KUALA LUMPUR: The recent 25 basis points (bps) hike of the overnight policy rate (OPR) to 3% from 2.75%, effective since July last year, is mainly due to concerns about asset bubble rather than inflationary pressures, said Dr Yeah Kim Leng, chief economist of RAM Holdings Bhd.

Faber Group Bhd (May 9, RM2.05)

NEW YORK: US home values fell in the first quarter (1Q) at the fastest rate since late 2008, real estate data firm Zillow Inc said on Monday, suggesting that a bottom will not be seen until 2012 at the earliest.

Zillow said its home value index fell 3% in the first three months of the year from the previous quarter, and was down 8.2% year-over-year.

BEIJING: A month-long trial of the Shanghai-Beijing high-speed railway would start on Wednesday, May 11, a Chinese Railways Ministry spokesman said.

"The high-speed railway will test run on May 11, and it is expected to be fully operational by end of June," said the spokesman, Wang Yongping during an online session with the public on Monday.

KSL Holdings Bhd (May 9, RM1.74)

KUALA LUMPUR: Casa Andaman Sdn Bhd, the developer of Cova Square in Kota Damansara, says that 20 of the 30 units in the first phase of its Diamond Square new shop office development in Serdang, Selangor have been sold since its release early last month.

BEIJING: Chinese banks must restrict "shadowing" activities and bring off-balance-sheet trust loans back onto their books to help ward off possible risk, the country's top banking regulator said on Monday, May 9.

KUALA LUMPUR: Excitement in the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) is stirring again, with the announcement that it too may soon see a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project and a commuter train system as well as considerable news flow of strategic tie-ups and developments there.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) recent hike in interest rates may do little to dampen the property market as demand is expected to continue amid rising inflation.

A new high-end development was recently launched in Cameron Highlands, one of Malaysia’s favourite holiday destinations, known for its cool weather, fresh fruits and vegetables.