MONEY MASTER

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 30): The FBM KLCI ended today's trade 12.02 points or 0.68% higher, after getting 11th hour boost from index-linked CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and MISC Bhd. The last minute push from CIMB and MISC was due to investors who were on the hunt for good stocks, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd's retail research analyst Loui Low Ley Yee. "In a way, the last minute boost was also part of the bourse's 'window-dressing' activity, marking a nice end to August's subdued and sideways trade as investors digest the corporate earnings announcement, which are either in-line or disappoints," Low told theedgemarkets.com in a brief telephone conversation. At 5pm today, the FBM KLCI closed at 1,773.16 points, from a previous close of 1,761.14 points on Tuesday. Some 1.83 billion shares, worth RM2.21 billion, were traded at the local bourse today, with gainers outpacing decliners at 449 counters versus 346 counters, while...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 29): The FBM KLCI struggled to remain above the 1,770 level today amid selling pressure, and an analyst said the benchmark index may see further declines moving forward. The KLCI closed the day 8.35 points or 0.47% lower at 1,761.14. TA Securities Holdings Bhd senior technical analyst Stephen Soo said the KLCI could come down further, to even hit April's low of 1,729 points, but sees this as a "blessing in disguise" for non-blue chips. "The FBM KLCI evidently struggles to remain above the 1,770 level and it is evident that selling pressures are still there with trading volume being thin today. I believe the index could go down to July's low of 1,750 points or lower to April's low," Soo told theedgemarkets.com. "But I see this is a blessing in disguise. When the index falls low, it becomes more attractive for the smaller players to come in at a time when the bigger counters, particularly in the banking secto...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 28): The FBM KLCI inched up 0.32 points or 0.02% to settle at 1,769.49 today, on the back of last minute buying of selective index heavyweights, which sent the KLCI marginally higher. Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong said the benchmark index was in a tight range today, after being dragged by the refinery sector earlier in the day, like Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd and Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd. Consumer products also weighed on the index, such as Ajinomoto (M) Bhd and Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd. "There was last minute buying from investors on selective index heavyweights, which sent the KLCI marginally higher in the last minutes before trading ended," he said. Among them were Westports Holdings Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, and Malayan Banking Bhd. Nevertheless, he said the KLCI remained sluggish in the final hour of trading, despite hovering in the positive territory, due mainly to pr...

Invest at the bottom of the market and sell at the top. That’s solid advice, but it’s not easy to follow. Consider the stock market right now, for example. Is this the top of the market? Is it time to sell? With the American stock market already up more than 300 percent since March 2009, including dividends, these are pertinent questions. Several readers asked them in response to last week’s column, which pointed out that wherever the market goes next, it is definitely not at the bottom now. After years of spectacular gains, stocks are anything but cheap. What’s more, the market has been so placid this year — despite the turmoil emanating from Washington — that the calm on Wall Street has been almost supernatural. By some measures, stocks haven’t been this steady in more than 50 years. Furthermore, the economic expansion now underway is already the third longest since 1854. It takes little imagination to envision a sudden rout. Those observations unnerved some readers who aske...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 25): The FBM KLCI fell 6.33 points or 0.4% as index-linked Genting Bhd, Genting Malaysia Bhd and Sime Darby Bhd shares declined. