Banking

US Fed poised for first rate cut of the year

Washington: The US Federal Reserve (Fed) is widely expected to make its first interest rate cut of the year at its policy meeting this week, spurred by a weakening jobs market, but political tension looms over the gathering.

Corporate News

BlackRock unveils big bet on UK data centres

London: BlackRock Inc plans to pour as much as £500mil or about US$678mil into an overlooked corner of Britain's data centre market, a commitment it unveiled as chief executive officer Larry Fink prepares to join US President Donald Trump on his state visit to the country. 

Star Biz7

MN booms with data centres  

MALAYSIA'S data centre (DC) boom has been good for MN Holdings Bhd, which builds and installs substations.

Star Biz7

RE-aching higher 

AFTER a rebranding three years ago and a strategic shift into renewable energy (RE) and battery storage, Citaglobal Bhd believes 2025 could be its defining year.

Star Biz7

Lingering shadow of short selling

SHORT selling has long been a contentious feature of capital markets, balancing between its function as a price discovery mechanism and its potential to distort sentiment.

Star Biz7

Oil war's price tag

NEXT month, Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) will increase crude oil production by 137,000 barrels per day. The extra barrels are a part of the gradual unwinding of previous production cuts.

Star Biz7

Gold stocks show their mettle

THE path appears bright and glittery for gold-exposed stocks as marked to market inventories continue to see gains.

Star Biz7

The interesting geometry of building shapes

Gone are the days when buildings were just four walls. In Malaysia's bustling property market, developers fight tooth and nail on design, cost and branding. This underscores that a building's shape is a key strategic decision, not just an aesthetic one.

Star Biz7

Malaysia’s open door pays off

As a wave of protectionism sweeps across the globe, with many countries closing their doors to foreign homebuyers, Malaysia is emerging as a compelling counter-narrative.

Star Biz7

Higher rents hit credit-restricted and gig workers

In Malaysian cities, the rental market is grappling with a widening gap between what tenants can afford and the prices landlords are asking. Renters who have been house hunting lately may find themselves under more scrutiny than usual.

Forex

Ringgit expected to trade in tight range next week

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit is expected to trade within a tight range next week as investor focus shifts to the United States' anticipated interest rate cut.

Markets

Wall St Week Ahead: Investors await Fed's view on labour market

Investors will look for the Federal Reserve to communicate how worried it is about the flagging US labour market at its meeting next week and they expect the central bank to cut interest rates for the first time in nine months to shore up employment.

Short Position

Questions arise when banks end up as shareholders

BANKS operate on the principle of taking and managing calculated financial risks to generate profits.

Short Position

Tariff shadows loom over electronics manufacturing services stocks

WHILE semiconductor stocks on Bursa Malaysia have remained largely unscathed by tariff concerns, the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) segment seems to be taking a hit.

Short Position

Axis-REIT’s growth play highlights tenant risk

AXIS Real Estate Investment Trust's (Axis-REIT) decision to purchase an industrial property in Port Klang without a tenant lined up does raise eyebrows.

Star Biz7

Cultivate smart strategies for food security

FOOD security in Malaysia requires a paradigm shift, and the approach must be comprehensive without being one-size-fits-all, says Dr Larry Wong Chee Yoong, a senior fellow at the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER).

Insight

Budget 2026 – spending it right

WITH less than a month before Budget 2026, it is an opportune time to have a preview of expectations as far as the government's revenue, expenditure and financials are concerned.

Insight

Energy, technology and policy reshaping Asean mobility

THE future of mobility in Malaysia is no longer just about vehicles – it is about energy, infrastructure, and regional integration.

Star Biz7

Creatin’ a new reputation

CREATINE is shedding its gym-bro reputation, unlocking lucrative new markets as women and older Americans get wise to the benefits of the long-stigmatised supplement. Sales are booming as a result.

Star Biz7

Milking the high-protein trend

EUROPE'S dairy and poultry producers are having a moment as the global trend towards high-protein diets intensifies, in a stark contrast with Big Food's struggle to revive volumes.