(Jan 21): S&P 500 companies are handily beating earnings estimates, yet unimpressed investors are delivering the worst share-price reactions on record as the outlook for 2026 turns murky. While it’s still early days, data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence show about 81% of S&P 500 firms have beaten fourth-quarter profit expectations so far. Among the stocks that underwhelmed, 3M Co’s shares fell 7% on Tuesday (Jan 20) even as the company topped profit estimates, with investors focusing instead on a glum forecast. That’s lifted valuations above long-term averages just as analysts have been cutting profit estimates ahead of the reporting season. Signs of weaker demand would likely be poorly received with the S&P 500 trading at about 22 times forward earnings, above a 10-year average of 19.

The combination of the region’s ongoing economic importance, developing financial markets and regulatory environment is creating opportunities in derivatives, as the global market shifts its focus eastward. Embrace derivatives marketsThe ongoing development of China’s derivatives market is a significant highlight in the Asia-Pacific derivatives sector. On Oct 9, the China Securities Regulatory Commission’s Administrative Provisions on Programme Trading in the Futures Market was implemented. The provisions aim to enhance the regulation of programme trading, standardise its development and maintain order in futures trading. Looking aheadAsia’s growing importance on the global economic stage looks set to drive significant growth in its derivatives market.

(Jan 21): Top Thai economic officials sounded alarm over the baht’s surge to a five-year high, with the finance minister calling it a “very big concern” and the central bank chief saying that efforts to rein in the currency have had limited impact. The Thai currency is trading at around 31 baht per US dollar, close to its strongest level in five years. He said officials are trying to ease the pressures by boosting foreign investment and curbing speculative activity linked to gold trading. “We don’t have enough power to set the baht level, to make baht weaken like others want,” he said. Ekniti has worked with the Bank of Thailand to give the central bank clearer authority to oversee online gold trading in baht, a segment officials say has had an outsized impact on the local currency.

LONDON (Jan 21): The International Energy Agency revised its 2026 global oil demand growth forecasts higher on Wednesday in its latest monthly oil market report, suggesting a slightly narrower surplus for the market this year. The IEA now expects global oil demand to rise by 930,000 barrels per day (bpd) this year, up from the 860,000 bpd growth forecast in its previous report. That suggests global oil supply will exceed demand by 3.69 million bpd this year, according to Reuters calculations based on the report, narrowing from an implied surplus of 3.84 million bpd in the Paris-based watchdog's December report. "For now, bloated balances provide some comfort to market participants and have kept prices in check," the IEA said.

Yet, the past two years were lacklustre for IPOs on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as well as at its tech-heavy, crosstown rival Nasdaq. Singapore IPOs raised US$2.5 billion through 38 new listings last year while 60 IPOs in Malaysia raised RM 5.96 billion in 2025. Musk has hinted at a 2026 IPO raising more than US$30 billion at a valuation of at least US$1 trillion. The first big AI IPO off the gates this year is likely to be Anthropic whose AI chatbot and its large language models are both called Claude. Among other major IPOs this year is billionaire fashion influencer Kim Kardashian’s shapewear firm SKIMS which recently raised US$225 million led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives at a US$5 billion valuation.

“The Workers’ Party takes the view that the leader of the largest opposition party in parliament, is the leader of the opposition,” the political group said in a statement on Wednesday. Wong offered the Workers’ Party an opportunity to float another lawmaker to the role not connected to the scandal. In the 2025 general election, the Workers’ Party won nearly 60% of the vote in his constituency. Singh was appointed leader of the opposition in 2020 by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after the Workers’ Party made unprecedented gains and won 10 seats at the polls then. “In other Westminster systems, the title of the leader of the opposition is established by law and is not the prerogative or choice of the government of the day or the prime minister,” the Workers’ Party said.

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 21): The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will draft and amend several key laws this year to bolster consumer protection, said minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. He said this includes drafting provisions for a Lemon Law under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 to establish procedures and dispute-resolution mechanisms for compensation claims involving new vehicle purchases. Armizan said the ministry will also draft or amend e-commerce laws to address rising consumer complaints and support a more sustainable and conducive e-commerce ecosystem. Additionally, amendments to the Competition Act 2010 and the Competition Commission Act 2010 will empower the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) to better regulate and address cartels and monopolies in the market. In the meantime, Armizan said KPDN’s focus this year is also to implement action plans that deliver direct benefits to the public.

