L’Oréal buys second Chinese skincare stake as C-Beauty brands snare market share

BEIJING: Cosmetics giant L'Oreal said on Monday it has taken a minority stake in mass-market Chinese skincare brand Lan, marking its second investment in recent months in China, where local brands have grown rapidly. L'Oreal did not disclose the size or cost of the stake, but L'Oreal North Asia President and China CEO, Vincent Boinay, said...

Vehicle sales still weighed by consumer sentiment

PETALING JAYA: Cautious consumer sentiment will continue to weigh on vehicle sales and reflect on automotive-related stocks despite measures to boost demand and a range of mostly electric vehicle (EV) choices coming into the market mainly from China. Analysts have largely kept their recommendation on automotive stocks to “neutral”, following the Malaysian Automotive Association’s (MAA) Tuesday...

Analysts share optimistic outlook for retail sector

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s retail sector remained resilient in November 2024, as reflected in the latest distributive trade index (DTI) data, but analysts noted potential headwinds ahead. The Department of Statistics Malaysia reported a 3.9% year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in the DTI for November, reaching 158.8 points, although this represented a slowdown from the 5.1% y-o-y growth recorded...

Sunny side up to drop in prices: Small traders call it ‘eggs-cellent’

KUALA LUMPUR: The three-sen drop in retail price of grade A, B and C chicken eggs that was announced on Monday, may seem paltry but it sent endless ripples of relief to small traders and was welcomed by consumers across the country. Most food traders described the new price of eggs as the sunny side up...

Malaysia’s inflation remains at 1.8% in April

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's inflation remained at 1.8% for the third consecutive month in April, led higher by price increases in restaurant and accommodation services. The rate of increase was lower than the median forecast of 1.9% in a Reuters poll of economists. In a statement, the National Department of Statistics said the country's core inflation in April...

F&N sees strong consumer demand

KUALA LUMPUR: Off the back of heightened demand due to the festive period, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd's (F&N) outperformance in the opening months of 2024 could also be pointing towards a rising preference for Asian brands, said Kenanga Research. In a results note, the research firm said it believed consumers may be opting for Asian brands...

SST increase will affect B40,M40 despite exemption, says Dr Wee

PETALING JAYA: Consumers in the B40 and M40 groups will be affected by the increase in the Sales and Service Tax (SST) despite being exempted directly, says says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong The MCA president said that although those who use less than 600 kWh a month in electricity would be exempted from SST,...

Pavilion REIT’s tenancies on the rise

KUALA LUMPUR: Kenanga Research is keeping Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) as its top sector pick on the back of its earnings resilience. "We believe Pavilion REIT’s premium retail assets are less vulnerable to downward pressure on occupancy and rental rates amidst rising headwinds in the retail sector on the back of sustained high inflation that hurts...