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,769.17 points. Genting Bhd and Genting Malaysia shares dropped on news Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua, widow of Genting Group's late founder Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, passed away this morning. She was 88. Sime Darby shares fell after the group said net profit fell to RM571 million in the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2017 (4QFY17), from RM1.23 billion a year earlier. Full-year net profit rose to RM2.44 billion, from RM2.42 billion a year earlier. At 5pm, Genting Malaysia shares declined 23 sen to RM5.82, to become Bursa Malaysia's fourth-largest decliner. Genting Bhd shares closed four sen lower at RM9.75, after falling to their intraday low at 9.62. Sime Darby shares fell 10 sen to RM9.13. Across Bursa Malaysia, two billion shares exchanged hands for RM1.94 billion. A total of 313 count...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 24): The FBM KLCI rose 2.56 points or 0.1% on late buying of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and IOI Corp Bhd shares. CIMB and IOI Corp helped the KLCI erase losses at the 11th hour. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,775.50 points after falling to its intraday low at 1,768.52 points. IOI Corp rose 14 sen to RM4.59 to become Bursa Malaysia's sixth-largest gainer. “Crude palm oil has been on a rally recently, and this — coupled with the fact that IOI Corp has yet to announce the latest quarterly report, may add to the positive sentiment,” Maybank Investment Bank Bhd chartist Nik Ihsan Raja Abdullah told theedgemarkets.com. CIMB shares fell two sen to RM6.72 after falling to its intraday low at RM6.51 ahead of the financial services entity's second quarter results announcement this Monday. Across Bursa Malaysia today, 2.13 billion shares worth RM1.98 billion changed hands. A total of 425 counters ended higher versus 356 decliners. APFT Bhd w...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 23): The FBM KLCI fell 1.28 points or 0.1% as index-linked AMMB Holdings Bhd and RHB Bank Bhd took centre stage in Malaysian share trades. Financial services entities AMMB and RHB were in the spotlight after both banks called off their proposed merger. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,772.94 points as investors took profit from AMMB shares' intraday gains. At 5pm, AMMB shares fell 11 sen to close at RM4.59 after rising to its intraday high at RM4.89. RHB shares rose 19 sen to close at RM5.07 to become Bursa Malaysia's fifth-largest gainer. Across Bursa Malaysia, two billion shares were traded for RM1.97 billion. A total of 419 counters declined compared to 384 gainers. Among the KLCI's 30 constituents, AMMB was the top decliner while RHB was the top gainer. "Without the merger, we are back to eight anchor banking groups with RHB ranking fourth by total assets and AMMB, sixth. We believe both banks will shift their focus ba...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 22): The FBM KLCI closed 2.6 points or 0.1% higher on bargain hunting and as the market reacted to Malaysia's ongoing corporate financial-reporting season. At 5pm, the KLCI settled at 1,774.22 points. Investors bargain hunted for local shares after the index fell 4.6 points to 1,771.62 points yesterday. Today, Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd research head Pong Teng Siew told theedgemarkets.com : “Overall market sentiment is still mixed, but the [KLCI] likely recouped its losses from yesterday due to its reaction to the earnings season.” Malaysia's April-June quarter corporate financial-reporting season starts in July, although most companies report their earnings in August. Today, Bursa Malaysia saw 392 gainers compared with 364 decliners. A total of 1.77 billion shares valued at RM1.89 billion were traded. Top gainer was KESM Industries Bhd while Mlabs Systems Bhd was the top-active counter. Pong said penny stocks' p...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 21): The FBM KLCI dipped 4.6 points or 0.3% to close at its intraday low on late selling of Westports Holdings Bhd shares and as investors remained concerned about President Donald Trump's ability to push through his growth-focused economic agenda. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,771.62 points. KLCI-linked Westports shares fell 13 sen to RM3.62 to become Bursa Malaysia's fifth-largest decliner. “It’s clear that the better than expected growth in (Malaysia's) gross domestic product (GDP announced) last Friday is not really helping as (share) trade is mostly cautious,” TA Securities Holdings Bhd technical analyst Stephen Soo said. Soo said worries that Trump would fail to push through his growth-focused economic agenda had overridden Malaysia's economic growth figures. Across Bursa Malaysia, decliners outpaced gainers at 418 to 366 respectively. A total of 1.68 billion shares were traded for RM1.78 billion. Malaysian shar...

