Latest news with #AmInvestmentBankBhd


The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
A1 AKK inks agreement with AmInvestment Bank
From left: AmBank (M) Bhd head of commercial banking, southern region 1, Ng Pix-Xie; AmInvestment Bank Bhd head of corporate finance Jason Lam Chi-Wye; CEO Christopher Ng Kok Wai; AmBank Group business banking managing director Christopher Yap Huey Wen; A1 AK Koh Group non-independent managing director Koh Ah Kuan; CEO Koh Lian Jie; and chief operating officer Koh Chung Jie. KUALA LUMPUR: ACE Market-bound A1 AK Koh Group Bhd (A1 AKK) has entered into an agreement with AmInvestment Bank Bhd to underwrite 50.4 million shares offered to the Malaysian public and those eligible under pink form allocations. The processed food and beverage company is issuing up to 109.2 million new shares and offering for sale up to 109.2 million existing shares, each representing 13% of the company's enlarged number of 840 million issue shares. There will be 50.4 million public issue shares under the retail offering Of this amount, 42 million shares will be made available to the Malaysian public, while the remaining 8.4 million will be allocated to eligible directors, employees and business associates of the company and its subsidiaries. Separately, the 58.8 million new shares under the public issue will be allocated to institutional and selected investors through a private placement exercise. Of the 109.2 million existing shares offered for sale, 105 million shares will be made available for subscription by identified Bumiputera investors approved by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry and the remaining 4.2 million shares for subscription by institutional and selected investors, both by way of private placement. 'The listing represents a strategic move to accelerate the group's expansion plans, broaden its distribution networks and market visibility, and allow it to pursue innovation-driven growth initiatives that align with evolving consumer preferences in the competitive food and beverage landscape,' said A1 AKK non-independent managing director Koh Ah Kuan in a statement. AmInvestment Bank is the appointed principal adviser, sponsor, underwriter and placement agent for A1 AKK's listing on the ACE Market.


The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
'Opportune time to accumulate quality stocks'
AmEquities CEO Ng said three conditions are needed to revive market activity. KUALA LUMPUR: AmInvestment Bank Bhd has a cautiously optimistic view on market outlook, citing stable fundamentals but acknowledged ongoing headwinds that suppress market sentiment. 'Deals are in the pipeline, but the problem is uncertainty,' the bank's newly-appointed chief executive officer Christopher Ng Kok Wai told StarBiz at the launching of the AmEquities trading platform and media briefing here, yesterday. Many investment opportunities are available but companies are not able to continue without improved market clarity, he added. According to Ng, three conditions are needed to revive market activity namely a strong economic impetus, US interest rate cuts and clarity on tariffs as well as global trade. 'Fund managers are still holding elevated levels of cash relative to pre-Covid-19 norms. Once a catalyst emerges, we expect those funds to be deployed,' he noted. He said last year's positive market performance was supported by the strengthening ringgit, strong inflows into the data centre segment and political stability. Ng described the current market environment as being on 'auto cruise', where it is steady but lacks momentum. 'It's not bad, but it's not good either. We need an impetus,' he said, adding that global uncertainties, particularly around tariffs and the US rate cycle, continued to weigh on sentiment. While the broader market outlook remained mixed, Ng said fundamentals remained sound. 'From a domestic standpoint, consumption is still strong,' he said. He stated that crude oil prices of between US$70 and US$80 per barrel would be sufficient for the oil and gas sector to remain viable. 'The industry isn't asking for a boom, just stability,' he added. On the retail front, Ng acknowledged that most investors had remained cautious and on the sidelines. 'Retail investors are understandably hesitant, especially with the external environment. But there are still opportunities,' he said. With the FBM KLCI trading below its historical average, it could be an opportune time to accumulate quality stocks. 'It may not feel like the perfect time, but valuations are reasonable. Caution is warranted, but not paralysis. 'We are cautiously optimistic. As a focused, Malaysian-centric player, we see this market environment as a window to create opportunities, even when sentiment is soft,' he added. The AmEquities trading platform is offering a host of advanced features including customisable dashboards, access to live market data in real time with multilingual support. It aims to provide investors with a seamless and informed trading experience, reflecting the bank's commitment to innovation amid a challenging market environment.


