MONEY MASTER

CAB Cakaran Corp Bhd (KL:CAB)  is accelerating its retail and food business strategy with an ambitious plan to  quadruple its retail network  across Malaysia over the next five years, backed by a  RM100 million investment . The move comes as the poultry and integrated food group deepens its footprint across the value chain — from feed production to consumer retail — a strategic step to strengthen its market position and margin control. Retail Expansion: 25 to 100 Stores Nationwide Group managing director  Chris Chuah  told  The Edge  that CAB aims to expand its  Pasaraya Jaya Gading  and  Home Mart Fresh & Frozen  supermarket chains to  100 outlets , up from the current 25, across its existing markets in  Penang, Kelantan, Kedah, Perak, and Pahang . “Our strategy is to build a nationwide retail network as one of the main distribution channels for the group’s products,” said Chuah. In tandem, the group is also scal...

CapitaLand Investment Ltd has secured approval from Chinese regulators to launch a public real estate investment trust (REIT) — making it the  first foreign investor  to tap into China’s fast-growing REIT market. Key Details of the Listing Approved by the  China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC)  for registration on the  Shanghai Stock Exchange . Will raise about  2.1 billion yuan (US$294 million / RM1.24 billion) . Backed by two malls: CapitaMall SKY+  (Guangzhou) — jointly owned by CapitaLand Investment and CapitaLand’s private development arm. CapitaMall Yuhuating  (Changsha) — owned by a Singapore-listed, China-focused REIT supported by CapitaLand Investment. CapitaLand, together with its affiliates, will retain  at least 20% ownership  of the C-REIT. China’s REIT Market: From Infrastructure to Retail Launched in  2021  to channel capital into infrastructure projects. Expanded to  shopping malls in 2023 . Strong ...

 Retail Volumes Surprise on the Upside New Zealand’s retail sector showed  unexpected strength in 2Q25 , suggesting that recent interest-rate cuts are beginning to filter through to household spending. Retail sales volumes (inflation-adjusted):   +0.5% QoQ  (vs. consensus: –0.3%). Marks the  third straight quarterly gain , defying expectations of weak consumer demand. The data contrasts with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) forecast of a  0.3% GDP contraction  for Q2, raising the possibility that household consumption could provide a stabilizing force for the broader economy. Sector Breakdown Electrical goods:  +4.6% (strongest gain, reflecting improved discretionary demand). Furniture, floor coverings, recreational goods:  Also higher. Accommodation:  –2.1%. Food & beverage:  Fell for the  second consecutive quarter . Hospitality:  Spending remains flat, highlighting continued weakness in services. Policy Back...

Next time your teenager begs for fiery  Buldak ramen  or a quirky  Labubu toy , don’t just roll your eyes. You might actually be staring at the  next billion-dollar brand  before Wall Street even notices. Gen Alpha’s Growing Power Born between  2010 and 2024 ,  Gen Alpha  is set to become the most influential consumer group in our lifetime. Already, an estimated  US$5.3 trillion (RM22.41 trillion)  has been spent on them. By 2030, some will be working and earning their own money. Unlike Gen Z’s love for “little treats,” Gen Alpha has something even bigger:  their parents’ ears . Over  90% of parents  say their kids are great at discovering new products. Children now influence about  42% of household spending . The New Consumer Trendsetters Parents — especially millennials, who have faced high costs of living, job insecurity, and rising housing prices — are listening to their kids more than ever. This means  brand...

CIMB Securities has expressed  optimism toward Malaysia’s latest fiscal stimulus , predicting a  short-term boost for the consumer sector  as the government rolls out new support measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and encouraging domestic spending ahead of  Merdeka  and  Malaysia Day .  Key Highlights of the Stimulus Package: RM100 e-credit  for all Malaysians aged 18+, benefiting  22 million people  under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme. Valid from  Aug 31 to Dec 31, 2025  at over 4,100 outlets including Mydin, Lotus’s, Econsave, and 99 Speedmart. RON95 petrol price slashed  from RM2.50/litre to  RM1.99/litre , benefiting 18 million vehicles. More details on subsidy rationalisation to come by end-September. September 15 declared a public holiday  to spur domestic tourism and service sector activity. RM500 million allocation  to cap toll hikes on  10 highways , focusing on Klan...