The former prime minister further testified that the Ambank accounts in question may have been "personal accounts", but as far as he was concerned, the monies in them were meant for corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. "I never imagined there would be problems with my accounts at that point in time," he said about opening the accounts in early 2011. Najib: I never imagined there would be problems with my accounts at that point in time. "Let me explain that the accounts were not personal in the sense that I do my personal transactions. Najib also testified that at that point in time, two of his personal secretaries oversaw his accounts with his personal transactions.

KOTA BHARU (Jan 21): The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) is developing a database to collect records and information on over 60,000 bus and lorry company operators, in an effort to strengthen the country's transportation services. This system will record driver information and determine whether the listed bus and lorry drivers are eligible to be drivers or not. The media previously reported that the Ministry of Transport would develop a database system involving all public transport drivers, including express and tour bus drivers. She also said the figure showed an increase compared to 2024, which recorded 441 punitive actions, including 381 suspensions and 60 cancellations. “Overall, there is a 33% increase in punitive actions in 2025.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): A senior Malaysian Armed Forces officer, vice-admiral Datuk Sabri Zali, has filed a defamation lawsuit against political activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, known as Chegubard. The suit, filed today at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, stems from the defendant's failure to respond to a letter of demand to retract the allegedly defamatory statements. "Vice-admiral Datuk Sabri has never been charged, convicted, or found guilty of any corruption, abuse of power, or misconduct as alleged by the defendant. “These baseless accusations are capable of misleading public perception of his service as a senior military officer," Sabri’s lawyer, Muhamad Firdaus Jumaludin, told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex. He said the defendant has acknowledged that the allegations are based on documents obtained from an unknown source, without any proper verification process.

The FBM KLCI gapped down 4.25 points to 1,694.81 at 9am, sliding lower after breaking below the 1,700 support in the previous session. "Immediate support is kept at the September 2016 low of 1,645, with stronger support comingfrom the 76.4%FR (1,610) followed by the 61.8%FR (1,564). On the FBM KLCI, IHH lost seven sen to RM8.34, PETRONAS Dagangan slid 14 sen to RM20.74 and Tenaga Nasional shed eight sen to RM13.72. On the broader market, United Plantations fell 16 sen to RM30.90, Bursa Malaysia fell seven sen to RM8.56 and Pentamaster lost six sen to RM3.70. Of actives, SBS gained 0.5 sen to 24.5 sen, VS Industry rose 0.5 sen to 46.5 sen and Zetrix AI added 0.5 sen to 81 sen.

PUTRAJAYA: The significance of the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) for the nation’s well-being remains undiminished, despite its passage in Parliament being interrupted last year, says Nga Kor Ming (pic). The Housing and Local Government Minister said his ministry is “ever ready” to table the Bill again, subject to the Cabinet’s approval for the retabling of the proposed law. “Urban development is an agenda for national development. Nga said his ministry will continue pushing for Cabinet consensus to ensure harmonisation and uniformity in the proposed law. We are ever ready to continue with the second reading of the URA because we believe this is crucial to the future of urban development,” said Nga.

The Beckham family drama has finally come to a head with David Beckham speaking out after son Brooklyn dismissed the possibility of reconciling with the soccer star and mum Victoria Beckham, who he claims “have been trying to endlessly ruin [his] relationship” to wife Nicola Peltz Beckham. I’ve been able to use my platform and my following for UNICEF,” said Beckham, an ambassador for the UN agency. So you have to sometimes let them make those mistakes as well.”More family drama for David Beckham. “My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we’ve tried to come together as one. All we want [is] peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family.” – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service

SHAH ALAM: Selangor has been allocated RM450mil for the implementation of smart city initiatives, which include the expansion of fibre optic networks and public Wi-Fi facilities. “This includes the development of smart connectivity infrastructure, the enhancement of public safety and traffic management, and the implementation of smart flood management. The MOU exchange here yesterday was witnessed by Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, together with the Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. He said implementing smart city technologies will further strengthen both city planning capabilities and city management for Selangor. “The strategic collaboration proves that a collaborative approach between the federal and state governments is key to the success of national digitalisation and the smart city agenda,” he added.

Compiled by OON JUN-YANG, C.ARUNO AND R.ARAVINTANTO encourage the use of kebaya in everyday wear, the company Miss Malaysia Kebaya introduced the Kebaya Sunday movement, Utusan Malaysia reported. “Kebaya is not merely clothing but a symbol of cultural identity and national heritage. “My hope is to see more people wearing kebaya around the capital, including in shopping malls on weekends,” he said after the recent launch of Kebaya Sunday. It also serves to promote heritage attire as part of the country’s tourism attractions. > Nik Nurliana Nik Razi, 29, is struggling to ensure the welfare of her grandmother Noriah Keria, 79, who has been bedridden after suffering a stroke since last August, Sinar Harian reported.