“Banks whose base rates closely track interbank rates, may eventually have to lower their base rates if the downtrend in interbank rates persists,” Maybank Investment Bank Research (Maybank IB). said.PETALING JAYA: Banks will likely have to cut their base rates – and consequently their...

KUALA LUMPUR : The move by Public Bank Bhd and Hong Leong Bank Bhd to raise their base rates (BR) is a positive move in alleviating some of the pressure on their net interest margins (NIM) amid an environment of declining interbank rates, said Maybank IB Research.In a note today, the research house...

KUALA LUMPUR : Lafarge Malaysia's Bhd weaker first quarter earnings was reflective of the stiff competition and higher costs faced by players in the building materials segment, said Maybank IB Research.In a note today, the research house said that the company's quarterly earnings made up only 10%...

BY TOH KAR INNPETALING JAYA: UEM Sunrise Bhd will focus on strengthening its fundamentals in order to steer growth and weather the challenging property market in 2016 and beyond.The key priorities include establishing a comprehensive marketing strategy, managing operating costs, intensifying the...

PETALING JAYA: Property developer Sunsuria Bhd has appointed Koong Wai Seng as chief executive officer.In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Sunsuria said Koong succeeded Ho Hon Sang, who has resigned to pursue other interests.The company said Ho would take up an advisory role to the founder and...

KUALA LUMPUR : Genting Plantations Bhd (GenP) reported first quarter (1QFY16) earnings that were below estimates due to negative output growth from its upstream palm oil segment as well as flattish earnings from its property division, said Maybank IB Research.In a note today, the research house...

BY AMANDA YEAPA landslide hit several houses in Kuala Terla, Cameron Highlands.IPOH: The families of four homes were evacuated after a landslide in Kuala Terla, Cameron Highlands, early Monday.A spokesman from the Brinchang Fire and Rescue Department said rocks and sand tumbled down the back of the...

BY MUGUNTAN VANARKOTA KINABALU: Firemen are continuing to fight a predawn major fire that has spread through a massive squatter colony in Sabah’s northern Kudat about 200kms from here.An estimated 250 houses have been destroyed as firemen continue to battle the blaze at the settlement of wooden...

BY SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWANajib (second from left) talking to a trader during his walkabout at the Pasar Payang complex on Monday.KUALA TERENGGANU: Pasar Payang, the iconic central market of Terengganu, will go through a facelift and will be fully operational by 2018, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun...

THE construction of a 26-storey condominium near SJK(T) Bukit Mertajam in Kampung Baru near Bukit Mertajam in Penang has again become an issue.This time, the parents are complaining about vibrations from digging works which started two weeks ago at the construction site.Consumers Association of...