or rush into decisions regarding the impact of the 24% reciprocal tariff imposed by the US on Malaysian goods, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

Malaysia should not panic, rush into decisions over US tariffs, says Amir Hamzah

A market survey of insurance industry professionals commissioned by Malaysian Reinsurance Bhd (Malaysian RE) has found that treatment costs in the private healthcare system are not based on the type and criticality of the disease but on the type of payer.

Private healthcare costs depend on payer, not disease type or severity — insurers

Cryptocurrencies sold off sharply heading into the week in Asia, underscoring a clear risk-off sentiment across markets. Bitcoin shed about 7% of its value from Sunday night through to Monday morning in Singapore to reach a low point of US$77,077 (RM344,233).

Bitcoin plunges into Asia open as crypto feels trade war pain

Malaysia is seeking clarification from the US over the basis of a 24% retaliatory tariff on its exports, denying claims that the country imposed a 47% tariff on US goods, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Zafrul seeks US clarification on 24% tariff, denies 47% tariff on US goods

Singapore’s political leaders warned of a tough road ahead, after the US unveiled sweeping global tariffs, a move described by an opposition party as scaremongering. &nbsp;

Singapore PM flags tariff alarm, opposition calls it fear tactic

DRB Hicom Bhd (KL:DRBHCOM) is said to be exploring options to restructure its 53.49%-owned unit Pos Malaysia Bhd (KL:POS), which has been bleeding red ink for nearly six years.

The diversified conglomerate may form a partnership with a European party to revive the postal group’s courier...

Corporate exercise in the offing at Pos Malaysia 

US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, although dogged by questions about his administration’s calculations of trade imbalances, is having a global impact. Even the smallest of nations have been hit by the US-imposed tariffs that will come into effect this week.

China, which has ...

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