Latest news with #CGSMY


New Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
CGS eyes regional growth in Islamic finance, eyes MENA expansion
KUALA LUMPUR: CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CGS MY) is broadening its Islamic finance presence across the region, targeting markets such as Singapore, Indonesia, and eventually the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with Dubai in its sights. According to head of Shariah services Rushdan Nadzir, navigating regulatory hurdles remains a challenge due to differing interpretations of Islamic finance, particularly in jurisdictions like Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, where structures like Tawarruq face tighter scrutiny. Nonetheless, CGS MY is pushing ahead with its expansion plans, with a strong focus on accelerating its Islamic finance growth in Indonesia. "We see from the movements during the pandemic and post-pandemic as well, and I guess the overall awareness around these Shariah products is needed. We want to provide access to ethical, high-yield investments that are scalable and rooted in compliance. Whether you are investing RM10 or RM100,000, there should be no trade-off between faith, function, and return," said Rushdan. CGS MY recently launched its first Islamic structured investment products—the Islamic equity-linked investment notes (Elin-i) and Islamic autocallable equity structured investment notes (Aesin-i)—designed for high-net-worth and institutional investors. Rushdan said the launch marked a strategic milestone in positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for Islamic financial innovation. "These structured products are a high-risk, high-return investment, with indicative returns ranging from potentially 8 to 15 per cent per annum. "As outlined in Bank Negara Malaysia's Financial Sector Blueprint 2022 to 2026, the launch supports CGS's position as a leading Islamic finance hub in Asean," he said, adding that these high-risk, high-return products offer potential annual returns of 8–15 per cent. Rushdan said that Malaysia's Islamic capital market is now valued at over RM2.6 trillion, accounting for 63 per cent of the total capital market, while the country also holds 36 per cent of the global sukuk market share as of end-2024. The firm noted that Shariah-compliant stocks have historically outperformed, particularly in Malaysia. "Although Shariah-compliant assets currently account for roughly 20 per cent of CGS MY's business, the segment is expanding rapidly. "CGS's Islamic share margin financing grew from zero to over RM100 million in just two years, and demand is also growing in futures, equity trading, and Islamic wealth management," he said. According to him, institutional clients, particularly fund managers with Islamic mandates, are increasingly conducting trades through Shariah-compliant brokers.

Barnama
08-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Global Economy To Slowdown In 2H Due To US Tariff Impact -- CGS International
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- The global economy is expected to face a slowdown in the second half (2H) of 2025 as tariffs imposed on the United States' (US) trading partners have impacted all economic actors, according to CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CGS MY). In a research note, CGS MY stated that while China was hit the hardest, other US allies, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union (EU), also suffered negative impacts. 'Positively, the US producers who baulked at the possibility of another trade war have frontloaded their purchases and piled up inventory in anticipation of rainy days, benefiting global trade, especially export-oriented ASEAN economies, which saw shipments and trade surpluses growing rapidly. 'That said, we think the front-loaded support is at its tail end as tariffs start to kick in and the US producers may have started looking inwards, dampening global demand,' it said. Meanwhile, CGS MY said that the ASEAN-4 nations - Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand - would likely lose some key growth momentum without the support from the US frontloading. The investment company has cut Indonesia's 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to 4.8 per cent from 5.0 per cent, while maintaining Singapore's GDP growth at 1.6 per cent. 'We forecast Thailand's GDP growth of 2.0 per cent in 2025, amidst dull sentiment on consumption, ongoing political turmoil, weak international arrivals, as well as risks from Trump's reciprocal tariffs,' it added. Furthermore, driven by the loss of the US market, CGS MY said that China may flood its products elsewhere, pricing out ASEAN producers. 'In our view, key to watch is the US bilateral talks with ASEAN countries on the reciprocal tariffs.


The Star
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Bursa Malaysia, Fullgoal HK, CGS MY ink mou to facilitate foreign ETFs listing
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Bhd , Fullgoal Asset Management (HK) Ltd (Fullgoal HK), and CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CGS MY) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate the listing of foreign-underlying exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Bursa Malaysia. This will provide Malaysian investors access to a wider range of investment options, while offering exposure to global markets, it said in a joint statement today. The MoU was signed by Bursa Malaysia chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Fad'l Mohamed, Fullgoal HK CEO Zhang Lixin, and CGS International Securities group CEO Carol Fong at the ASEAN Business Forum 2025, on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit. "The MOU reflects the joint commitment by Bursa Malaysia, Fullgoal HK, and CGS MY to strengthen collaboration to promote capital market connectivity between China and Malaysia, enrich cross-border product offerings, and enhance the cross-border development capabilities of the asset management industry,' the statement said. Bursa Malaysia will continue to strengthen the local ETF ecosystem through a series of structured and strategic initiatives, including a focus on ecosystem development and stakeholder engagement, and the ETF challenge, which is designed to raise awareness and educate retail investors. "Currently, Bursa Malaysia offers investment opportunities via 17 ETFs managed by six issuers, with a total asset under management (AUM) of approximately RM2.4 billion,' it noted. Fad'l said the collaboration marks a pivotal step in expanding Malaysia's ETF landscape, offering investors greater diversity and access to global opportunities. "Together with Fullgoal HK and CGS International, we are committed to deepening market sophistication and driving sustainable growth in our capital markets. This initiative reinforces our position as an investment gateway, bridging Malaysia with global financial markets,' he said. Fullgoal HK chairman, who is also Fullgoal Fund CEO Chen Ge said the strong maritime ties between China and Malaysia are rooted in a long-standing friendship. "In light of this opportunity, Fullgoal Fund is committed to its 'going global' strategy. By leveraging our research expertise in equity, fixed income, and quant investments, we are enhancing our global asset allocation capabilities and exploring international investment opportunities,' he said. CGS International's Carol Fong said the company is honoured to bring its investment management, research, and distribution capabilities to facilitate the cross-listing of ETFs on Bursa Malaysia, with Fullgoal HK. "In the past two years, we have collaborated with Fullgoal HK on two ETFs in Singapore, which offer local investors unique opportunities to invest in markets and sectors that are hard to access. "We are excited to bring more ETFs to Malaysian investors, fulfilling our aim of making investing more accessible to the masses,' she said. - Bernama


New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
CGS International backs Johor-Singapore SEZ with investment pledge
KUALA LUMPUR: CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CGS MY) has strengthened its commitment to regional investment by signing four strategic Letters of Intent (LOIs) aimed at accelerating the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). As one of six financial institutions partnering with the Ministry of Economy, the Johor State government, and the Iskandar Region Development Authority, CGS MY is positioned as a key facilitator in driving economic activity within the JS-SEZ. Chief executive officer Azizah Mohd Yatim said CGS MY is actively engaging with companies to unlock opportunities within the zone, leveraging its regulatory transparency, cross-border connectivity, and attractive incentive framework. "As Asia's global investment house, CGS MY supports businesses in exploring capital access on JS-SEZ incentives, market expansion and strategic partnerships," she said. She added that the LOIs mark a vote of confidence in JS-SEZ appeal as a launchpad for innovation and it represents more than just investment interest. The LOIs were announced at the JS-SEZ Partners Dialogue: Advancing Facilitation on Monday. Positioned as a key regional financial player, CGS MY is aiming to facilitate RM3 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) within the JS-SEZ over the next three years. In addition, the company is targeting another RM3 billion in assets under management through the development of Single Family Office (SFO) ventures.