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Kenanga Group Posts All-Time-High RM1 Billion Revenue and RM155.5 million Operating Profit in FY2024

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
FY2024 VS FY2023

  • Revenue at RM1.0 billion, up by 22.3%

  • Operating Profit at RM155.5 million, up by 88.7%

  • Profit Before Tax (“PBT“) at RM117.2 million, up 33.1%

  • Net Profit at RM95.8 million, up by 31.6%

  • Net Income at RM799.6 million, up by 22.6%

  • Operating Expense at RM644.0 million, up by 13.0%

  • Return on Equity at 8.75%, up by 25.8%

  • Earnings Per Share at 13.18 sen, up by 31.3%

  • Net Equity Trading Investment Income at RM55.8 million, up by 30.8%

  • Overall Market Share at 9.6%, Retail Segment Market Share at 25.3%

  • Asset Under Administration (“AUA“) at RM23.5 billion, up by 8.5%

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 – Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga Group” or “The Group“), Malaysia’s leading independent investment bank, today delivered one of its strongest financial results to date for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 (“FY2024“). The Group posted an all-time high revenue of RM1.0 billion, up 22.3% year-on-year, while operating profit surged 88.7% to RM155.5 million, also its highest yet. PBT rose 33.1% to RM117.2 million, while net profit climbed 31.6% to RM95.8 million.

Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad
Kenanga Group’s strong results were driven by a significant revaluation gain on strategic investments through its Private Equity arm, alongside higher trading and investment income, net brokerage income, and management and performance fees. Increased contributions from associates further bolstered its bottom line, partially offset by credit loss expenses.

Reflecting this performance, the Board of Directors has declared an interim single-tier dividend of 8.00 sen per ordinary share for FY2024.
“2024 was another landmark year for Kenanga Group, delivering one of our strongest financial performances to date, despite market headwinds. This milestone underscores the resilience of our diversified business model and our disciplined approach in capitalising on growth opportunities across all our key business segments,” said Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad.
Kenanga Group’s Stockbroking division recorded RM363.6 million in revenue, a 17.9% increase from the previous year. PBT eased to RM15.4 million from RM16.1 million in FY2023, reflecting the impact of credit loss expense incurred during the year as opposed to a writeback in the previous year. Amid heightened market volatility and an evolving competitive landscape, the division successfully maintained its retail market share of 25.3%. The structured warrants business remained a key contributor, reinforcing the Group’s position as Malaysia’s leading issuer, with the highest market share in warrants trading volume.

Its Asset and Wealth Management division posted revenue of RM303.9 million, an increase of 14.9% year-on-year. The revenue was primarily driven from its institutional and retail segments. Despite higher overhead cost, which led to a PBT of RM47.0 million relative to RM58.7 million in 2023, the division’s AUA saw strong growth, closing at RM23.5 billion, an increase of RM1.8 billion year-on-year.

The Group’s Investment Banking division registered a jump in both revenue and PBT for FY2024, with a 10.0% increase in revenue to RM246.4 million, and an 8.4% increase in PBT to RM6.2 million. This was driven by higher investment income from treasury and fee income, buoyed by a vibrant bond market and capital market.

Kenanga Group’s Listed Derivatives business continued its growth streak, delivering yet another year of record performance. Revenue climbed 15.3% to RM27.6 million, while PBT surged 24.1% to RM7.8 million, its highest in over a decade. This sustained upward trajectory was fueled by higher trading commissions and interest income, supported by a surge in trading activity across the listed derivatives market.
“As we enter 2025, our focus remains on growing our core businesses while accelerating digital transformation. By strengthening recurring income streams, optimising cost efficiencies, and expanding product offerings, we are positioning Kenanga Group for sustainable, long-term growth,” added Datuk Chay.
“With a legacy that spans over five decades, we continue to leverage our vast experience from navigating market cycles, and create synergies across our ecosystem to drive innovation, expand market reach, and create greater value for our stakeholders,” concluded Datuk Chay.

Beyond financial performance, Kenanga Group remains committed to responsible and sustainable growth. In 2024, this commitment was reaffirmed with the Group’s continued inclusion on the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index, ranking among the Top 8% of Malaysian public-listed companies.

Hashtag: #Kenanga

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (197301002193 (15678-H))

Established for over 50 years, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“The Group“) is a leading financial group in Malaysia, offering a wide range of services, including equity broking, investment banking, treasury, Islamic banking, listed derivatives, investment management, wealth management, structured lending, and trade financing. The Group’s digital innovations include the launch of KDi GO, a wealth-centric app, along with game-changing products such as Rakuten Trade, Malaysia’s first fully digital stockbroking platform, and Kenanga Digital Investing, an A.I. robo-advisor.
Kenanga has garnered multiple awards, including top honours at the Bursa Excellence Awards 2023 and The Edge Malaysia Centurion Club 2023. The Group also secured the Top 20 Overall Excellence and the Niche Cap Excellence Award at the National Corporate Governance and Sustainability Awards 2024. As one of the highest- scoring constituents of the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index and a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact, Kenanga continues to drive collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in the financial industry.