FBM KLCI: 1,776.22 pts (-0.09pts, -0.01%) The FBM KLCI (-0.01%) ended marginally lower after key index recouped most of its intraday losses amid the stronger-than-expected 2Q2017 GDP data that grew 5.8% Y.o.Y. Market breadth was negative with 357 winners compared to 472 losers, while 374 stocks closed flattish. Construction stocks like Econpile (+11.0 sen), Crest Builder (+8.0 sen) and Sunway Construction (+3.0 sen) continue to outperform its peers. Top 3 Active stocks: UMWOG (5243): RM0.33 (+2.0 sen) MTOUCHE (0092): RM0.275 (-2.5 sen) JAG (0024): RM0.145 (unch) Volume: 1.45 bln (100-day avg vol: 2.54 bln) Value: RM1.58 bln Market Breadth: ⬆️:357 ⬇️:472 Crude palm oil: RM2,679 (+RM21) Dow Futures: 21,711 pts (-22 pts) Source: Bloomberg, M+ Online

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 18): The FBM KLCI cut losses to close 0.09 point lower at 1,776.22 points after the market gave a last minute push to index-linked Petronas Gas Bhd and Westports Holdings Bhd shares. The KLCI had earlier dropped to its intraday low at 1,770.04 points on weak global sentiment following substantial overnight US share losses. Reuters reported that US stocks sold off on Thursday, with the S&P 500 recording its biggest daily percentage drop in three months as escalating worries about US President Donald Trump's administration's ability to push through its economic agenda rattled investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended down 274.14 points, or 1.24 percent, to 21,750.73, the S&P 500 lost 38.1 points, or 1.54 percent, to 2,430.01 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 123.20 points, or 1.94 percent, to 6,221.91. Today, Malaysian shares fell with Asian equities on the Trump sentiment. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.18% while Hong ...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 17): The FBM KLCI rose 2.56 points or 0.1% on positive market sentiment amid ebbing US-North Korea geopolitical tensions and as declining US interest rate hike expectation supported Asian markets. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,776.31 points after index-linked Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd (HLFG) shares posted sharp gains in the final trading minutes. HLFG rose eight sen to RM17.02. Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd research head Pong Teng Siew said although the KLCI registered modest gains,"the positive local market sentiment showed signs of catching up with regional markets elsewhere in the region". Across Bursa Malaysia, gainers outstripped decliners at 461 against 315 respectively. A total of 1.8 billion shares worth RM1.88 billion were traded. Top gainers included Hengyuan Refining Co Bhd and Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd. Malaysian shares rose ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia's announcement tomorrow on the country's...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 16): The FBM KLCI rose 1.36 points or 0.1% as the geopolitical tension between the US and North Korea receded. The KLCI erased losses after falling with index-linked plantation shares. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,773.75 points after falling to its intraday low at 1,771.6 points. “The market today is quite flat, no local catalysts in sight except for more corporate results coming in [within these two weeks]...also markets seem to have calmed down from the US and North Korea tensions earlier,” JF Apex Securities Bhd senior analyst Lee Cherng Wee told theedgemarkets.com. Reuters reported that the dollar hoarded hefty gains on Wednesday after strong US retail sales revived the chance of another Federal Reserve rate hike this year, while Asia stocks inched ahead as tensions in the Korean peninsula went off the boil. It was reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has delayed a decision to fire missiles towards Guam while he wait...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 15): The FBM KLCI rose 1.31 points or 0.1% after North Korea indicated it would postpone plans to launch a missile near US territory Guam. Asian shares gained after US equities rose overnight on the news. At Bursa Malaysia, the KLCI closed at 1,772.39 points at 5pm after falling to its intraday low at 1,768.76 points. As US-North Korea geopolitical tension ebbs, analysts said investors in Malaysia had also noted Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd share gains. “Some heavyweight counters, particularly Lotte, had also lifted market sentiment,” Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd retail research head Loui Low Ley Yee told theedgemarkets.com. Lotte Chemical Titan shares rose 42 sen to close at RM5.12 to become Bursa Malaysia's third-largest gainer. Across Bursa Malaysia, gainers outpaced decliners 480 to 306 respectively. The bourse saw a volume of 1.8 billion shares valued at RM1.795 billion traded. Across Asian share markets, Japan’s Nikkei...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 14): The FBM KLCI rose 4.12 points or 0.2% on bargain hunting and as Asian shares climbed with US stock futures. Global shares gained today following US equities' advance last Friday. At 5pm today, the KLCI closed at 1,771.08 points. Across Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.36% while South Korea's Kospi climbed 0.63%. "The KLCI has rebounded after the decline in the past few days, led by technology stocks and industrial stocks. This has been partly due to the weakness of the ringgit, which is perceived to be positive for stocks in these sectors," Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd research head Pong Teng Siew told theedgemarkets.com Last Friday, the KLCI fell 10.81 points to close at 1,766.96 points. Reuters reported that the three major US stocks indexes ended higher on Friday, snapping three days of losses, as investors bet on slower US rate hikes, but gains were muted by increasingly aggressive exchanges between t...

