Global Markets     The worsening COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in governments restricting the movement of its citizens to contain the spread of infection. Policymakers also unveiled large-scale stimulus measures to cushion the economic impact of the pandemic. In the US, the Fed introduced broad QE programmes with unlimited commitment to purchase USTs and MBS. In Europe, the ECB ann...

Known as the “Silicon Valley of the East” for its strong electronics and electrical (E&E) manufacturing base, Penang is the main economic driver for Northern Malaysia. It recorded the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita among the 13 states in Malaysia since 2014. One of the nation’s major trading hubs, Penang is among Malaysia’s top foreign investment destinations. P...

MARC has affirmed the People’s Republic of China (China) foreign currency sovereign rating at AAA with a stable outlook based on its national rating scale.  The AAA rating reflects several of China’s credit strengths, including a relatively resilient economy, which is large and well-diversified. China also has ample foreign exchange reserves — the world’s largest — to buffer against...

MARC has affirmed its MARC-1IS /AAAIS ratings on PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad’s (PDB) Islamic Commercial Papers (ICP) and Islamic Medium-Term Notes (IMTN) Programme of up to RM2.0 billion with a stable outlook. There is currently no outstanding amount under the rated programme. The ratings reflect PDB’s strong financial metrics, characterised by its strong liquidity and conservative capital ...

MARC has affirmed its AA-IS rating on MMC Corporation Berhad’s (MMC) RM2.5 billion Sukuk Murabahah Programme with a stable outlook.   The affirmed rating remains driven by MMC’s significant strength in ports and logistics, engineering, and utilities operations that continue to be steadily strengthened. Underpinned by long-term concessions (ports and utilities) and sizeable government...

MARC has affirmed its AA-IS  rating on Cerah Sama Sdn Bhd’s RM420.0 million Sukuk, with a stable outlook. Cerah Sama is the investment holding company of Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, the concessionaire of the 11.5-km Cheras-Kajang Highway. The rating affirmation is premised on the company’s resilient cash flows and stable revenue base, underpinned by steady traffic performance on the mature C...

MARC has affirmed its AA-IS rating on Malakoff Power Berhad’s (MPower) RM5.4 billion Sukuk Murabahah with a stable outlook. MPower is the operations and maintenance (O&M) operator of its parent company Malakoff Corporation Berhad’s (Malakoff) majority-owned domestic power plants. As at end-December 2019, the sukuk has an outstanding amount of RM3.34 billion. The rating reflects the co...

MARC has affirmed its AAIS  rating on Fortune Premiere Sdn Bhd’s RM3.0 billion Multi-Currency Islamic Medium-Term Notes Programme (Sukuk Murabahah). The rating outlook is stable.Fortune Premiere is a funding vehicle for its parent IOI Properties Group Berhad (IOI Properties) which has provided an unconditional and irrevocable corporate guarantee on the rated sukuk. Accordingly, the rating c...

MARC has affirmed the financial institution (FI) rating of AAA on The Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) and the issue rating of AAA on its Medium-Term Notes programme of RM1.0 billion. The FI and issue ratings are based on the domestic rating scale. The ratings outlook is stable. The FI rating on KEXIM is equalised to the Republic of Korea’s (South Korea) AAA/stable rating from MARC, refl...

MARC has affirmed its financial institution (FI) rating of AAA on Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) with a stable outlook.The rating is driven by CGC’s status as a development financial institution (DFI) for which the government through Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), CGC’s main shareholder, has continued to provide support. In its role, CGC provides credit guarantees on loans and...