The Securities Commission Malaysia expects a "healthy pipeline" of around 30 initial public offerings (IPOs) for 2021 compared with 19 a year earlier as an IPO is still seen as a good way for companies to raise funds for expansion and to improve their corporate standing despite the Covid-19 pandemic-driven disruption on businesses.

SC expecting 'healthy pipeline' of 30 IPOs for 2021

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd and its parent Batu Kawan Bhd said they expect earnings for the financial year ending Sept 30, 2021 to improve on the back of higher crude palm oil prices sustained by tight supply and higher exports.

KLK, Batu Kawan expect better FY21 results thanks to higher CPO prices

The craze for rubber glove stocks has yet to dissipate. The evidence of it is that the big four glove makers, namely Top Glove Corp Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Supermax Corp Bhd and Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, are among the top 30 largest stocks in terms of market capitalisation on Bursa Malaysia.

Music still loud at the glove makers' party

Tabung Haji (TH) would have tutup kedai (rolled down its shutters) if the former Pakatan Harapan (PH) government had not saved it, former minister Dr Mujahid Yusof claimed today.

Tabung Haji would have ‘tutup kedai’ if PH govt did not save it — Mujahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Bhd announced yesterday that it is in talks with Norway’s Telenor Group to merge their operations in Asia.

Assets that have been put on the negotiating table are both parties’ mobile service operations and telco towers that spread across Asean and Southern Asi...

Mega IPO on the cards from Axiata-Telenor merger

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) interest in AirAsia signals confidence in the low-cost carrier’s financial prospects, with aviation analysts predicting substantial growth should the investment proceed.

PIF’s interest in AirAsia signals confidence in growth as carrier remains mum

Malaysia should embrace and prioritise green shipping trends to remain relevant despite its strategic advantage along the Strait of Malacca, a global management consultant said.

Malaysia urged to prioritise green shipping as global maritime industry leans towards protecting environment

British billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Group aims to raise £700 million (US$900 million or RM4 billion) to fund its bid to launch cross-channel rail services to compete with Eurostar, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

Virgin Group aims to raise US$900m to fund Eurostar rival — report

Schools in Beijing will introduce artificial intelligence courses to primary and secondary students to strengthen China’s goal to dominate the sector.

Beijing to roll out AI courses for kids to boost sector’s growth

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), the human rights and law reform NGO, said that the criminal investigation of a former member of Parliament under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 — over comments made on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob — is an abuse of power and criminalises the public’s right to criticise or comment with regards to the government.

Lawyers for Liberty labels investigation into former MP as abuse of power

China's consumer price index in February fell at the sharpest pace in 13 months, while producer price deflation persisted, as seasonal demand faded and households remained cautious about spending amid job and income woes.

China's deflationary pressures deepen in February

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has announced a final distributable profit of RM192.51 million for Felcra Bhd’s participant project in 2024.

Felcra records final distributable profit of RM192.5m for 2024 — Zahid 

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that Iran will not be bullied into negotiations, a day after US President Donald Trump said he had sent a letter to the country's top authority urging Tehran to negotiate a nuclear deal.

Iran will not negotiate under US 'bullying', Supreme Leader says

Israel and Hamas signaled on Saturday they were preparing for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend the fragile 42-day truce that began in January.

Israel, Hamas signal readiness for next ceasefire talks as mediators push for progress

Republicans in control of the US House of Representatives unveiled their six-month stopgap government funding bill on Saturday to avoid a potential government shutdown on March 14.

US House Republicans unveil six-month stopgap bill to avert shutdown

IJM Land Bhd’s newly-appointed CEO Datuk Tony Ling has plans for the developer, starting with the revised master plan of its vertical township development in Kuala Lumpur, Pantai Sentral Park (PSP). In this week's City &amp; Country cover story, Ling shares how he wants the company to move in a different direction and expand its experience and property product portfolio. On top of that, he introduces a new mixed-use development in PSP called Enlace, with residential, commercial and retail offerings as well as a wellness component.

Building on a new vision

Republicans in control of the US House of Representatives unveiled their six-month stopgap government funding bill on Saturday to avoid a potential government shutdown on March 14.

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), the human rights and law reform NGO, said that the criminal investigation of a former member of Parliament under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 — over comments made on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob — is an abuse of power and criminalises the public’s right to criticise or comment with regards to the government.

The parallel between architecture and artful jewellery lies in their dialogue with time: both reflect the spirit of their era, yet they are envisioned to outlast generations. With this in mind, Roman jeweller Bvlgari decided to showcase its Aeterna high jewellery collection — named after the Latin word “eternal”— over a gala dinner in Cambodia's Siem Reap, one of Southeast Asia’s most important archaeological sites and the former seat of the mighty Khmer Empire.

Starlit soirée

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that Iran will not be bullied into negotiations, a day after US President Donald Trump said he had sent a letter to the country's top authority urging Tehran to negotiate a nuclear deal.

US consumer prices probably rose in February at a pace that illustrates plodding progress on inflation for Federal Reserve officials content to remain on the sidelines as they assess a policy whirlwind from the Trump administration.

US inflation set to stay sticky as tariff risk looms

China's consumer price index in February fell at the sharpest pace in 13 months, while producer price deflation persisted, as seasonal demand faded and households remained cautious about spending amid job and income woes.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has announced a final distributable profit of RM192.51 million for Felcra Bhd’s participant project in 2024.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco president Mary Daly said growing uncertainty among businesses could slow demand in the US economy but doesn’t require a change in interest rates.

US Fed’s Daly sees rates in ‘good place’ amid elevated uncertainty

Schools in Beijing will introduce artificial intelligence courses to primary and secondary students to strengthen China’s goal to dominate the sector.

The Social Security Administration will resume withholding full benefits from senior citizens who have received overpayments, reversing a Biden policy, in an effort to recoup US$7 billion (RM30.9 billion) over the next decade.

Social Security goes after overpayments, reversing Biden policy

The US has rejected a Canadian proposal to establish a task force that would tackle Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers, as the Trump administration re-evaluates its positions across multilateral organisations, according to people familiar with the matter.

US vetoes G7 shadow fleet task force plan, signals more change

Israel and Hamas signaled on Saturday they were preparing for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend the fragile 42-day truce that began in January.

British billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Group aims to raise £700 million (US$900 million or RM4 billion) to fund its bid to launch cross-channel rail services to compete with Eurostar, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) interest in AirAsia signals confidence in the low-cost carrier’s financial prospects, with aviation analysts predicting substantial growth should the investment proceed.

Wong Ee Lin & Ahmad Naqib Idris