NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

• KJTS wins RM6.6m contract from Takaful Malaysia

• Poh Kong expects economic growth

• Bonia to acquire 30% stake in ITSH for RM7.5m

• Eita Resources bags RM48m job from TNB to build Perak substation

• Asdion to buy 51% stake in Indoexpress

MACRO BITS

• US-Europe trade ties ‘shaken not stirred’ by global turmoil

• IMF is lending near record USD202.0b to counter debt and wars

• New indicators to measure cost of living standards being developed — Anwar

• Amir Hamzah: Govt always takes cautious approach when reforming tax system

• No plans to peg the ringgit, says second finance minister

• Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia encourages investment in East Kalimantan

• Delivers its first hike since 2007 and scraps the yield curve control (See Economic Viewpoint: Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Decision)

• Australia's central bank holds rates as expected, waters down tightening bias

• The Fed has a lot of questions to answer about its balance sheet

• US housing starts rise by most since May after steep decline

• ECB needs to wait for June, Vice President Guindos says

• Euro-Area labor-cost growth slowed at end of 2023

IDEAS OF THE DAY

• Sector Update: Automotive, Automotive (2QCY24 Strategy)

• Company Update: CLMT, UZMA

• Economic Viewpoint: Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Decision

Source: Kenanga Research - 20 Mar 2024