Why it makes sense to invest in RGB International? RGB International deserves to be in the watch list for our investment after it has shown a strong turnaround story in 2008. In 2008, the government in Cambodia has ordered all slot machines at entertainment clubs to be removed, resulting in the reduced in profit margins. The regulatory requirement at that time require slot clubs to be located in approved hotels. Under the current management, revenue has grown by more than two times in its financial results 2016 to RM253.5 million from RM118.2 million in 2011. The net profit for the Group has also recovered from its losses in 2011. Compared to 2012 when it first turned black, the net profit has grown by more than 300% to RM25.3 million from RM6.0 million. TSM segment – the recurring income segment is key I think what is important is how RGB has managed to tap into recurring income through its Technical Support and Management (TSM) segment, tha...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 11): The FBM KLCI closed 10.81 points or 0.62% lower, in line with regional peers, amid reports of continued tensions between North Korea and the US. At 5.01pm, the KLCI was down at 1,766.96 points. Across Asia, South Korea's Kospi was down 1.69% at 2,319.71 points and Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 2.04% to 26,883.51 points. Inter Pacific Securities research head Pong Teng Siew told theedgemarkets.com that the market has previously been ignoring the building tension between North Korea and the US, despite talks of a potential nuclear war. "The market has finally woken up to the threat of a possible nuclear war, hence the drop in performance today, as it finally realises the weight of the tensions between [the two countries]," he said. He added that speculation of the potential war has affected South Korea's Samsung Electronics, the world's largest semiconductor player, and that the situation has had knock-on effect...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 10): The FBM KLCI closed 0.17 point lower at 1,777.77 points as the US-North Korea geopolitical tension and speculation on Malaysia's 14th General Election's (GE14) timing turned investors cautious. The cautious sentiment was apparent across Bursa Malaysia where decliners significantly outpaced gainers at 585 to 248 respectively. The bourse saw a volume of 1.35 billion shares valued at RM1.5 billion. “Investors could also be waiting for the release of upcoming financial results before making decisions,” Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd retail research head Loui Low said. He said the trade volume across Bursa Malaysia at 1.35 billion shares today was "quite thin" as Malaysia's GE14 theme took centre stage in local markets. The nation held its GE13 on May 5, 2013. Today, cautious sentiment was reflected across Asia as stocks fell on the US-North Korea geopolitical tension. Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 0.05%, South Kor...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 9): The FBM KLCI declined 3.71 points or 0.2% as the US-North Korea geopolitical tension rattled Asian share markets. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,777.94 points. Across Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.29%, South Korea's Kospi fell 1.1%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.35%. In Malaysia, Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong told theedgemarkets.com: “Today’s weakness is mainly due to profit-taking, as well as the rising geopolitical tension recently seen between the US and North Korea, which in turn impacted investor sentiment, locally and regionally, today.” Across Bursa Malaysia, 1.42 billion shares valued at RM1.74 billion exchanged hands. Decliners outpaced gainers at 414 against 315 respectively, as global investors followed news on the US-North Korea geopolitical tension. Reuters reported Asian shares and U.S. stock futures slipped on Wednesday and investors sought havens such as U.S. Treasuries, gol...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 8): The FBM KLCI rose 3.74 points or 0.2% as gains in big capitalisation stocks like Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) supported the local share market. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,781.65 points. Maybank shares added 10 sen to RM9.80 to become Bursa Malaysia's sixth-largest gainer and 10th most-active stock. “(On the KLCI) institutional investors are still buying in, despite the much lower volume this week. The fundamentals are still strong, investors are just avoiding overvalued counters at the moment,” an analyst told theedgemarkets.com. The analyst said investors might be switching to safe havens from small and mid-capitalisation companies, as investors digested the news on 1Malaysia Development Bhd's financials. Across Bursa Malaysia, 2.09 billion shares valued at RM2.26 billion changed hands. Decliners outpaced gainers at 541 against 280 respectively. The KLCI erased losses after falling on news China's July export and imp...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 4): The FBM KLCI rose 2.63 points or 0.1% mainly on  index-linked Hong Leong Bank Bhd and Public Bank Bhd shares' 11th-hour spike and as investors waited for the US employment report. