MONEY MASTER

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 29): Bursa Malaysia finished at its intra-day high for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, lifted by late buying in selected financial services as well as industrial products and services counters amid concerns over the local and global economic outlook, dealers said. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) added 0.83 of-a-point or 0.05% to 1,547.65 from Tuesday’s close of 1,546.82.  The index, which opened 4.86 points lower at 1,541.96, moved as low as 1,528.69 during the day. Meanwhile, market breadth was negative with decliners surpassing gainers 581 to 398, while 455 counters were unchanged, 870 untraded and 85 others suspended. Turnover declined to 3.67 billion units worth RM2.71 billion from Tuesday’s 5.45 billion units worth RM3.29 million. A dealer said investors’ sentiment turned cautious on Wednesday over the World Bank’s move to revise Malaysia’s 2021 economic growth projection downwards to 3.3% from the 4.5%...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 28): Continuous buying in selected industrial products and services as well as healthcare counters lifted Bursa Malaysia to close at its intraday high on Tuesday, with more investors becoming more confident over the bullish domestic economic outlook, dealers said. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) jumped 13.77 points or 0.9% to 1,546.82, from Monday’s close of 1,533.05.  The index, which opened 0.46 of-a-point higher at 1,533.51, moved to as low as 1,526.28 during the day. However, market breadth was negative with decliners surpassing gainers 594 to 463, while 409 counters were unchanged, 837 untraded and 24 others suspended. Turnover advanced to 5.45 billion units worth RM3.29 billion from Monday’s 4.38 billion units worth RM2.98 billion. A dealer said the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) 2021-2025 tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in the Parliament on Monday seemed to have provided some boost to invest...

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): Late buying in selected heavyweights lifted Bursa Malaysia out of negative territory to end slightly higher on Monday as investors digested the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) 2021-2025, dealers said. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 0.99 of-a-point or 0.06% to 1,533.05, from Friday’s close of 1,532.06.  The index, which opened 0.83 of-a-point higher at 1,532.89, moved in a tight range between 1,526.14 and 1,533.51 throughout the day. Market breadth however was negative with decliners outpacing gainers 587 to 424, while 439 counters were unchanged, 863 untraded and 16 others suspended. Turnover fell to 4.38 billion units worth RM2.98 billion from Friday’s 4.78 billion units worth RM3.34 billion. The 12MP roadmap, tabled in parliament by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Monday, among others, highlighted that the government's financial position is expected to improve in 2023 with the strengthening of...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24): Bursa Malaysia ended the week lower on lack of buying momentum.  At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 7.28 points, or 0.47%, to 1,532.06, from Thursday’s close of 1,539.34.  The index, which opened 3.06 points higher at 1,542.4, moved between 1,525.64 and 1,543.35 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative with decliners outpacing gainers 576 to 418, while 466 counters were unchanged, 852 untraded, and 15 others suspended. Turnover rose slightly to 4.78 billion units worth RM3.34 billion from Thursday’s 4.74 billion units worth RM3.54 billion. The weaker performance of the local bourse was also in line with most key regional markets amid the uncertainty surrounding the fate of debt-ridden China property developer Evergrande group. “We believe investors remained cautious after the global market sell-off earlier this week,” Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng told Bernama....