New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
AmInvestment unveils revamped trading platform for 'diverse' investors
KUALA LUMPUR: AmInvestment Bank Bhd unveiled its revamped AmEquities trading platform today, offering a smarter, faster, and more user-friendly trading experience tailored for a diverse investor demographic. The platform introduces state-of-the-art features including customisable dashboards, real-time market data with multilingual support, biometric login, integrated digital tokens and comprehensive portfolio analysis. AmInvestment Bank Bhd chief executive officer Christopher Ng Kok Wai described the platform as a game-changer. "The most distinctive feature of the new platform is its ability to let investors fully customise their trading dashboard according to their personal preferences, enabling them to trade like professional traders with greater confidence and efficiency," he said. Ng also shared the app's human-centric approach. "While AI chatbots are common, our app also provides a human help centre for a personalised touch." "Real-time market data, combined with robust security measures, ensures a seamless and secure trading experience." AmInvestment head equity market Leo Ong Chin Ling said the app offers competitive commission rates ranging from 0.05 per cent to 0.2 per cent for local equities. Meanwhile, Ng said the app supports international trading across markets in Hong Kong, the United States and Singapore with slightly higher rates. Ng added that the platform targets two key demographics: individuals in their early 30s who are financially stable, purposeful, and balanced, as well as older investors aged 40 to 60 with substantial investable assets. "If you're asking about customer profiles, we're looking at people with investable cash of US$2 million and above, who seek foreign exposure and are strategic about managing their spare cash." Ng also reflected on the broader retail investor landscape amid global uncertainties. "Retail investors are understandably cautious, often waiting on the sidelines. Yet, challenging times also offer unique opportunities for decisive actions," he said. Looking back at past market crises, Ng underlined the value of long-term investments.


The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
A1 AK Koh signs underwriting agreement with AmInvestment Bank for ACE Market IPO
From left: AmBank (M) Bhd head of commercial banking, southern region 1, Ng Pix-Xie; AmInvestment Bank Bhd head of corporate finance Jason Lam Chi-Wye; CEO Christopher Ng Kok Wai; AmBank Group business banking managing director Christopher Yap Huey Wen; A1 AK Koh Group non-independent managing director Koh Ah Kuan; CEO Koh Lian Jie; and chief operating officer Koh Chung Jie KUALA LUMPUR: ACE Market-bound A1 AK Koh Group Bhd (A1 AKK) has entered into an agreement with AmInvestment Bank Bhd to underwrite 50.4 million shares offered to the Malaysian public and those eligible under pink form allocations. The processed food and beverage company is issuing up to 109.2 million new shares and offering for sale up to 109.2 million existing shares, each representing 13% of the company's enlarged number of 840 million issue shares. There will be 50.4 million public issue shares under the retail offering - of which 42 million will be made available to the Malaysian public while 8.4 million will be allocated to eligible directors, employees and business associates of the company and its subsidiaries. Separately, the 58,800,000 new shares under the public issue will be placed out to institutional and selected investors by way of private placement. Of the 109.2 million existing shares offered for sale, 105 million shares will be made available for subscription by identified Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia (Miti) and the remaining 4.2 million shares for subscription by institutional and selected investors, both by way of private placement. "The listing represents a strategic move to accelerate the group's expansion plans, broaden its distribution networks and market visibility, and allows it to pursue innovation-driven growth initiatives that align with evolving consumer preferences in the competitive F&B landscape," said A1 AKK non-independent managing director Koh Ah Kuan in a statement. AmInvestment Bank is the appointed principal adviser, sponsor, underwriter and placement agent for A1 AKK's listing on the ACE Market.


The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Bursa Malaysia launches Shares2U to boost retail investor participation
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Bhd has launched Shares2U, a securities transfer scheme that enables participating organisations (POs) to reward retail investors with eligible Bursa Malaysia-listed shares as part of their marketing campaigns. In a statement today, the exchange said Shares2U is designed to drive engagement across a broad range of investor profiles, encouraging new investors to begin their investment journey, motivating existing investors to reactivate dormant accounts, and rewarding active investor participation. "For brokers, it encourages a digital-enabled approach to customer interaction, enabling dynamic, value-driven campaigns beyond traditional marketing. "Through Shares2U, POs can reward investors with selected shares when they perform specific actions, such as opening a central depository system account, depositing funds, or executing trades -thereby boosting investor acquisition and retention," it said. As a start, seven POs, including AmInvestment Bank Bhd, CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Hong Leong Investment Bank, Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd , Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd, Maybank Investment Bank Bhd, and Moomoo Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd, will leverage Shares2U in their upcoming marketing campaigns. Bursa Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Fad'l Mohamed said the launch of Shares2U aligns with the exchange's goal to enhance inclusivity and retail investor participation, a key driver of capital market vibrancy. "Today's investors, particularly younger, digitally native generations, expect more than just access. They want value, personalisation, and engaging experiences. "Shares2U empowers participating organisations to meet these expectations while fostering broader retail participation,' he said. Bursa Malaysia also stated that it would work closely with the Securities Commission Malaysia to ensure the initiative is rolled out with appropriate safeguards to protect investors. It noted that comprehensive industry consultation had been conducted with the POs to ensure that the framework is operationally feasible and aligned with market needs. - Bernama