Choo Swee News Today

PLASTIC packaging companies came under the spotlight last year as demand for plastic packaging-related products soared, spurred on by the change in consumption patterns of consumers across the globe as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the recent meteoric rise in the price of resin — a crucial material in plastic manufacturing — could halt the good run that plastic packaging manufacturers have enjoyed so far. While raw material prices are definitely a concern, some point to the we...

WHY are plantation stocks not on the radar of investors even though crude palm oil (CPO) prices have gained as much as 18% from RM3,070 per tonne on Nov 3 last year to RM3,632 per tonne last Wednesday? Analysts say there are several factors dampening prices, but warn that environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues that now plague the sector could be the most damaging if not swiftly addressed. This is because international investors are increasingly placing great value on such practices. ...

BURSA Malaysia-listed companies have realised how important it is to be cash rich when faced with an unexpected and severe situation like the Covid-19 pandemic. This is especially given the tough economic conditions the business community has had to weather in the past year, with lockdowns enforced in Malaysia and its major trading partners to contain the spread of the virus, bringing activities practically to a standstill. Many companies built up their cash positions in 2020 in anticipation of...

WITH the overnight policy rate (OPR) at a record low of 1.75% and with most economists pricing in another 25 basis point cut to 1.5% in the first quarter, savers with a higher tolerance for risk may opt for other alternatives for returns on their savings. One option would be to invest in stocks that offer dividend yields of at least 4% or more, which is much higher than the prevailing fixed deposit rate of 1.75% to 2% offered by most banks. “Dividend-yielding stocks are evergreen stocks as lo...