KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index closed lower today, in line with most regional markets, as investors adjusted their risk exposure amid spiralling oil prices driven by the ongoing West Asia conflict, now in its second month. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) retreated by 24.75 points or 1.44 per cent to 1,687.90 from Friday’s close of 1,712.65. The market bellwether opened 10.57 points weaker at 1,702.08 and fluctuated between 1,682.79 and 1,702.38. The broader market was bearish, with decliners thumping advancers 956 to 371. A total of 373 counters were unchanged, 1,042 untraded and 134 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.98 billion units worth RM4.85 billion from last Friday’s 2.97 billion units worth RM3.25 billion.
TheEdge Markets has reported that global semiconductor sales fell 3% year-on-year in November last year, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
SIA, representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, yesterday announced worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $28.9 billion for the month of November 2015, 0.3 percent lower than the previous month’s total of $29.0 billion and 3.0 percent down from the November 2014 total of $29.8 billion. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.
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| A drop in sales for global semiconductor sales, source: WSTS |
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| Source: http://www.design-reuse.com/news/38963/november-2015-semiconductor-sales.html |
Well, if you are looking at Bursa Malaysia, it is normal to look at the export stocks these days especially given how RM has dropped so much from just a year ago. The weakened Ringgit against the USD is of course a good news for these export counters but if you are expecting the semiconductor industries to do well, statistics suggest a slight drop.
So, what say you? Will the drop in sales be offset by the weakened Ringgit, making the semiconductor counters a good buy still?
According to the news report from The Edge Markets, SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said the global semiconductor sales in November were hurt by softening demand and lingering macroeconomic challenges. However, he said, “Despite these headwinds, the industry may narrowly surpass total annual sales from 2014 and is projected to post modest sales increases in 2016 and beyond."
To read the original news article by The Edge Markets, here is the link: http://www.theedgemarkets.com/my/article/global-semicon-sales-dipped-3-y-o-y-november-2015-says-sia
Even as I wrote this, I have a counter that is under the semiconductor industry: Inari Amertron Berhad.


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