For more information, please visit

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Hong Kong Company Formations Surge 40.5% in 2025, Outpacing Regional Competitors

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Air Corporate data reveals 9 in 10 founders incorporated in Hong Kong do so remotely, driven by a 20% surge in Middle Eastern entrepreneurs seeking cost-effective operational alternatives to Dubai.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – Air Corporate registered a 40.5% increase in Hong Kong incorporations in 2025, with the first quarter of 2026 already up 48% year-over-year. This data indicates that Hong Kong is reasserting itself as the leading Asian jurisdiction for company formation, fueled by a new wave of remote founders from the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

The prevailing narrative over the past five years suggested that Singapore was eclipsing Hong Kong; however, recent incorporation volumes challenge this. According to city-wide official figures cited by Vivian, Founder of Air Corporate, approximately 195,000 companies were registered in Hong Kong in 2025, compared to around 77,000 in Singapore.

“There was a lot of fuss about Singapore taking over Hong Kong as preferred jurisdiction over the last few years, but for 2025 alone, around 195,000 companies were formed in HK, vs around 77,000 for Singapore,” said Vivian. While city-wide registrations rose roughly 35% in 2025, incorporations at Air Corporate specifically grew by 40.5%. Vivian added, “With a 35% increase in the number of companies registered in 2025, Hong Kong is definitely back in the game as the top jurisdiction to start a company.”

The reality of Hong Kong company formation is increasingly global, lean, and founder-led. Nine in ten founders incorporated in Hong Kong with Air Corporate do not live there.

Key demographic and operational insights from Air Corporate’s client base include:

  • Approximately 90% of founders operate remotely from abroad, while 10% or less are based in Hong Kong.
  • Entrepreneurs aged 35 to 44 represent the largest age cohort at 38%, demonstrating that Hong Kong attracts founders in their prime career years rather than just younger digital nomads.
  • Serial entrepreneurs make up 60% of Air Corporate’s client mix, utilizing Hong Kong as an operational base for multiple companies, while first-time founders account for the remaining 40%.
  • A total of 89% of new companies are launched by solo founders (58%) or small teams of two to five individuals (31%).
  • Mainland China, Hong Kong, Turkey, India, the UAE, Australia, France, and Morocco rank among the top source markets for these founders.

Furthermore, 73% of new Hong Kong incorporations are directly tied to physical goods trade with China. This consists of e-commerce and dropshipping businesses (38%) and the trading of goods (35%). The recovery of in-person trade flows, including events, such as the Canton Fair and various industrial fairs, is pulling foreign founders back into the Greater China orbit and establishing Hong Kong as the natural entry point and financial layer over the world’s largest manufacturing base.

Air Corporate’s data recorded a 20% year-over-year growth in founders originating from the Middle East. This shift highlights a reverse migration where founders previously incorporated in Dubai are now choosing Hong Kong. Based on Vivian’s observations, founders often arrive in Dubai expecting fast incorporation and low costs, but discover that incorporation and maintenance are significantly more expensive than in Hong Kong, and banking remains difficult. Consequently, many founders move to Hong Kong after 12 to 24 months in the UAE, a trend accelerated by the Hong Kong government’s strategic outreach to the region.

For lean, remote-first businesses, speed-to-market is a critical factor. A founder located anywhere in the world can incorporate in Hong Kong and open a working bank account in approximately 7 days using digital banking partners. Currently, 90% of Air Corporate’s clients utilize these digital banking partners.

“Hong Kong and Singapore are the only places in Asia where you can set up your company, get a corporate account, and be in business in less than a week,” concluded Vivian.

Air Corporate is a service provider facilitating company formation and incorporation in Hong Kong for serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, and remote-first business owners operating globally.

Media Inquiries
To learn more about Hong Kong company formation, visit Air Corporate’s website or contact their team directly.

Hashtag: #AirCorporate

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Natural Diamonds Sparkle on The Red Carpet at The 2026 Met Gala Celebrating “Costume Art”

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Today’s biggest stars express individuality and confidence with natural diamonds

NEW YORK, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – The 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” took place May 4th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, bringing together leading figures from across the globe for an unforgettable evening. These tastemakers showcased the most classic, refined and distinctive diamond jewelry looks of the season. Below, A Diamond is Forever highlights the standout trends from the event.

Desert diamonds

Desert diamonds emerged as a striking throughline on the Met Gala carpet, with a range of hues in distinctive settings taking focus.

