Capital markets news | Tue 26 May 2026
Do you know?
Artificial intelligence (AI) trends
AI’s effect on the labour market will come from: (1) task automation, where AI agents take over routine and multi-step work, and (2) job re-pricing, where workers who can supervise, complement, or leverage AI become more valuable while others face wage pressure or displacement. The result is less a simple story of mass unemployment than a restructuring of work, with productivity gains concentrated in firms and workers that adapt fastest, while knowledge-heavy and labour-intensive sectors face margin changes, hiring shifts, and greater inequality.
Equity
- Industrial chemicals distributor Eckem’s ACE Market IPO to raise RM15m Edge NST Star
- Local institutions extend net buying streak to 6 weeks on Bursa Malaysia Edge Mail NST Star
- Stronger ringgit, FDIs lift foreign appetite for Malaysian equities and bonds Edge
- China trading tycoon loses USD1.7b in one day after curbs Edge
- China traders rush for exit after cross-border flow crackdown Edge
- Japan regulator urges firms to use cash for growth, not returns Edge
- SpaceX and OpenAI IPOs could push the AI trade deeper into bubble territory Yahoo
- Hedge fund tech positions hover near record highs, Goldman Sachs says Yahoo
Debt
- RAM positive on Malaysia’s power sector amid robust prospects RAM
- AmBank Group entities P1, AA2 ratings affirmed RAM
- Kami Builders’ RM90m Tranche 1 SRI sukuk assigned final AAA(s) rating RAM
- BPMB, Matrade team up on RM700m initiative for Malaysian exporters Mail NST Star
- BSN offers up to RM100k working capital financing under MSME SRF Star
- Mitraland, RHB partner on green financing scheme for SMEs Edge
- Malaysian, Asia-Pacific banks less impacted by higher energy prices – Moody’s Edge NST
- Japan won’t add bonds on calendar basis to fund extra budget Edge
- US Treasury rout tests Washington’s tolerance for higher borrowing costs Edge Star
Digital assets
- Polymarket banned in Indonesia after bets on Prabowo’s ouster Edge Coindesk
- UAE-linked ADI Chain gains Ledger support amid stablecoin growth Cointelegraph
- Wall Street distribution is the missing link for tokenised securities Coindesk
- Hyperliquid challenges traditional exchanges and prediction markets Coindesk
- Squid and Safe Labs say third-party module behind USD3.2m exploit Cointelegraph
- Tether says it will launch ‘official’ stablecoin in Georgia, with govt support Edge
M&A
- Petronas to take full control of PRefChem after buying out Saudi Aramco Edge Mail NST Star
- MNRB targets completion of Labuan Re acquisition by 4Q26 to boost global expansion Star
- CEO leading buyout bid for MIDF Amanah Asset Management, say sources Edge
- LTAT said to seek buyers for Boustead Plantations, at least three suitors in play Edge
- Axiata says edotco, LinkNet divestment to support dividend growth Edge NST
- High Court allows UOA Development unit to challenge tax bill on property sale to REIT Edge
- Valiram Group completes acquisition of stake in Lendlease’s assets Edge
- Frankly Speaking: Yet another deal for Ann Joo Edge
- Ann Joo falls nearly 14% after announcing third attempt to exit upstream business Edge
- Frankly Speaking: MKH’s puzzling denial Edge
- Delivery Hero jumps 10% as investors bet on sweetened takeover offer by Uber Edge
Malaysia
- AEON Bank names CEO effective 22 May Edge NST Star
- SC launches social exchange platform Edge NST Star
- Malaysia’s leading index rises 0.5% in Mar NST
- Higher crude prices drive up costs for Malaysian producers by 5.4% in Apr NST Star
- The State of the Nation: Tougher times loom as Malaysia’s economy slows in 1Q Edge
- Online job market records 587,801 vacancies in 4Q – DOSM Edge NST
- 9 in 10 Malaysians back tobacco tax hike if revenue funds health programmes Edge
- 1MDB’s lawyer claims meaningful probe not pursued despite red flags Edge
- Pre-GE market trends inconsistent, early polls likelier than market impact Edge
- Johor a cost-efficient data centre alternative to Singapore – Moody’s Edge Mail
- TNB extends Kenyir Hydro Power Station PPA Star
Other markets
- Singapore core inflation at 1.4% on year in Apr, lower than expected Star
- AI chip demand drives 6.0% growth for Singapore in 1Q NST Star
- Singapore warns growth outlook to weaken on energy crunch Edge
- MAS tell private banks in Singapore to shorten account opening time for the rich Edge
- Thailand’s trade deficit hits record USD10b as imports soar Edge
- Taiwan urges USD630b asset management sector to beef up Edge
- Japan plans USD19b extra budget amid concerns over fiscal strains Edge
- India rupee climbs on oil relief, central bank valuation comment Edge
- Goldilocks is leaving the building: JPMorgan predicts negative growth shock Yahoo