Marco Holdings Bhd — the distributor of Casio watches, calculators, digital cameras and musical instruments — plans to expand its business into property development in the next two years.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to benefit from the policy uncertainties in the US and Europe in recent times. Asia Pacific investors may be more comfortable about repatriating their investments back to their home region, said CBRE|WTW in a press release recently.

Ascott Residence Trust (ART) is acquiring DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York – Times Square South for US$106 million (S$148.4 million or RM454.2 million), a 224-unit freehold property located on 36th Street in Midtown Manhattan.

Meanwhile, the group expects to launch properties with total gross development value of RM1.86 billion this year, including its Akasa Cheras development launched earlier this year, affordable Rumah Selangorku homes in Puchong, and projects in Sabah.

Mah Sing Group Bhd is expanding its landbank as the property developer plans some RM1.9 billion worth of launches in 2017. Affordable housing in Malaysia is a crucial focus for Mah Sing this year.

LBS Bina Group Bhd has said it is still positive on its joint venture with China's local investment arm Zhuhai Jiuzhou Group Holdings Ltd.

MKH Bhd has reported lower net profit and revenue for its second quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Fajarbaru Builder Group’s net profit in the third quarter ended March 31, 2017 (3QFY17) grew close to eight times to RM22.2 million, from RM2.86 million a year earlier, on revenue generated by its property development segment.

Property developer Malton Bhd’s net profit for the third quarter ended March 31, 2017 (3QFY17) dropped 39.7% to RM3.9 million or 0.87 sen per share from RM6.5 million or 1.45 sen per share a year ago due to reduced profit from its property development segment.

Mulpha Internatinational Bhd’s first quarter net loss narrowed to RM1.15 million, from RM3.82 million a year earlier, thanks to higher contribution from its property and investment divisions.