Latest news with #PKB
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
2024 MADANI Book Voucher Programme Achieves 100Pct Redemption Rate
KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- The 2024 MADANI book voucher programme has recorded a 100 per cent redemption rate, reflecting strong enthusiasm among students and a growing interest in quality reading materials. Perbadanan Kota Buku (PKB) chief executive officer Adibah Omar said the initiative not only demonstrates appreciation for government support but also effectively rekindles a reading culture. 'The vouchers have motivated those who rarely read to start exploring books. For many, even RM100 a year for reading materials is a burden, making this initiative crucial in providing fairer access to knowledge,' she said. Adibah said this after presenting findings from the 2024 MADANI Book Voucher Impact Study at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2025, held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL). The study showed that 99.2 per cent of respondents support the continuation of the programme, with suggestions for wider internet access, simpler redemption processes, and a more user-friendly website. Notably, 94.5 per cent agreed the programme successfully encourages reading, while 97.5 per cent said it benefits students from lower-income households. 'About 72.1 per cent were satisfied with the easier and more transparent online redemption process compared to the previous physical voucher method,' she added. Adibah also said PKB has ensured equal access to quality books for students in both urban and rural areas, including Sabah and Sarawak. 'For example, children in Kinabatangan, Sook, Keningau, and Tawau now enjoy the same access as those in Melawati or Petaling Jaya,' she said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Invesco Building & Construction ETF (PKB) a Strong ETF Right Now?
A smart beta exchange traded fund, the Invesco Building & Construction ETF (PKB) debuted on 10/26/2005, and offers broad exposure to the Industrials ETFs category of the market. For a long time now, the ETF industry has been flooded with products based on market capitalization weighted indexes, which are designed to represent the broader market or a particular market segment. Because market cap weighted indexes provide a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way of replicating market returns, they work well for investors who believe in market efficiency. There are some investors, though, who think it's possible to beat the market with great stock selection; this group likely invests in another class of funds known as smart beta, which track non-cap weighted strategies. This kind of index follows this same mindset, as it attempts to pick stocks that have better chances of risk-return performance; non-cap weighted strategies base selection on certain fundamental characteristics, or a mix of such characteristics. While this space offers a number of choices to investors, including simplest equal-weighting, fundamental weighting and volatility/momentum based weighting methodologies, not all these strategies have been able to deliver superior results. PKB is managed by Invesco, and this fund has amassed over $230.50 million, which makes it one of the average sized ETFs in the Industrials ETFs. Before fees and expenses, this particular fund seeks to match the performance of the Dynamic Building & Construction Intellidex Index. The Dynamic Building & Construction Intellidex Index is comprised of stocks of U.S. building and construction companies. The Index is designed to provide capital appreciation by thoroughly evaluating companies based on a variety of investment merit criteria, including fundamental growth, stock valuation, investment timeliness and risk factors. When considering an ETF's total return, expense ratios are an important factor. And, cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive cousins in the long term if all other factors remain equal. Annual operating expenses for this ETF are 0.57%, making it on par with most peer products in the space. PKB's 12-month trailing dividend yield is 0.19%. Most ETFs are very transparent products, and disclose their holdings on a daily basis. ETFs also offer diversified exposure, which minimizes single stock risk, though it's still important for investors to research a fund's holdings. PKB's heaviest allocation is in the Industrials sector, which is about 57.20% of the portfolio. Its Materials and Consumer Discretionary round out the top three. Taking into account individual holdings, Martin Marietta Materials Inc (MLM) accounts for about 5.33% of the fund's total assets, followed by Vulcan Materials Co (VMC) and Trane Technologies Plc (TT). PKB's top 10 holdings account for about 46.24% of its total assets under management. Year-to-date, the Invesco Building & Construction ETF has added roughly 4.90% so far, and is up about 9.88% over the last 12 months (as of 05/19/2025). PKB has traded between $62.05 and $88.37 in this past 52-week period. PKB has a beta of 1.27 and standard deviation of 26.47% for the trailing three-year period, which makes the fund a high risk choice in the space. With about 31 holdings, it has more concentrated exposure than peers. Invesco Building & Construction ETF is not a suitable option for investors seeking to outperform the Industrials ETFs segment of the market. Instead, there are other ETFs in the space which investors should consider. SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) tracks S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index. The fund has $1.26 billion in assets. XHB has an expense ratio of 0.35%. Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Industrials ETFs. To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Invesco Building & Construction ETF (PKB): ETF Research Reports Vulcan Materials Company (VMC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (MLM) : Free Stock Analysis Report SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB): ETF Research Reports Trane Technologies plc (TT) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Star
