{
  "id": 4372461,
  "title": "Middle East conflict weighs on Wasco earnings outlook",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/middle-east-conflict-weighs-on-wasco-earnings-outlook",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-30T07:29:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/08/1522078/middle-east-conflict-weighs-wasco-earnings-outlook"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Middle East tensions are impacting Wasco Bhd's earnings outlook, according to research firms. RHB Research decreased its earnings predictions by 53%, 37%, and 17% for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028, respectively, due to supply chain disruptions and delayed project execution. The company's orderbook stands at RM2.5 billion, with pipeline coating activities expected to pick up in the second half of 2026, as several projects are postponed. HLIB also lowered its earnings forecasts by 21.6% and 13.19% for FY26 and FY27, citing weaker contributions from the Energy Services division due to Middle East operational disruptions. Both firms maintain a \"Buy\" rating on Wasco, with lower target prices of RM1.15 and RM1.14, respectively.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Research firms have lowered their earnings forecast for Wasco Bhd, citing supply chain disruptions arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that are expected to weigh on the company's operations.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dhaka Tribune Business",
        "title": "World Bank: Middle East conflict threatens 600,000 Bangladeshi jobs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/world-bank-middle-east-conflict-threatens-600-000-bangladeshi-jobs",
        "published": "2026-08-29T16:47:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}