MarketWatch: With S&P 500 companies set to notch their strongest quarterly earnings growth in about six years, a weaker US dollar may help keep the profit momentum rolling and support share prices in the weeks to come. - Reuters

Top foreign stories

Chemical groups Huntsman, Clariant set to announce merger: Hunstman Corp and Clariant AG are set to announce their merger on Monday, creating a chemical manufacturer with a market value of more than US$14 billion, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday. - Reuters

US and Pacific Rim countries at odds in heated trade meeting: Japan and other members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreed on Sunday to pursue their trade deal without the United States as the Trump administration's “America First” policy created tension at a meeting of Asia-Pacific countries. - Reuters

Softbank-Saudi tech fund becomes world's biggest with US$93b of capital: The world's largest private equity fund, backed by Japan's Softbank Group and Saudi Arabia's main sovereign wealth fund, said it had raised over US$93 billion to invest in technology sectors such as artificial intelligence and robotics. - Reuters

Boeing signs defence, commercial deals with Saudi Arabia: Boeing Co has signed several defence and commercial deals with Saudi Arabia including for the sale of military and passenger aircraft, the company said on Sunday during a visit by US President Donald Trump to the kingdom. Boeing said Saudi Arabia agreed to buy Chinook helicopters, associated support services and guided weapons systems, and intends to purchase P-8 surveillance aircraft. - Reuters

Top local stories

Scomi determined to deliver trains on time  Scomi Engineering Bhd says it will make every effort to ensure timely delivery of the remaining seven four-car trains to Prasarana Malaysia Bhd following the recent signing of a third supplemental agreement for the RM494mil expansion of the KL Monorail project. It is understood the train manufacturer intends to meet the strict timelines outlined in the new agreement to avoid its contract being cancelled by Prasarana. - StrBiz

Genting risks RM1b write-off: Genting Malaysia Bhd may have to write off an investment of US$274mil (RM1.18bil) should the US Department of Interior effectively decides construction of the First Light Resort & Casino in Massachusetts is not able to proceed. A definite decision will be made by June 19, 2017. - StarBiz

Mustapa: Apec’s MSME needs specific initiatives to grow: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) member countries should identify specific initiatives to promote growth and development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. - Bernama

Export value of rubber gloves rises 26% in Q1: The export value of rubber gloves in the first quarter this year increased almost 26% to RM4.026bil from RM3.204bil a year earlier. Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong said Malaysia has a commanding over 60% of the world market for rubber gloves. - Bernama

Astaka launches RM2.3b township in Pengerang: Astaka Holdings Ltd has launched the Bukit Pelali township project in Pengerang, Johor, with a gross development value of about RM2.3bil. The project comprised 3,884 residential units, including 1,598 units under the Johor Affordable Housing Scheme. - Bernama

Foreign insurers eye stake in Syarikat Takaful: BIMB Holdings Bhd has received expression of interest, according to sources, from several foreign insurers to acquire Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Bhd, one of the leading and stronger domestic takaful operators with a market value of about RM3.3bil. - StarBiz

Press Metal likely to do well with cost saving measures, higher prices: Earnings of Press Metal Bhd is projected to reach a new high this year on cost saving measures and higher product prices, analysts said, as the company’s smelters in Sarawak are already running at full capacity. - StarBiz

Yinson’s FPSO unit strikes first oil in Ghana: Yinson Holdings Bhd said its floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit has produced first oil in record time-to-market for its client in Ghana. The FPSO unit will produce up to 85,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day through 18 underwater wells, the company said. - StarBiz

KKB eyes more jobs from highway: Steel fabricator KKB Engineering Bhd is eyeing more supply and construction work from the ongoing Pan Borneo Highway project as opportunities in the oil and gas industry becomes scarce. - StarBiz

Sarawak Cable seeks a boost: Sarawak Cable Bhd is banking on a sharp increase in new orders from overseas and a steady flow of power projects in its home state to lift slumping sales. As at the end of April, Sarawak Cable’s order book for power and telecommunications cables exceeded RM500mil, the company’s CEO said. - StarBiz

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