29 July 2021
COVID-19 UPDATE
Fresh questions about whether Tokyo Olympics worsening Japan’s pandemic situation
Ivermectin not in next phase of WHO’s trial
Emergency ordinances revoked without Malaysian ruler’s consent
Two million jobs could be lost
MALAYSIA
Autos
Mercedes-Benz dealer Cycle & Carriage Bintang back in the black
Capital markets
Bursa Malaysia achieves best-ever six-month performance since 2005
Cosmos Technology board hoping for bigger fundraising platform
Health
Bioalpha partners lab in South Sudan on COVID-19 testing programme
Rhone Ma exclusive distributor of Citest Diagnostics’ antigen rapid test kit
Oil and gas
PSC offshore Sarawak goes to Petronas Carigali, Sarawak Shell and PETROS unit
Plantations
IJM plans to reward shareholders following disposal of plantation arm to Kuala Lumpur Kepong
Property
Steady demand for residential properties in Klang Valley despite pandemic
JAKS Resources successfully appeals against HC decision on damages to Star Media
Mah Sing MD expects pent-up demand for strategically located and affordably priced properties
Retail
Malaysia Airports will provide no less than RM400 million in rebate, incentives
Tax
Center for Market Education outlines need to reform and modernise tax framework
Transport
Prasarana’s first CEO, expert weigh in on whether we are doing enough to develop public transport
ASIA
Gaming
First glimpse of Genting Singapore, Melco’s design concepts for Yokohama city
Technology
Samsung posts strongest result in more than two years
AUSTRALIA
Real estate
Mansion only 450m from Royal Botanic Gardens available for rent at A$10k per week
Tax
Crown Resorts pays A$61 million as fine for underpaying taxes at Melbourne operations since 2012
EUROPE
Sport
Full financial impact of pandemic on football won’t be known for several years
Technology
Music-streaming service Spotify beats expectations
SINGAPORE
Banks
No more caps on dividends paid by locally incorporated banks and finance companies
Property
PropertyGuru may consider Asian listing
Technology
TotalEnergies to buy ‘Blue Charge’ network from Bollore
UK
Autos
High demand for Aston Martin’s first SUV
Employment
Dismissal of teacher for asthma-related absences ‘inherently unfair’
Islamic finance
Wahed founder/director explains challenges and opportunities for Islamic fintech sector
Pharmaceuticals
GlaxoSmithKline’s own vaccines business squeezed while rivals make hay
Retail
Fortress-led consortium gets more firepower to raise offer for Morrisons if required
Tobacco
Total user base of British American Tobacco’s non-combustible products now at record 16 million
BAT on track to make £5 billion yearly in sales from new category products by 2025
US
Pharmaceuticals
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine brings in nearly half its revenue
Restaurants
McDonald’s Q2 revenue beats forecast
Retail
Toymaker Mattel raising prices in H2
Technology
Duolingo latest start-up to impress Wall Street
Facebook’s Q2 profits double thanks to huge increase in ad revenue