MONEY MASTER

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 31): No reprieve was seen on the local bourse today as the FBM KLCI recorded losses for the ninth consecutive day as fears deepened across the world after the World Health Organisation declared a global health emergency as the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak's death toll passed the 200-mark, while infection rates surpassed SARS'. Though the benchmark index started the day with a little rebound and rose to as high as 1,552.46 — up 0.44% from the previous day's close of 1,545.59 — it struggled to maintain the momentum. At 5pm, it closed 14.53 points 0.94% lower at 1,531.06 — its lowest in more than five years. Turnover was high at 3.79 billion shares worth RM3.29 billion, with 834 losers versus 150 gainers. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd research vice president Vincent Lau, who described the market as "a sea of red" today, said investors remained cautious. TA Securities, meanwhile, said in a note today that “increased worries over...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 30): The FBM KLCI ended 4.88 points or 0.31% lower at 1,545.59, marking the benchmark index’s eighth daily loss, as sentiment across the region remained tepid on growing coronavirus fears. The broader market was also generally in the red save for the consumer products, REIT and transportation & logistics indices. The stock market saw a turnover of 2.81 billion shares for RM2.32 billion, with losers dominating. Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd said the KLCI remains downbeat as investors continue to be cautious on the economic impact from the virus outbreak. “Gains on Wall Street are also lacklustre as markets are still on the move to find stability,” the firm said in a note to clients today. Dragging the KLCI down today were Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (down 1.98% or 13 sen to RM6.45), Petronas Gas Bhd (down 1.84% or 30 sen to RM16) and Digi.com Bhd (down 1.81% or eight sen to RM4.33). The World Health Organisation will decide later to...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): The FBM KLCI ended 1.17 points or 0.08% lower at 1,550.47 as regional markets rebounded slightly after a steep selloff, though concerns on the economic impact of the Wuhan virus continued to weigh on investors. While the benchmark index closed in negative territory, the broader market saw a recovery except for glove makers and healthcare stocks which took a breather after yesterday’s rally. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd research vice president Vincent Lau told theedgemarkets.com trading was quite mixed as investors reacted to recent announcements related to the virus. “The slight dip in the KLCI is probably due to some bargain hunting as investors took opportunity on lower prices. Investors continued to take caution but I believe the impact to the stock market will not be as severe as we think. Even the Dow Jones has recovered overnight (up 0.66% to 28,722.85),” Lau said. The death toll from the virus outbreak rose sharply to 132 with nea...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 28): The FBM KLCI dropped 21.17 points or 1.35% today, mirroring the downtrend in regional stock markets as investor sentiment was hit by concerns over the impact of the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. The benchmark index closed the day at 1,551.64, with declining stocks topping gainers by 733 to 158 in the broader market. A total of 3.36 billion shares were traded for a total value of RM2.89 billion. MIDF Research’s head of research Mohd Redza Abdul Rahman said concerns over the spread of the virus will result in an overreaction in markets, causing shares to retreat at a faster rate than they should. However, he said it is too early to panic, noting that China has taken various actions to contain the spread of the virus. “[On the plus side], this presents an opportunity for shrewd investors to look for bargains,” he told theedgemarkets.com. The KLCI’s decline was led by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (down 46 sen or 6.73% t...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24): The FBM KLCI closed lower today as coronavirus concerns weigh on regional and global markets. The local benchmark index closed at 1,572.81 points, down 0.1% or 1.63 points. The index was weighed down by Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd and Genting Malaysia Bhd. Trading at Bursa Malaysia was limited to the morning session today in conjunction with the Chinese New Year holidays. Across Bursa, some 1.59 billion shares worth RM1.27 billion were traded. A total of 337 counters saw gains, 378 counters posted declines and 383 counters went unchanged. Top actives included Impiana Hotels Bhd, DGB Asia Bhd and Supermax Corp Bhd — with the top gainers being Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd and G3 Global Bhd. Top losers included Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd and Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd. Reuters reported today that concerns over the coronavirus have ...