Capital markets news | Wed 1 Apr 2026
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Google’s TurboQuant
By cutting DRAM pressure and memory‑related infrastructure costs, TurboQuant has the potential to slow the “RAMageddon” trend in AI, making it economically feasible to run larger or longer‑context models at scale.
Equity
- O&G services provider Elsa’s ACE Market IPO underwritten by Malacca Edge Star
- Tune Talk eyes 5m subscribers before possible IPO decision Edge NST Star
- Mlabs still unable to issue annual report, trading remains suspended Edge
- Bursa, FTSE Russell seek feedback on increasing FBM KLCI constituents to 50 Edge
- JD.com-backed Singapore REIT could raise SGD1b in IPO Edge
- BlackRock to launch quant fund trading Singapore stocks Edge
- Tokyo bourse gives last warning to 25 firms at risk of delisting Edge
- OpenAI valued at USD852b in latest funding round ahead of IPO Yahoo
- Nvidia invests USD2b in Marvell, announces partnership Edge
- Forex startup OpenFX raises USD94m for stablecoin-powered payments Coindesk
- Blackstone’s new hedge fund for mini-millionaires Star
- Just 3 firms are driving Europe’s EUR420b stock rout Edge
Debt
- Zamarad fully redeems Tranche 1 sukuk RAM
- Eternal Icon’s Plaza 33-backed senior ASEAN Green MTNs AAA rating affirmed RAM
- Solar Management (Seremban)’s AA3 sukuk rating affirmed RAM
- Mizuho Malaysia assigned AA1, P1 ratings RAM
- PetGas’ Pengerang LNG unit issues RM800m sukuk Edge Star
- Gopeng raises RM180m from green sukuk programme Edge Star
- BNM to shift SME funds from direct lending to guarantee model NST
- BNM focuses on value‑based intermediation to advance Islamic finance Mail NST
- Malaysia leads Asean in Islamic finance growth Star
- Household debt growth stable, underpinned by strong labour market NST
- Malaysian banks resilient against scenario worse than 2008 crisis Edge Mail NST Star
- Malaysia’s banks keep strong capital position at 18.1%, RM139.3b excess buffers Mail
- Malaysia’s financial system resilient on strong regulatory framework Mail NST Star
- BNM reports stronger credit quality for business sector in 2H2025 Mail
- Digital banks attract RM4.2b in deposits, says BNM NST
- Malaysia’s external debt hits RM1.39t NST
- Vietnam’s private banks set ambitious profit, dividend payout targets in 2026 Star
- Credit risk in Asia poised for biggest monthly spike since 2023 Edge
- Asia steps up bond support as energy shock sends yields surging Edge
- Jerome Powell says USD39t national debt not unsustainable Yahoo
- S&P tokenises Treasurys index Cointelegraph
- US bonds rally as traders bet on Fed rate cut Star
- Warren Buffett warns he’s watching stability of banking system Edge
- Fed watching private credit sector for signs of trouble, Powell says Edge
- Trump tax law’s expansion of affordable housing credit hits snag Edge
- Bitcoin enters public bond market as Moody’s gives crypto deal a rating Coindesk
- UK motor finance payouts lowered as FCA makes changes Star
Digital assets
- Bitcoin rises, oil slides, after report of Iran’s willingness to end conflict Coindesk
- Downside risk remains as bitcoin nears record-tying 6-month losing streak Coindesk
- Bitfarms targets zero bitcoin on the balance sheet as it pivots to AI Coindesk
- Chainalysis adds natural language AI agents to investigation platform Coindesk
- Google warns 5 quantum attack paths could put USD100b at risk Coindesk
- Quantum computers need fewer qubits to crack crypto than thought Cointelegraph
- Quantum computer needs just 10k qubits to empty your crypto wallets Coindesk
- Charles Hoskinson warns of CLARITY Act weaponisation by lawmakers Coindesk
- Insider trading in prediction markets is among CFTC priorities, top cop says Yahoo
- 12 European banks team up to save the euro from digital dollarisation Coindesk
M&A
- Will Sunway revise its offer for IJM? Edge
- NCT Alliance expands flagship industrial park with RM53m land acquisition Edge
- BHIC to dispose of Penang shipyard land, booking RM14.4m gain Edge Star
- Australia’s Collins Foods to transfer 20 Taco Bell outlets to Yum Brands NST