  Key Highlights: Earnings Outperform Expectations: Q3 diluted EPS rose to $2.87 , up from $1.96 last year. Beat analysts' expectations of $2.71 . Revenue Growth: Q3 revenue increased 9% YoY to $2.40 billion , exceeding forecasts of $2.36 billion . Upgraded Full-Year Guidance: Fiscal 2024 EPS guidance raised to $14.08–$14.16 , up from $13.95–$14.15 . Revenue expectations increased to $10.45–$10.49 billion , up from $10.38–$10.48 billion . Analysts anticipated $13.97 EPS and $10.44 billion revenue , slightly below new projections. Positive Q4 Outlook: Expected EPS: $5.56–$5.64 , aligning with analyst estimates of $5.62 . Revenue forecast: $3.48–$3.51 billion , closely matching the consensus of $3.50 billion . Investor Reaction: Lululemon's performance reflects strong demand and operational efficiency, driving shares up 17% on Friday , with optimism surrounding robust holiday season prospects. Outlook: The upgraded guidance signals confidence in maintaining growth momentum, po...

In technical analysis, gaps —blank spaces on price charts where a stock’s price sharply moves up or down—are viewed as significant indicators of potential price movements. These gaps, often forming at market open, provide insights into shifts in market sentiment and short-term trends. Below is a look at the top-performing stocks with the largest gaps and strategies for leveraging these movements. Thursday’s Top Gap Performers Here are the top 10 stocks with the largest gaps by percentage change ( Gap %chg ) as of Wednesday's close: American Airlines (AAL) Gap Up: +16% Catalyst: Raised Q4 profit outlook, signaling strong operational performance. Stellantis (STLA) Gap Up: Details pending, likely due to automotive sector recovery. Applied Materials (AMAT) Gap Down: Sector-wide chip sell-off affecting semiconductor stocks. Ulta Beauty (ULTA) Gap Up: +10% Catalyst: Strong earnings beat and positive holiday season guidance. Synopsys (SNPS) Gap Down: -12% Catalyst: Disappointing Q...

When you're tempted to sign up for a retailer's credit card at the checkout counter, the promise of an initial discount or future perks might seem like a great deal. But beware: that cute blouse or new gadget could end up costing you far more if you don’t pay off your balance in full each month. A recent study by Bankrate has found that interest rates on store credit cards have reached their highest levels since the firm began tracking them in 2008. The average rate on these cards now stands at 30.45% , a significant jump from 24.35% in 2021, and far above the average rate for general credit cards, which is around 21% . Some store cards, like those from Academy Sports + Outdoors, Petco, and Big Lots , are even hitting 35.99% APR . How High Rates Could Impact Your Wallet Let's break down what this means: If you sign up for a store card and make a $1,000 purchase with a 20% discount, you'll pay $800 upfront. But if you carry that $800 balance at an APR of 35.99% and onl...

Remain neutral call with unchanged target price (TP) of RM0.72 Parkson Holdings (PHB) started FY17 with a net loss of RM62.6m due to losses incurred in all segments. Stripping out impairment losses on goodwill, other receivables and property, plant and equipment of RM60m, estimated core net loss of c.RM26m was still below our and consensus expectations. Core segments such as Malaysia and China are still facing tough operating environments with same store sales (SSS) at -7%. Separately, the disposal of its 100% interest in Beijing Huadesheng Property Management Co., Ltd to Shenzhen Qianhai Tulan Investment Centre (LLP) and Shanghai Changkun Investment Management Co Ltd. is expected to bump up its earnings by c.RM300m or 28 sen per share upon completion. All told, we keep our earnings unchanged for now pending more clarity from Management on earnings trajectory given current challenges. Our  Neutral  call and TP remains unchanged at  RM0.72 , based on 14x m...