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 23): The FBM KLCI closed down 3.54 points or 0.22% today at 1,574.44 in line with weakness across global equities as China’s coronavirus outbreak hit sentiment ahead of the Chinese New Year holidays. Malaysian shares also took cue from Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) overnight policy rate (OPR) cut to 2.75% from 3% yesterday. Today, analysts said the OPR cut is negative for banks but positive for real estate investment trusts (REIT). China's Wuhan city is the epicentre of the new coronavirus outbreak. Reuters reported today that authorities in Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak that has killed 17 and infected nearly 600 people, shut urban transport networks and suspended outgoing flights. It was reported that the outbreak posed bigger downside risks in China's sequential economic growth, as consumption and the service sector is a bigger part of the economy. "Airline shares continued to weaken, with Air China, Ch...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): The FBM KLCI continued its downward trend since Monday, closing down 9.35 points or 0.59% at 1,577.98 points today, largely due to banking stocks being hit as a result of the overnight policy rate (OPR) cut. "The banking stocks are the ones bringing the KLCI down today. Other than that, the local stock market is doing pretty well today," Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd research vice president Vincent Lau told theedgemarkets.com . The banking stock components of the KLCI that were impacted by the announcement include Hong Leong Bank Bhd (-3.56%), Public Bank Bhd (-2.36%), CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (-1.95%), Malayan Banking Bhd (-0.58%), and AMMB Holdings Bhd (0.52%). These stocks noticeably took a dip after Bank Negara Malaysia announced at around 3pm that the OPR has been reduced by 25 basis points to 2.75%. Only RHB Bank Bhd was neutral to the announcement as it closed unchanged. Across Bursa Malaysia, a total of 3.07 b...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): The FBM KLCI closed down 1.55 points or 0.1% at 1,587.33 today after volatile trade while Bursa Malaysia's healthcare index jumped as a global outbreak of a pneumonia-causing virus, which started in China weigh on global markets. At Bursa, the healthcare index, which tracks shares of rubber glove and pharmaceutical product manufacturers besides hospital operators, jumped 47.39 points or 3.73% to 1,318.95 against such sentiment. “At this point, from what we can see, the concerns over the escalation of the current viral outbreak in China have weighed on the KLCI. The only real gainers were healthcare and glove makers,” Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd research vice president Vincent Lau told theedgemarkets.com. Reuters reported that China reported a fourth death from a new coronavirus on Tuesday as the number of cases continued to rise, sending jitters through Asian markets as hundreds of millions of Chinese prepared to travel for the Lunar N...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): The FBM KLCI closed 6.93 points or 0.43% lower today at 1,588.88 on profit-taking, while Bursa Malaysia technology stocks rose among top gainers, on expectation these companies will report earnings growth. At 5pm today, the KLCI closed down at 1,588.88 points on profit-taking, after the index rose 7.93 points or 0.5% on Friday (Jan 17). Today, the KLCI ended lower, led by Petronas Dagangan Bhd, followed by Axiata Group Bhd and Maxis Bhd. Across Bursa Malaysia, investors chased technology stocks including semiconductor-related KESM Industries Bhd and ViTrox Corp Bhd. KESM closed up 50 sen or 4.85% at RM10.80 to become Bursa's top gainer. Speaking to theedgemarkets.com, Areca Capital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Danny Wong Teck Meng said technology stocks made strides today, on expectation these companies will announce earnings growth during Malaysia's corporate financial reporting season for the October-to-December quarte...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 17): The FBM KLCI closed in the positive territory today, as investor sentiment globally was buoyed after the release of Chinese growth data which suggest improvements in Chinese business confidence, amid the easing of US-China trade tensions. The benchmark index settled 7.93 points or 0.5% higher at 1,595.81 at the end of trading hours, with 2.84 billion shares traded for RM2.26 billion. The rise was supported by Petronas Dagangan Bhd, which rose RM1.34 or 5.97% to close at RM23.80; Axiata Group Bhd, which climbed 24 sen or 5.5% to RM4.60; and Sime Darby Bhd, which gained four sen or 1.8% to RM2.26. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd research vice president Vincent Lau said the signing of the US-China trade agreement and the recent easing of tensions in the Middle East have eased sentiments globally, which has reflected positively on Asian shares. "Yes, the Chinese data also boosted sentiment, which should support growth for the KLCI given th...