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Indonesian House member Alamudin Dimyati Rois dies following crash
Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, Alamudin Dimyati Rois, or familiarly called Gus Alam. JAKARTA: Alamudin Dimyati Rois, a National Awakening Party (PKB) member of the House of Representatives, died on Tuesday (May 6) after succumbing to injuries sustained in a toll road accident last Friday (May 2). Acting Pemalang Police spokesperson Second Insp. Ipda Widodo Apriyanto said the crash occurred at around 2.40am local time on the Pemalang-Batang roll road in Petarukan, Pemalang regency, Central Java. The vehicle carrying the 44-year-old legislator and his entourage was travelling eastbound and attempted to overtake another vehicle from the left. A truck was already occupying the lane ahead, leaving little room to avoid a collision. Two people, identified as Novitasari, 41, and Muhammad Balya, 57, who were travelling in the same car as Alamudin, died at the scene. Mahfud Sodiq, the Kendal Legislative Council chairman and fellow PKB member from Central Java, confirmed Alamudin's death. Severe damage is seen on the car carrying House of Representatives member Alamudin Dimyati Rois after a crash on the Pemalang-Batang toll road on May 2, 2025. - Photo: Antara 'He passed away early this morning at Budi Rahayu Hospital in Pekalongan,' Mahfud said, as quoted by Antara. Alamudin was laid to rest later that day at the Al-Fadlu 2 Islamic boarding school complex in Sidorejo village, Kendal regency. Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral. Known for his deep commitment to grassroots advocacy, Alamudin was elected to the House three times, representing Central Java's first electoral district. He was also the son of prominent Islamic cleric Dimyati Rois of Kaliwungu. Deputy Central Java Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen expressed heartfelt condolences over the loss. 'He wasn't just a fellow politician, but a close friend. We shared many struggles together. He was a steadfast advocate for the people,' Yasin said on Tuesday, as quoted by Tribunnews. 'We belong to God and to God we shall return. May he pass in a state of grace, and may his lifelong struggle be rewarded as a lasting good deed,' he added. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Systech, BDIB, and PKB Forge Strategic Pact to Drive Cross-Border AI and Digital Integration
BEIJING, CHINA / / April 17, 2025 / Systech Bhd ("Systech"), a deep-rooted digital corporate solutions provider, has formalised a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum ("SCM") with the Beijing Daxing International Business Service Co., Ltd. ("BDIB") and Permodalan Kedah Berhad ("PKB"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kedah (Kedah Chief Minister Incorporated), marking a landmark tripartite collaboration that sets the foundation for cross-border artificial intelligence ("AI") development, digital economy integration, and regional infrastructure growth. This tripartite partnership marks a significant step in aligning efforts across public and private sectors in both countries to promote digital innovation, business connectivity, and investment in the digital economy. BDIB is the operating entity of Beijing Innovation Hub for Digital Economy Enterprise Going Global ("the Hub"). The Hub is a government-led initiative backed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology. It serves as China's first platform dedicated to accelerating the global expansion of digital economy enterprises by setting up a full-chain industrial ecosystem in Daxing District, Beijing. The Hub provides end-to-end outbound support including policy consultation, legal and regulatory compliance, talent matchmaking, site selection, and brand localisation. It acts as a vital bridge between Chinese digital economy enterprises and international markets, promoting cross-border collaboration through joint forums, business exchanges, and representative offices. Systech, with its core expertise in AI, Internet of Things (IoT), digital transformation, and cybersecurity, will serve as a local strategic partner by providing comprehensive localised landing services for Chinese enterprises seeking to expand globally. This includes supporting their digital transformation, business localisation, and international market entry, particularly in will also be responsible for end-to-end project management and assisting in the setup and operationalisation of Chinese companies in Malaysia, positioning itselfas a key enabler of cross-border digital integration. PKB, as the state investment vehicle, will facilitate land identification and development at high-potential sites including Kulim Hi-Tech Park and the upcoming Kedah Aerotropolis. These projects are expected to benefit from state-backed support in the form of investment incentives, subsidies, and infrastructure, providing a conducive environment for foreign digital economy players to anchor operations in Malaysia, for their international expansion. Encik Mohd Azad Bin Jasmi, Chief Executive Officer of Permodalan Kedah Berhad, commented, "This Strategic Cooperation marks a vital step in PKB's ongoing efforts to attract high-impact investments into Kedah. The digital economy presents enormous potential for our state, and through this collaboration, we will position Kedah as a preferred destination for global AI and tech enterprises. We look forward to supporting this initiative through the provision of strategic land assets, regulatory facilitation, and long-term infrastructure development." Mr. Chang Xuezhi, CEO of Beijing Daxing International Business Service Co., Ltd., stated, "We are excited to enter this strategic cooperation with Systech and PKB as we extend China's digital capabilities