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,774.53 points. Hong Leong Bank shares rose 34 sen to RM16 while Public Bank added 16 sen to RM20.76. Hong Leong Bank and Public Bank were Bursa Malaysia's third and ninth largest gainers respectively. The KLCI had also risen on Petronas Gas Bhd share gains. Despite the KLCI's gain, Bursa Malaysia decliners outnumbered gainers at 397 to 361 respectively. Bursa Malaysia's trading volume stood at 1.42 billion shares worth RM1.47 billion ringgit. “On the broader market, sentiment is still weak as investors continue to book profits from the rally in the stock market which was seen since December,” Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd analyst Kenneth Leong  told theedgemarkets. "Investors are also anticipating positive US employ...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 3): The FBM KLCI rose 1.29 points or 0.1% after volatile trade mainly on late buying of index-linked Petronas Dagangan Bhd shares. The KLCI rose as Asian shares fell. At Bursa Malaysia, the KLCI closed at 1,771.90 points after reaching its intraday high and low at 1,772.59 and 1,768.05 points respectively. Petronas Dagangan shares climbed 28 sen to RM24.02 to become Bursa Malaysia's second-largest gainer. Across Bursa Malaysia, 1.75 billion shares valued at RM1.746 billion were traded. There were 429 decliners and 336 gainers. “The increased buying support in the local telco heavyweights, positive sentiment on Wall Street as well as the increase in crude oil prices also contributed to the index’s (KLCI) performance today,” Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd analyst Kenneth Leong told theedgemarkets.com Asian shares declined. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.25%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.28% while South Korea’s Kospi closed 1.68% lower. ...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 3): The FBM KLCI rose 1.29 points or 0.1% after volatile trade mainly on late buying of index-linked Petronas Dagangan Bhd shares. The KLCI rose as Asian shares fell. At Bursa Malaysia, the KLCI closed at 1,771.90 points after reaching its intraday high and low at 1,772.59 and 1,768.05 points respectively. Petronas Dagangan shares climbed 28 sen to RM24.02 to become Bursa Malaysia's second-largest gainer. Across Bursa Malaysia, 1.75 billion shares valued at RM1.746 billion were traded. There were 429 decliners and 336 gainers. “The increased buying support in the local telco heavyweights, positive sentiment on Wall Street as well as the increase in crude oil prices also contributed to the index’s (KLCI) performance today,” Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd analyst Kenneth Leong told theedgemarkets.com Asian shares declined. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.25%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.28% while South Korea’s Kospi closed 1.68% lower. ...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 2): The FBM KLCI rose 5.48 points or 0.3% on bargain hunting in index-linked plantations stocks Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) and PPB Group Bhd. Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd's share rise could have also improved broader market sentiment. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,770.61 points. KLK and PPB rose 12 sen each to RM24.72 and RM16.90 respectively. Lotte Chemical Titan rose 14 sen to RM4.42 to become Bursa Malaysia's 10th most-active stock. Lotte Chemical Titan shares had declined in recent days after the company said net profit dropped to RM113.62 million in the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 (2QFY17)from RM404.03 million a year earlier. Today, TA Securities Holdings Bhd senior technical analyst Stephen Soo told theedgemarkets.com that the KLCI rose mainly due to buying interest in selected heavyweight plantation stocks such as KLK and PPB. “[However], generally the trend is still cautious. The broader market is still in profit...

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 1): The FBM KLCI rose 5.1 points or 0.3% with Asian shares as investors bargain hunted for index-linked Public Bank Bhd and Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) shares. At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,765.13 points while Public Bank rose 32 sen to RM20.60 to become Bursa Malaysia's fourth-largest gainer. Maybank added 11 sen to RM9.65. Across Bursa Malaysia, 1.82 billion shares worth RM2.24 billion were traded. There were 503 decliners compared with 271 gainers. Actively-traded stocks included Frontken Corp Bhd and ManagePay Systems Bhd. Analysts said overall market sentiment was still negative as the number of declining stocks on Bursa Malaysia outnumbered gainers. “There is an improvement on the composite index today. However underlying overall sentiment is still negative as there are twice as many [decliners] than gainers today,” Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd research head Pong Teng Siew told theedgemarkets.com Asian shares rose. Japan...