Malaysia Money Matters Daily News Digest 1st May 2025

In today’s episode of Malaysia Money Matters, we unpack a broad range of stories—from DXN’s growth in Latin America and Malaysia’s gradual removal of egg subsidies to a warning sign from the US economy and a drop in global oil prices. As always, we connect the dots to help you understand what really matters and why.🇲🇾 Malaysian Company & Market News🔹 DXN Holdings Forecasts 12% Growth in FY2026Driven by strong sales in Latin America (Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina), DXN delivered nearly 6% profit growth in FY2025 and declared a 3.7 sen dividend. Analysts call the stock undervalued.🔹 CIMB Group Rides on CIMB Niaga Gains—But FX a RiskIndonesian unit’s 1Q profit up 7.37%, but a weakening rupiah may dilute group earnings. Analysts highlight the need to boost domestic wholesale banking and fee-based income.🔹 Carimin Petroleum Lands Petronas ContractWork order for 235-day anchor handling tug services (plus 30-day option) supports order book strength. No disclosed value.🔹 Eco World International Rebrands, Eyes Malaysian MarketProposing name change to EWI Capital and ending agreement with Eco World Development. Shifting from UK/Australia to Malaysian projects amid board reshuffle.🔹 HCK Capital Launches RM2B Sukuk Wakalah ProgrammeIslamic bond issuance to fund Sharia-compliant inter-company financing and wakala investments within the group.🔹 Hartanah Kenyalang ACE Market IPO LaunchesSarawak-based construction firm aiming to raise RM31.74M at 16 sen/share. Listing set for 9 June.🔹 KNM Group Faces Going Concern Red FlagAuditors cite RM1.33B in loan defaults and RM449.7M liability gap. Awaiting 6-month extension to submit restructuring plan; planning asset sales.🔹 Poultry Stocks Surge as Govt Cuts Egg SubsidiesSubsidy drops 5 sen/egg starting May 1; full removal slated for August 2025. Teo Seng, Leong Hup, Lay Hong among top gainers.🔹 Maybank Names New Group CFOShafiq Abdul Jabbar (ex-AMMB) to take over 7 July 2025.🔹 Nestlé Malaysia Battles Cocoa, Coffee Cost SurgeQ1 profit drops 17.5% despite flat revenue. Price hikes limited; focus on cost efficiency.🔹 Tasco Reports First Loss in 19 QuartersQ4 loss due to one-off warehouse write-off. FY2025 profit also lower. Declares 1.25 sen dividend; cautious outlook amid trade tension.🔹 Reach Ten, CelcomDigi Partner on Rural 4G in SarawakUsing satellite backhaul to connect remote areas. Push for nationwide digital inclusion.🔹 Sustio Doubles Penang Circuit Board CapacityRM326M expansion adds 1,400 high-value jobs. Focused on smartphone, datacenter, and future AI demand.🔹 MyEG & MIMOS Launch Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI)Built on Zetrix, aims for cross-chain interoperability and national-scale blockchain adoption. Early adopters already onboard.📊 Economic & Regulatory Developments🔹 Labuan Gears Up for Digital Carbon Credit ExchangeUpcoming carbon circular sets foundation for regulated digital trading platform, aligned with Malaysia’s climate goals.🔹 Egg Subsidy Retargeting Begins TodayRM2.5B spent from 2022–2024; full removal of subsidies planned for Aug 2025. New grade of eggs, anti-profiteering measures expected.🌍 Global Trends & Market Movers🔹 Australia’s Inflation Hotter Than ExpectedCuts likely delayed. Trump hints at new tariff talks with Australia. AUD gains.🔹 China’s Factory Activity ContractsFastest drop since Dec 2023. Export orders fell sharply. Banks trim growth forecasts. Xi urges long-term adaptation.🔹 Thailand Cuts Rates Again Amid Trade ConcernsBoT lowers rates for second time in 2025; GDP forecast downgraded amid tariff risks.🔹 US GDP Shrinks 0.3% in Q1, But Inflation RisesBiggest drag from import surge. Core inflation (PCE) up to 3.5%. Raises stagflation fears.🔹 Oil Set for Worst Monthly Drop in 3 YearsDemand fears from trade war + possible OPEC+ output hike. US pushing for lower prices.🔹 Petronas in LNG Talks with US-based Commonwealth LNGMay buy 1M+ tons/year of LNG. Ties in with regional gas expansion efforts.🔹 Mastercard to Enable Stablecoin Payments for MerchantsBig step toward mainstream adoption of crypto. Regulatory clarity cited.🔹 Norway’s Sovereign Fund Eyes Real Estate & RenewablesShifts strategy amid volatility. Sees better risk-adjusted returns in non-equities.📌 Key Takeaways & Investor Insights✅ Egg Subsidy Shift = Sector Shake-up – Poultry players see upside. Consumers brace for future cost increases. A live case of Malaysia’s subsidy retargeting strategy.✅ Blockchain & Green Finance Gaining Traction – MyEG’s MBI launch and IHH’s sustainability-linked loan signal long-term strategic moves in tech and ESG.✅ Trade Tensions Spreading Risk Across ASEAN – Malaysia, Thailand, and China all facing economic shifts driven by tariffs. Investors should watch regional rate and policy changes closely.✅ US Economy Sends Mixed Signals – Weak growth + rising inflation = uneasy markets. Implications for Fed policy and global asset allocation.🎧 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. 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