- Unilever food arm to join McCormick in USD44.8b deal Edge
Malaysia
- Can 60% of Malaysians afford to retire at 60 by 2030? Edge
- BNM: Interest rate moves made with future in mind NST
- BNM declares RM5b dividend as income eases Edge Mail NST
- BNM processed 1.7b banknotes in 2025, 86% handled via automated cash centre NST
- Over 280 actions imposed against financial institutions in 2025, BNM says Edge
- BNM to strengthen fraud resolution framework for e-banking users Edge Star
- Cyber threats remains top concern for financial institutions in 2026 Mail NST Star
- Contactless transactions rise 25% in 2025, 538 payments on average Mail NST
- Middle East conflict could pressure insurers’ underwriting performance Edge
- Japanese investors invited to move up semiconductor value chain Edge Mail NST
- Malaysia open to China automotive investments, says Johari NST
- Inflation to edge up to 1.5%-2.5% in 2026, BNM forecasts Edge Mail Star
- Inflation through the eyes of households (and BNM) NST
- Associations warned against price-fixing Edge
- Higher electricity tariff in Apr as fuel cost increases Edge
- BNM sees 2026 growth at 4%-5%, above MOF outlook Edge Mail NST Star
- BNM warns growth at risk if war exceeds 6 months, oil tops USD110 Edge NST
- No sweeping govt measures needed for now, says BNM Edge Star
- Broad-based SME stimulus not needed for now, says BNM NST
- Energy transition, tourism, capital flows could strengthen economic position Edge
- Jobs grow 3.1% in 2025 as labour market strengthens: BNM NST
- Wage growth lags productivity, more reforms needed, says BNM Edge Star
- Wage-setting institutions must be strengthened for meaningful income growth Star
- More than half of firms engaged by BNM to diversify to weather US tariffs Edge
- How exports withstood US tariffs in 2025 Edge Star
- BNM sees stronger trade growth in 2026, imports to slightly outpace exports Edge
- BNM highlights rising role of digital services trade NST
- Measuring true gains: Malaysia’s domestic value added in export Edge NST
- Malaysia’s path to becoming an ‘indispensable middle’ in global trade Edge
- Court: Najib ‘abused every level of authority’ in misappropriating SRC funds Edge
- 4 1MDB-linked paintings to arrive in Malaysia on 6 Apr, MACC says Edge
- PM’s delayed disclosure of Azam Baki share probe denied Edge
- Selangor finalising work-from-home plan Edge
- Penang still Malaysia’s top exporter with RM574b recorded in 2025, says CM Edge
- Malakoff Corp prioritises gas and RE, no new coal investment Edge
Other markets
- China targets offshore trusts in tax crackdown on ultra-rich Edge
- China’s factory activity growth hits 1-year high even as war risks heighten Edge Star
- Goldman says China will emerge from the Iran war with a leg up on the US Yahoo
- Japan’s Feb factory output falls 2.1% month-on-month Edge
- Arab nations may lose USD200b from Iran war, UN study finds Edge
- Goldman Sachs research reveals the true impact of Strait of Hormuz blockade Yahoo
- Australian USD240b pension fund buys Japan, Europe stocks and UK bonds Edge
- US-Israeli war in Iran clouds RBA outlook Star
- Kansas City Fed’s Schmid suggests Fed shouldn’t look through oil shock Yahoo
- Goldman Sachs delivers blunt message on interest rate hike Yahoo
- US Fed chief says energy shock manageable now but flags deeper inflation risks Mail
- Fed Chair Powell warns: another supply shock is coming Yahoo
- Jamie Dimon: I don’t know if Iran war will be tipping point for recession Yahoo
- US consumer confidence rises on improved views of job market Edge Yahoo
- US job openings fell in Feb as hiring slowed notably Edge
- US pump prices hit USD4 as Iran war wreaks havoc on global energy supply NST
- Trump tells allies to fight for their own jet fuel or buy from US Edge Yahoo
- Trump says US will leave Iran within 2 to 3 weeks Yahoo
- Eurozone inflation jumps most since 2022 as energy costs bite Edge
- Lagarde calls Bessent out on Iran damage during G-7 video talks Yahoo
- JPMorgan sees oil at USD150 if Strait of Hormuz closed for another month Edge
- US trade chief slams WTO after failure to extend e‑commerce moratorium Mail