Malaysia Money Matters Daily News Digest 16th May 2025

In today’s episode of Malaysia Money Matters, we break down 99 Speed Mart’s solid earnings, major infrastructure wins for local firms, and Sapura Energy’s high-stakes rescue plan. Plus, what falling oil prices and gold’s safe-haven rally signal about global uncertainty—and how it all connects to your money.🇲🇾 Malaysian Company & Market News🔹 99 Speed Mart Delivers Strong Q1Q1 net profit jumps 7.5% to RM143M; revenue up 7.6%. Declares 2.25 sen dividend. RM780M cash in hand and plans for a new Cyberjaya distribution centre signal confidence and expansion. Shares up 1.8%.🔹 Aneka Jaringan Bags RM50.5M KL ContractWins 18-month earthworks job for 62-storey development on Jalan Sultan Ismail. Adds visibility to order book; shares dipped 4%.🔹 Bintai Kinden Contracts Reinstated by TNBThree power station contracts reinstated after earlier termination due to financial woes. Signals recovery post-regularisation plan. Shares flat.🔹 Dialog Group Swings Back to ProfitQ1 profit down 13.6% y/y, but rebounds from previous loss. Declares 1.3 sen dividend. Focus shifting to Malaysia and Pengerang. Shares up 3%.🔹 Duopharma Posts Record Q1 ProfitNet profit surges 68% to RM25.6M on strong insulin sales and API price normalisation. Revenue up 36%; shares climb 2%.🔹 Fibromat Wins RM283.5M Infrastructure ContractAwarded subcontract for Central Spine Road project in Kelantan. 24-month duration. Boosts order book. Shares steady.🔹 LBS Bina & Oriental Holdings JVRM7B mixed-use GDV in Klebang, Melaka over 561 acres and 15 years. Strategic expansion for LBS; long-term bet. Shares slightly down.🔹 MN Holdings Secures RM37.9M WTE ProjectWins contract to build waste-to-energy interconnection facility. Maybank IB starts coverage with 'Buy'. Shares jump 6.5%.🔹 PJBumi Signs MoU for Onshore RigsSubsidiary eyes rig supply deal with China’s Intlef Oil and Gas. Potential pivot toward onshore drilling.🔹 Samchem Q1 Profit Falls 34%Soft margins and lower selling prices hit results. Outlook cautious on global headwinds. Shares down 1.3%.🔹 Sapura Energy Unveils PN17 Exit PlanMassive regularisation plan includes 99.99% capital reduction and debt cut to RM5.2B. MOF may become 33% shareholder. Shares unchanged at 4.5 sen.🔹 Sunway REIT Hits Record HighQ1 NPI up 20.4%, revenue up 23%. Strong retail segment, positive rental reversions. AEON Mall Seri Manjung acquisition on track for Q3. Units up 3.6%.🔹 YNH Property Extends Mall Sale TimelineExtends AEON Mall Seri Manjung sale to Sunway REIT by 4 months. Expects RM12M gain to repay debt. Shares dip 1.1%.🌍 Global Trends & Their Impact on Malaysia🌐 Apec Warns of Sharp Trade Growth Slowdown2025 regional trade forecast slashed to 4% (from 5.7%) due to weak demand and US tariffs. Regional GDP also cut to 2.6%.🇪🇺 EU Eyes US Tariff Deal but Monitors China Export SurgeEU hopeful for US tariff resolution but wary of record Chinese trade surplus. Dumping concerns rise.🇨🇳 Tech Tensions Remain Despite Trade TruceChina slams US for Huawei chip ban enforcement. Truce hasn't softened tech export curbs.🇺🇸 US Economic Outlook MixedFed holds rates. Producer prices dip; consumer inflation softer but still above target. Retail sales flat. Possible easing in bank capital rules ahead.🛢 Oil Prices Fall on Iran Nuclear TalksTrump signals nuclear deal is close; more Iranian supply could pressure oil further. IEA warns of oil oversupply in H2 2025.📈 Gold Rally Incoming?UBS projects gold to retest record highs, reaching US$3,500/oz by end-2025 on global uncertainty and rate cut hopes.🇯🇵 Malaysia-Japan Bioeconomy BoostRM1.34B in green energy and biotech MoUs signed at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Strengthens bilateral green tech ties.📌 Key Takeaways & Investor Insights✅ 99 Speed Mart’s growth, cash pile, and dividend make it a retail sector standout.✅ Sapura’s massive restructuring could reshape its future—watch MOF’s role closely.✅ Big infrastructure wins (Fibromat, MN Holdings) show stimulus effects filtering into construction.✅ Duopharma’s API-driven margin rebound underscores healthcare resilience.✅ Global trade tensions and oil oversupply risk continue to weigh on broader outlook—hedge accordingly.🎧 Listen Now for a deep dive into Malaysia’s financial gems and global trends shaping 2025!🔗 Subscribe & Share the Malaysia Money Matters podcast on Substack, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.Malaysia Money Matters is a one-person passion project. Subscribe for free or support me as a paid subscriber—it means the world to me! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mmoneymatters.substack.com