KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia gave up earlier gains to end mixed today, amid a higher regional market showing, as property, construction, and healthcare counters attracted buying interests, while plantation, banking, and telecommunication stocks saw some profit-taking, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.70 points to close at 1,602.34 from yesterday’s close of 1,604.04. The benchmark index, which opened 0.86 of-a-point lower at 1,603.18, moved between 1,601.02 and 1,608.88 during the trading session. However, the broader market was mixed to higher, with gainers leading decliners by 565 to 438 while 502 counters remained unchanged, 961 untraded, and 14 suspended. Turnover narrowed to 2.83 billion units valued at RM2.08 billion versus 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.23 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the benchmark index remained range-bound and it required a dec
Volkswagen AG, Europe’s largest automaker, is planning to shut down at least three factories in Germany as part of a sweeping cost-reduction effort, according to the company’s top labor leader, Daniela Cavallo. These cuts are aimed at making the company more competitive amid declining demand in Europe and increased competition from Chinese automakers like BYD.
In addition to the closures, VW plans to implement universal pay cuts of 10% for employees at the main VW brand and reduce the scale of operations at all other remaining sites in Germany. The measures will include reducing products, quantities, shifts, and entire assembly lines, Cavallo said during a speech to VW workers in Wolfsburg.
“This is starvation, a weakening in installments,” she added, expressing concern that these cost-cutting moves would significantly affect the workforce. Cavallo also warned that this could threaten “tens of thousands” of jobs in Germany, with particular impact on the Osnabrück factory, as Porsche has already terminated its production relationship there.
The announcement comes ahead of VW's expected third-quarter results, which are predicted to show declining sales and profit. The automaker has struggled with a botched shift to electric vehicles and poor pricing strategy, which union leaders argue are the result of boardroom mistakes. Porsche and Audi, VW’s premium brands, which have been the company's main profit drivers, are also facing difficulties, with Porsche considering cost cuts after a demand slump in China.
Warning strikes at VW sites in Germany are possible starting December 1 if negotiations fail to yield results, as the company faces increasing pressure to restructure amid difficult market conditions.
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