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 16): The FBM KLCI closed 2.74 points or 0.17% higher today after erasing losses in the final trading hour, partly helped by Axiata Group Bhd and Digi.Com Bhd's share price spike and as world markets cheered the US-China phase one trade deal. At 5pm, the KLCI closed higher at 1,587.88 after falling to its intraday low at 1,575.77. Axiata ended 20 sen or 4.81% higher at RM4.36 while Digi.Com rose three sen or 0.67% to RM4.54. Malaysia telecommunication stocks' price rise could be due to news today that Credit Suisse had upgraded the sector to market weight from underweight. Bloomberg quoted Credit Suisse analyst Danny Chan as writing in a note that Credit Suisse upgraded Axiata shares to outperform from neutral. Globally, the US-China phase one trade deal that was signed on Wednesday led to share market optimism today. In Malaysia, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd research vice president Vincent Lau said the KLCI had today tracked overnight...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): The benchmark FBM KLCI, which has been languishing in the red earlier today, pared losses at the eleventh hour of trading to close in positive territory. At 5pm, the benchmark index settled 4.54 points or 0.29% higher at 1,585.14, after a total of 2.54 billion shares worth RM1.68 billion were traded. According to Areca Capital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Danny Wong Teck Meng, investors are cautious as they await more news on the upcoming signing of the initial or phase one trade deal between the US and China, which is expected to happen later this evening. The agreement, which aims to vastly increase Chinese purchases of US manufactured products, agricultural goods, energy and services, will cap 18 months of tariff conflict between the two largest economies in the world, which has roiled financial markets globally and slowed global growth. "Overall, investors are waiting for new catalysts. And given that the Chinese New Y...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): The FBM KLCI closed 4.13 points or 0.26% lower at 1,580.60 on profit taking and as Bursa Malaysia plantation shares tracked lower crude palm oil (CPO) prices, amid news on Malaysia and India's row on the commodity. Analysts said news that Malaysia remains as one of the countries under the US watchlist for potential currency manipulation, could have also weighed on the KLCI. It was reported that Switzerland was added to the monitoring list, while countries including Japan, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam remained. At Bursa Malaysia today, the KLCI closed down at 1,580.60 at 5pm on profit taking, after rising to its intraday high at 1,587.47. At 5pm, top decliners included Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd and Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, besides Hong Leong Bank Bhd and Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd. Bursa's plantation index ended down 74.42 points or 0.97% at 7,602.32, amid lower CPO prices. CPO for March 2020 fel...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 13): The FBM KLCI fell 6.73 points or 0.42% to 1584.73 today, as investors remained cautious on external developments and continued to participate in profit-taking activities. The benchmark index was amongst the few trading negatively around the region, as the rest closed in green territory on optimism ahead of the signing of the Phase 1 trade deal between the United States and China this week. Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd head of retail research Loui Low said profit-taking is likely to continue, ahead of the Chinese New Year holidays. “On the other hand, despite investors taking profit in the big cap companies, the technology index remained in positive territory, closing 1.36% higher,” he told theedgemarkets.com. Loui noted this is in tandem with the performance of technology counters in China, which rose higher today on optimism of the trade deal. Dragging the KLCI lower were Hong Leong Bank Bhd which closed 2.05% lower to RM17.2...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 10): The FBM KLCI closed 4.19 points or 0.26% lower today at 1,591.46 on profit taking while the technology index rose the most among Bursa Malaysia indices. Bursa's technology index, which tracks semiconductor-related companies' shares, closed up 0.4 point or 1.04% at 39.03 as US-China trade optimism and apparent de-escalation of US-Iran tension led to anticipation of growth in the global technology industry. Overall sentiment, however, stayed cautious as there were no indications on how the US-Iran tension would further develop, analysts said. According to Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd head of retail research Loui Low, the KLCI fell today on profit taking as the broader market saw investors adopting a conservative approach. “Looking at all this, it may be good to trade on conservative factors such as REITs, utilities and high dividend yield stocks,” said Low.    Across Bursa today, 2.74 billion shares worth RM1.6 billion were...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 9): The FBM KLCI ended up 6.55 points or 0.41% today at 1,595.65 with Asian shares as fears over a further escalation in Iran-US hostility subsided. Reuters reported that US President Donald Trump responded to an Iranian attack on US forces with sanctions, not violence. It was reported that Iran offered no immediate signal it would retaliate further over a Jan 3 US strike that killed a senior military commander. In Malaysia today, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd research vice president Vincent Lau told theedgemarkets.com the temporary de-escalation in the tension between the US and Iran in the Middle East contributed to more positive investor sentiment. "The cool-down in US-Iran tensions contributed to today's (KLCI) rise, which was in line with key regional markets," said Lau.    