Rihanna led the trend in a pair of exceptionally rare old Moghul Golconda fancy brown-yellow diamond earrings by Glenn Spiro, featuring two pear-shaped natural diamonds totaling 51.9 carats. Doja Cat offset her all nude look with a pair of large Leviev Diamonds floral-shaped earrings while Paloma Elsesser made a statement in a 29.5-carat diamond necklace by Bernard James, centered around a 15-carat fancy light yellow pear-shaped natural diamond. Cara Delevingne wore a De Beers London Forces of Nature High Jewelry ring, featuring marquise yellow diamonds set as eyes, while Emma Chamberlain opted for yellow and white diamond earrings by Chopard, underscoring the continued allure of warm diamond hues.

Magnificent Diamond Earrings

A wide variety of captivating silhouettes defined the natural diamond earrings on the Met Gala carpet. Zoë Kravitz delivered a modern twist with oversized diamond flower earrings by Jessica McCormack. Chase Sui Wonders opted for Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany & Co. Sea Fan earrings, bringing an element of sculptural artistry to the look. Gracie Abrams selected gently dangling Chanel earrings, adding understated fluidity, while Connor Storrie selected simple hoop earrings from Tiffany & Co., reinforcing the clean and enduring appeal of natural diamonds.

Standout Diamond Moments

Natural diamonds appeared in personal, unconventional and eye-catching ways, offering moments of surprise and awe. Power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z embodied this trend with Beyoncé wearing Chopard’s Queen of Kalahari necklace, named after the rare 342-carat diamond that provided 23 stones for Chopard’s Garden of Kalahari collection. Jay-Z contributed to the narrative with a vintage diamond brooch by Briony Raymond worn at the collar as an unexpected placement that underscored the piece’s versatility. Isha Ambani made the styling of diamonds an art form in itself, wearing her own diamond jewelry featuring approximately 150 carats of old mine-cut diamonds, including a three-strand necklace and chandelier earrings, while also incorporating diamonds sewn directly into the bodice of her sari to represent significant moments in her life.

Together, these looks highlighted a shift toward natural diamonds as vessels of personal expression, styled with intention, individuality, and a sense of the unexpected.

Hashtag: #MetGala #RedCarpet #ADiamondisForever #NaturalDiamonds #Diamonds





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Turn Your Savings into a Front-Row Experience: HL Bank Singapore Offers Exclusive Passes to AsiaTop Music Festival 2026

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The premier music festival will play host to 16 K-pop, regional and Malaysian stars including, in performance order: Day 1 – NexT1DE, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Win Metawin, NMIXX, WINNER, DAESUNG, KUN. Day 2 – Uriah See, Firdhaus, Butterbear, 82MAJOR, STAYC, CRAVITY, TWS, CxM

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – Your next major K-pop experience is just a savings goal away as HL Bank Singapore (“HLB Singapore”) bridges the gap between financial wellness and the front row. In an exclusive collaboration designed for the ultimate music enthusiast, the bank is offering fans the chance to secure a pair of sought-after AsiaTop Music Festival 2026 tickets, valued at up to RM1,098 (approx. S$355), simply by growing their wealth.

HL Bank Singapore is giving music fans the chance to redeem exclusive passes to the AsiaTop Music Festival 2026, featuring top Asian acts, through its iSavings Reward Campaign.

This unique initiative stems from the regional synergy between Hong Leong Bank (“HLB”) and Tencent Music Entertainment Group (JOOX and QQ Music). By aligning with Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Selangor Year 2026, HLB is transforming the traditional banking experience into a gateway for premium entertainment. Scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2026 at the iconic Sepang International Circuit, the festival promises a high-octane weekend featuring an elite lineup of Asian superstars, including the largest K-pop showcase in the ASEAN region.

Securing a spot at the heart of the action has been streamlined through the iSavings Reward Campaign, running from 9 May 2026 to 18 May 2026. To participate, fans first decide on their preferred festival experience, selecting either a pair of Standard Passes with a S$5,000 deposit or the high-energy, nearer-to-the-stars Rockzone Passes with a S$8,282 deposit for their chosen day.

Once a tier is selected, customers can register by depositing the qualifying funds into an iSavings account via FAST or Links transfer. To validate their entry, customers must include the specific Comment Code, such as PALLIR1 for Day 1 Rockzone, within the funds transfer description. The qualifying balance must be maintained within the account for a six-month (182 days) earmarked period.

With only 88 pairs of tickets available for this exclusive campaign, the stakes are high. Allocation is limited to 22 pairs per day for each ticket category and will be awarded strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to act quickly to ensure their savings work as hard as they do while securing a premier seat at the musical event of the year.

For full terms & conditions, and further details, please visit: www.hlbank.com.sg/AsiaTop2026

Hashtag: #HLBankSingapore

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

HL Bank Singapore

HL Bank Singapore is the Singapore branch of Hong Leong Bank Berhad, a leading digital-centric Malaysia-based financial services institution with a rooted heritage in the country spanning over 120 years. Operating under a Full Bank Licence in Singapore, HL Bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services to our business, retail and high networth customers through our 4 core business segments – Business & Corporate Banking, Personal Financial Services, Private Wealth Management and Global Markets.

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