AI Chips, Tariff Risks, and New Growth | Malaysia Daily Financial News Digest 15th July 25

Today’s deep dive: Malaysia’s strategic shifts in finance, infrastructure, and tech, plus global trade tensions reshaping the outlook.

🇲🇾 Malaysian Company & Market News
🔹 Maybank Backs Semiconductor Green Finance
Extended RM638M sustainability-linked loan to AT&S Malaysia, the first local bank loan of its kind in the sector. Tied to emissions targets—reinforces Malaysia’s semiconductor ambitions and Maybank’s ESG leadership.

🔹 CIMB Triples Sustainable Finance Target
Boosted to RM300B by 2030. A major bet on ESG and transition financing.

🔹 AEON Credit Issues 10th Sukuk Wakalah
RM150M to fund Shariah-compliant consumer lending—continued diversification of funding sources.

🔹 Capital A & KTM MOU
Integrating air and rail travel: bundled tickets, cargo logistics, loyalty programs—aimed at modernising the transport ecosystem.

🔹 Econpile Kicks Off New Fiscal Year Strong
Secured RM25M new contracts in just 2 weeks—likely to beat full-year targets, a bullish signal for construction.

🔹 Malaysia Airports Invests in KLIA
RM30M upgrades in H1 focused on faster processing, better comfort—part of a push to climb international rankings.

🔹 Flexidynamic Diversifies Beyond Gloves
Acquiring majority in Gammatech for gamma sterilisation—mitigates reliance on the pressured glove sector.

🔹 Radium Development Enters Healthcare
Launching Radium Hospital Ayer Keroh in Melaka—capitalising on healthcare demand in secondary cities and medical tourism.

🔹 Rex Industry Takeover Advised Against
Independent adviser deems the offer “not fair, not reasonable”—minority shareholders urged to reject.

🏛️ Domestic Economy & Policy
🔸 Consumer Spending to Stay Resilient
OPR cut + wage growth + tourism recovery expected to support spending—but expanded SST and fuel subsidy changes could weigh on households.

🔸 CIMB Flags Oil & Gas Earnings Pressure
Persistent sector headwinds likely to shrink earnings further in 2025, despite valuations appearing cheap.

🔸 National Seed Council Announced
Focus: food security, regulating seed monopolies, and building a national seed bank to cut import reliance.

🔸 Malaysia Tightens AI Chip Exports
New trade permit requirements for high-performance US AI chips—aims to close regulatory loopholes, boost strategic control.

🔸 Sabah & Labuan Power Upgrades
RM260M investment in 7 projects: new transmission line to Sarawak, strengthening ASEAN grid integration.

🌍 Global & Market Developments
🇨🇳 China Rare Earth Exports Surge 32%
Hints of easing US trade tensions—but Q2 growth only modestly above target.

🇸🇬 Singapore Beats Recession Fears
Q2 expansion driven by manufacturing, services, and construction—resilient despite looming US tariffs.

🛢️ OPEC Expects Tight Q3 Oil Market
Strong demand outlook could keep prices elevated.

🇪🇺 EU Warns of Retaliation Over US Tariffs
Trump’s proposed 30% duties labeled “prohibitive”—risk of broader trade conflict rising.

🌏 Emerging Market Bonds Attract Inflows
Investors wary of developed market deficits turn to Asia—Malaysia among beneficiaries.

💵 US Dollar Down Over 8%
HSBC calls it an “anti-bubble,” signaling possible near-term stabilization.

🇨🇳 China’s PBOC Nudges Bond Buying
Encouraging smaller banks to invest in government bonds, but cautiously—balancing risk and liquidity.

🇺🇸 Potential Fed Chair Dismissal?
Deutsche Bank flags Trump possibly firing Powell—serious risk to market stability and USD.

📌 Key Takeaways & Investor Insights
✅ Maybank’s green loan underscores Malaysia’s semiconductor ambitions.
✅ OPR cut boosts consumer sentiment—but watch for SST impact.
✅ Capital A-KTM partnership modernises travel logistics.
✅ AI chip controls signal strategic positioning in tech trade.
✅ Global tariffs remain the biggest wildcard for exports.

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