NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
- SC: Sime doesn't need to make MGO
- Takaful reports strong half
- Nicorp in oil venture with Keloil
- Daya signs MOU on oil & gas technologies
- Silk Holdings gets contract extensions from Petronas Carigali
- Dijaya 'naturally' interested in land
- George Kent again defends LRT project role
- Packaging sector sees pick-up in sales
FOREIGN NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
- Manchester United shares flat in debut after IPO disappoints
- Baer close to buying Merrill wealth unit: sources
ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (MACRO BITS)
Asia
- Japan Parliament Passes Doubling Of Sales Tax To 10%.
- Japan Q2 GDP Rises 0.3% qtr/qtr.
- China Export And Import Growth Slows Sharply In July.
- China And Taiwan Sign Key Investment Protection Pact.
USA
- Treasuries' Slide Is Longest Since February On Economic Views.
- Growing Paychecks Boost Americans' Purchasing Power.
- Import Prices In U.S. Unexpectedly Fell In July For Fourth Month.
Europe
- Spanish, Italian Two-Year Notes Drop On ECB Plan, Growth Concern.
- UK Construction Output Fall Better Than Expected.
- Romania Completes Talks With IMF, EU On Review Of Its Aid Deal.
- Russia Holds Rates For Eighth Month As Inflation Quickens.
Currencies
- Dollar Falls, Market Shakes Off Weak Asia Data. The Aussie, Asia's= Proxy, Falls Less Than Anticipated.
Commodities
- Oil Falls As China Export Growth Slows, IEA Cuts Forecast.
- Gold Up On Stimulus Hopes After Weak Chinese Data.
Source: Kenanga