abroad. Malaysia offers a stable, forward-looking environment for technology collaboration, and this partnership will serve as a launchpad for Chinese enterprises to explore opportunities across Southeast Asia. The Hub is committed to supporting this effort through policy alignment, resource sharing, and comprehensive outbound service delivery. In the meanwhile, we look forward to welcoming more potential investments from Malaysia to the Hub through our collaboration with Systech and PKB." Managing Director of Systech Bhd, Dato' Derrick Hooi added, said, "This partnership is not just about market expansion, it's about ecosystem building. By aligning Systech's digital and AI expertise with Beijing Innovation Hub's outward-facing momentum and PKB's strategic infrastructure capabilities, we are creating a powerful framework for sustainable digital transformation. This initiative will open new pathways for AI integration, smart infrastructure, and bilateral innovation between Malaysia and China. It reflects the broader vision of advancing corporate globalisation for both nations." This strategic memorandum outlines cooperation on multiple fronts, including the establishment of overseas service centers and representative offices, the organisation of bilateral exchange programmes, and the provision of full-stack support services such as compliance consultation, talent matching, and branding for digital enterprises. These efforts are aimed at integrating Chinese digital economy players into Malaysia's ecosystem while nurturing domestic innovation and localised AI development. The collaboration strongly complements Malaysia's broader digital strategy under the MyDIGITAL framework and the objectives of the National Artificial Intelligence Office ("NAIO"), which seeks to position Malaysia as a regional hub for responsible AI adoption and technological excellence. The agreement is effective for an initial term of one year, during which the parties will identify priority projects and move towards implementation through joint working teams. ABOUT SYSTECH BHD Systech Bhd is a Malaysia-based investment holding company operating through three primary segments: Corporate solution, Cybersecurity and e-Logistics. The corporate solution segments include Digital Transformation and Automation via artificial intelligence ("AI") and Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP"), Internet of Things ("IoT") and Human Capital Management ("HCM") solutions. For more information, visit ABOUT PERMODALAN KEDAH BERHAD Permodalan Kedah Berhad is the state investment arm of Kedah, focused on driving economic development through strategic investments in key industries, including infrastructure, property development, and digital transformation. PKB plays a vital role in fostering economic growth, attracting investments, and supporting government initiatives that enhance Kedah's industrial and technological landscape. Through collaborations with industry leaders, PKB aims to strengthen the state's position as a hub for innovation and sustainable development. For more information, visit ABOUT BEIJING DAXING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SERVICE CO., LTD. Beijing Daxing International Business Service Co., Ltd. is the operator of the Beijing Innovation Hub for Digital Economy Enterprise Going Global. As China's first and only government-led platform focused on supporting the internationalisation of digital economy enterprises, it offers comprehensive outbound services such as policy consultation, legal compliance, talent acquisition, and market localisation. Backed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, it serves as a strategic link between Chinese tech enterprises and global opportunities. For more information, please contact:Jazzmin WanEmail: William YeoEmail: SOURCE: SYSTECH Berhad View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homebuilder Stocks Slump as Trump Tariffs Endanger Housing Market Recovery
Shares of a number of large homebuilders sank Thursday after the Trump administration announced its new tariffs. Analysts and homebuilders have said that tariffs could make construction more expensive. UBS analysts said any cost passed on to consumers could "prove challenging in a choppy demand environment."Shares of several homebuilders fell Thursday on concerns that the Trump administration's new tariffs could raise costs and slow construction of new homes in the U.S. The stocks of D.R. Horton (DHI), Lennar (LEN), Toll Brothers (TOL), PulteGroup (PHM), NVR (NVR), Taylor Morrison Home (TMH), KB Home (KBH), and Meritage Homes (MTH) were all down sharply Thursday. The Invesco Building & Construction ETF (PKB) and the iShares US Home Construction ETF (ITB), which track the performance of the sector, were both down almost 5%. UBS analysts said in a Thursday note that their work indicates about 7% of the materials and equipment used to build homes in the U.S. is imported and is now subject to an average tariff of 22%. The analysts expect the average home to become $6,400 more expensive to build because of the tariffs. The tariffs won't just impact imported goods, the analysts said, as they expect a "knock-on price increase" of about 5% for domestic homebuilding supplies. The analysts said they expect the burden of the higher prices will be spread across the industry of suppliers and homebuilders, as higher prices for consumers should be a last resort. Any price increase to the average home "could prove challenging in a choppy demand environment already constrained by meaningful affordability challenges," they wrote. With homebuilding stocks having fallen over the last several months on tariff concerns, the analysts said they "believe the market is presenting a particularly attractive entry point for investors." For more coverage of the market's reaction to the latest tariff news, check out Investopedia's daily live blog. Read the original article on Investopedia Sign in to access your portfolio