Across Bursa Malaysia, 2.83 billion shares worth RM1.89 billion were traded today. A total of 601 counters gained versus 254 decliners. Top gainers inclu...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 8): The FBM KLCI dropped 21.94 points or 1.36% today along with global equities after Iran fired missiles at US military bases in Iraq in retaliation to the US air strike, which killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani on Friday. At 5pm today, the KLCI closed down at 1,589.1 after broad-based selling across Bursa Malaysia, where volume ended higher at 3.86 billion shares. The small-cap index finished down 310.01 points or 2.18% at 13,882.4. "The local market was impacted by the strike from Iran [against the US]. That's the main reason for the market-wide sell down today," Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd head of research Kenny Yee told theedgemarkets.com. Across Bursa today, 3.86 billion shares worth RM2.23 billion were traded. Yesterday 2.99 billion shares worth RM1.8 billion were transacted. Today, 161 counters gained against 795 decliners across Bursa. Top decliners included Nestlé (M) Bhd, PPB Group Bhd and Hong Leong Financ...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): The FBM KLCI gained 13.28 points or 0.83% to close at 1,611.04 today, as the apparent easing of the Middle East geopolitical tension following the US' air strike in Iraq, supported global shares' rise. Crude oil prices however fell, amid apparent easing of the geopolitical tension. According to Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd research vice president Vincent Lau, the KLCI's gain today was on account of investors tempering their expectations that the US' drone strike which killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani on Friday, will become a full-blown war. Reuters reported Asian shares rebounded on Tuesday, as investors' reassessed the risk of an all-out conflict between the US and Iran, while Wall Street battled back to the black, as tech stocks climbed. It was reported that oil surrendered hefty gains, as some speculated Iran would be unlikely to strike against the US in a way that would disrupt supplies, and its own cru...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 6): The FBM KLCI fell 13.62 points or 0.85% to close at 1,597.76 today, as the US' recent air strike in Iraq dented global equity investor sentiment. Prices of commodities including gold and crude oil however, rose again amid such heightened Middle East geopolitical tension. At Bursa Malaysia today, the KLCI closed down at 1,597.76 at 5pm, after broad-based selling across Bursa Malaysia where the energy and REIT indices were the only gainers among the bourse's indices. Amidst other decliners, the FBM Small Cap index closed down 120.04 points or 0.84% at 14,158.27. The energy index, which tracks oil and gas-related shares, ended up 27.13 points or 2.15% at 1,291.25, after crude oil prices rose past US$70 a barrel, amid heightened Middle East geopolitical tension. The energy index rose to its record high earlier today at 1,300.83 since its inception in September 2018. Today, Areca Capital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Danny Wong T...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 3): The FBM KLCI closed 8.88 points or 0.55% higher today at 1,611.38, amid higher crude oil prices and after US shares ended at record highs in overnight trades. Today, Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong told theedgemarkets.com that the "KLCI's gain was mainly attributed to Petronas-linked counters, as oil prices surged." Reuters reported Brent crude futures jumped nearly US$3 on Friday to their highest since September, after a US air strike killed key Iranian and Iraqi military personnel, raising concerns escalating Middle East tensions may disrupt oil supplies. It was reported that Brent, the international benchmark, hit an intraday high of US$69.16 a barrel, its highest since Sept. 17, before easing to US$68.21, up US$1.96, or 3%, by 0618 GMT. Across Bursa Malaysia, 3.58 billion shares worth RM2.36 billion were traded. Gainers led decliners by 492 to 447 respectively. Top gainers included Carlsb...

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 2): The FBM KLCI closed up 13.74 points or 0.86% today while the ringgit strengthened as investors anticipated a US-China trade deal and after China eased monetary policy to support its economy. Across Bursa Malaysia, 3.36 billion shares worth RM1.86 billion were traded at 5pm. Gainers led decliners by 614 to 308 respectively. Malaysian markets resumed trading today after markets were closed yesterday (Jan 1) for the New Year holiday. Among the KLCI's 30 component stocks today, Public Bank Bhd was the biggest percentage gainer after the stock closed up 46 sen or 2.37% at RM19.90 followed by Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, which ended 10 sen or 2.15% higher at RM4.75.    The KLCI closed up at 1,602.50 today after falling 26.91 points or 1.67% on Tuesday (Dec 31) to 1,588.76. Today, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd head of research Kenny Yee said the KLCI's rise was expected, given that selling was overdone on Tuesday. Yee told theedg...