Malaysia Money Matters Daily News Digest 22nd May 2025

In today’s episode of Malaysia Money Matters, we explore the latest earnings from Malaysian corporates, strategic moves in the energy and tech sectors, and escalating global trade dynamics. From Nvidia’s AI bet on Malaysia to US tariffs hitting local solar exports, we break down what it all means for you.🇲🇾 Malaysia Company & Market News🔹 Apex Healthcare Slips, Eyes Q2 RecoveryQ1 net profit fell 17.1% amid weaker public sector sales and losses from associate Straits Apex. A rebound is expected in Q2. Shares unchanged at RM2.15.🔹 Bumi Armada Secures Full Rights to Indonesian Oil BlockArmada Kojo BV gains 100% control of Kojo Block in the Makassar Strait. Estimated reserves: 90M barrels of oil and 2T cubic feet of gas. Shares up nearly 1%.🔹 Affin-AMMB Merger Buzz Raises Dilution ConcernsCIMB flags potential share dilution in a proposed merger. AMMB shares dipped; Affin steady. Sarawak’s stake in Affin adds political context.🔹 Duopharma Eyes Halal Boom in IndonesiaUpcoming Indonesian halal regulations present a new export opportunity. Also secured a local insulin supply contract extension. Shares rose to RM1.33.🔹 Eversendai Rides Global MomentumSecures RM1.3B in contracts across UAE, India, Singapore, and Germany (offshore wind). Total order book now RM6.6B.🔹 Petronas Chemicals Swings to RM18M LossDragged by weak margins, cost pressures, and FX losses. Despite higher revenue, analysts grow cautious. Shares fell.🔹 Sunway Construction Doubles Profit on Data Centre WinsQ1 profit more than doubled, boosted by large-scale data centre contracts. Added RM260M Johor project. Dividend: 5 sen. Shares hit five-month high.🔹 Sports Toto Hits 12-Year Profit PeakQ3 net profit surged 54.3% as jackpot-driven betting spiked. Revenue at record high. Dividend: 2 sen. Shares rose.🔹 MyEG Grows 16.5% on Blockchain RevenueZetrix platform boosts performance. Revenue up 28.8%, though impairment losses offset gains. No dividend this round.🔹 Retail & Plantation Strength: Aeon & TSH Profits ClimbAeon net profit up 18.7% on festive spending. TSH net profit surged 140% on higher CPO pricing and lower finance costs.🔹 Renewables Surge: Velesto, Samaiden, Group, Solarvest Win BigVelesto secured a Vietnam drilling contract. Samaiden won a RM45M LSS5 solar job. Group and Solarvest both saw net profits triple on solar expansion.🔹 Delisting Risk: Sarawak Cable & AnnumTrading suspension set for May 28, delisting expected by May 30 after failure to submit regularisation plans. Both are PN17 firms.🔹 Public Bank Delivers Stable GrowthQ1 net profit up 6% on stronger loan growth and lower provisions. Impaired loans remain low at 0.5%. No dividend declared.🔹 Malaysia’s First Gold-Backed Pawn Loan Bond Rated AAATY Consolidated’s innovative RM bond backed by gold pawn loans earns top rating from RAM. Pioneering retail credit securitisation model.🌍 Global Trends & Their Impact on Malaysia🌐 Bird Flu in Brazil Threatens Global Chicken SupplyOutbreak halts key exports, including to China and Europe—potential inflation risk for Malaysia.🔹 China–ASEAN Free Trade Deal 3.0 FinalisedExpanded scope includes digital, green economy sectors. Formal signing expected by year-end.🔹 EU Sanctions Russian LNG ShipmentsThree ships linked to Yamal LNG targeted. Moscow rerouting via Arctic routes to bypass Europe.🔹 G7 Eyes Tariffs on Chinese Online GoodsTemu, Shein in focus as new tariffs discussed. EU mulls flat import fee. Could reshape low-cost e-commerce.🔹 UK Inflation Surprise May Delay BoE Rate CutsApril CPI at 3.5%, higher than expected. Services inflation remains sticky.🔹 US Fed vs. White House: Tariff Inflation DisputeFed urges caution on rates due to tariff-related price risks. White House downplays inflation concerns.🔹 Middle East Tensions Drive Oil VolatilityUS intel suggests Israel may target Iranian nuclear sites. Oil prices react on supply fears.🔹 US Tariffs Target Malaysian Solar ExportsNew duties average 34% on solar gear from Malaysia and others. Potential hit to exports and RE projects.🔹 Indonesia Cuts Rates to Support GrowthNew 5.5% rate aims to boost sluggish GDP and stabilise the rupiah amid tariff fallout.💡 Tech, Trade & Strategic Developments⚡ NVIDIA-YTL Supercomputer Project in Malaysia ConfirmedNvidia’s Q3 rollout of GB200 supercomputer at Johor’s YTL Green Data Centre cements Malaysia’s AI infrastructure leadership.🔹 MITI to Unveil New Semiconductor Incentives in JulyFresh fiscal support for Malaysia’s chip sector to mark one-year anniversary of National Semiconductor Strategy.✈️ Sarawak’s MASwings Acquisition Set for Completion by Year-EndRegional airline “Airborne” to preserve routes and staff. Strengthens East Malaysian air connectivity.📌 Key Takeaways & Investor Insights✅ Data centre and solar infrastructure are powering corporate profits—Sunway Construction, Solarvest, Samaiden, and Group all surged.✅ Nvidia’s AI infrastructure bet on Malaysia is a long-term game changer—highlighting power stability, talent, and policy readiness.✅ Rising US tariffs now hitting Malaysian solar exports—investors should watch for supply chain disruptions and margin impacts.✅ Malaysia’s banking sector remains resilient—Public Bank, among others, continues to deliver stable returns.✅ Central banks in the region are cutting rates amid trade risks—monetary easing could ripple into Malaysian markets and policy decisions.🎧 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