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 23): Bursa Malaysia’s key index ended broadly higher as investors took the opportunity to hunt for bargains today, said an analyst.  At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) jumped 10.32 points, or 0.67%, to 1,539.34, from Wednesday’s close of 1,529.02.    The index, which opened 3.31 points higher at 1,532.33, moved between 1,531.18 and 1,539.73 throughout the day. Market breadth was positive with gainers outpacing decliners 625 to 419, while 423 counters were unchanged, 835 untraded, and five others suspended. Turnover rose to 4.74 billion units worth RM3.54 billion from Wednesday’s 4.12 billion units worth RM3.16 billion.    Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng reckoned that the FBM KLCI continued to see some buying support from foreign funds. “Nonetheless, market undertone remains cautious; hence we expect the benchmark index to remain stuck in a narrow trading range. ...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 22): Bursa Malaysia’s key index ended easier in lacklustre trade due to weak market sentiment and a lack of buying catalyst as concerns persisted over Chinese property group Evergrande Group’s debt and its impact on global markets. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.42 points, or 0.09%, to 1,529.02, from Tuesday’s close of 1,530.44.   The index, which opened 5.81 points weaker at 1,524.63, moved between 1,520.71 and 1,529.79 throughout the day. However, market breadth was positive with gainers outpacing decliners 584 to 382, while 436 counters were unchanged, 870 untraded, and five others suspended. Turnover fell to 4.12 billion units worth RM3.16 billion from Tuesday’s 4.72 billion units worth RM2.86 billion.  Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said investors were also cautious that the US Federal Reserve, which meets on Tuesday and Wednesday, would be confirming its plans...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 21): Bursa Malaysia’s key index ended slightly higher as bargain-hunting activities emerged after seven straight days of losses, lifted mainly by telco, gaming, and banking stocks. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 2.55 points, or 0.17%, to 1,530.44, from Monday’s close of 1,527.89.  The index, which opened 3.18 points weaker at 1,524.71, moved between 1,521.44 and 1,533.11 throughout the day. However, market breadth was negative with decliners outnumbering gainers 538 to 436, while 468 counters were unchanged, 830 untraded, and five others suspended. Turnover rose to 4.72 billion units worth RM2.86 billion from Monday’s 4.69 billion units worth RM2.9 billion.  Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said that comparatively, regional markets ended mixed as investors remained cautious due to China property company Evergrande’s debt crisis. “Moreover, uncertainty over the United ...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 20): Bursa Malaysia ended Monday in red for the seventh consecutive session despite foreign investors returning to the market, pushed down by the selling of selected heavyweight counters led by Sime Darby Plantation Bhd and Top Glove Corp Bhd.  At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) lost 20.62 points or 1.33% to 1,527.89 from Friday’s close of 1,548.51.  The index, which opened 0.89 of-a-point easier at 1,547.62, moved between 1,526.9 and 1,547.67 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative with decliners outnumbering gainers 951 to 194, while 359 counters were unchanged, 772 untraded, and nine others suspended. Turnover fell to 4.69 billion units worth RM2.9 billion from last Friday’s 5.13 billion units worth RM4.18 billion.  Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the performance of the local markets had been sluggish, further aggravated by news of potential windfall taxes a...

    KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 17): Bursa Malaysia ended the week in the red, dragged down by selling of selected heavyweight counters, led by Top Glove Corp Bhd and IOI Corp Bhd. At 5pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI closed 6.75 points lower at 1,548.51 from Wednesday’s close at 1,555.26. The index, which opened 1.09 points better at 1,556.35, moved between 1,543.08 and 1,556.74 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative with decliners leading gainers 620 to 470, while 412 counters were unchanged, 766 untraded and 10 others suspended. Turnover rose to 5.13 billion units worth RM4.18 billion from 4.5 billion units worth RM3.06 billion on Wednesday. Top Glove and IOI Corp dragged the composite index down by 3.645 points after both shed 14 sen each to RM3.06 and RM3.77 respectively. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the KLCI ended lower for the six...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 15): Bursa Malaysia ended flat after a roller-coaster trading session, losing marginally by 0.016% with losers led by Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd, said Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 0.25 of-a-point to 1,555.26 from Tuesday's close of 1,555.51. The index, which opened 0.65 of-a-point lower at 1,554.86, moved between 1,549.65 and 1,560.56 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative with losers beating gainers 519 to 492, while 445 counters were unchanged, 812 untraded and six others suspended. Turnover fell to 4.5 billion units worth RM3.06 billion from 4.66 billion units worth RM3.01 billion on Tuesday. Thong said buying activities emerged during the last minutes of trading, causing the benchmark index to rebound and close flat. "Meanwhile, we believe the timing of a windfall tax on glove and pl...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 14): The FBM KLCI fell for the third straight day to close 14.62 points or 0.93% lower at 1,555.51, dragged by decline in banking stocks and as investors gauged the possibility of a windfall tax being levied on corporate Malaysia. The benchmark index earlier was down as much as 21.24 points or 1.35% on profit-taking, before rebounding in choppy trades in the final minutes of trading. Decliners were led by Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd (down 3.96% or 23 sen to RM5.58), AMMB Holdings Bhd (down 3.69% or 12 sen to RM3.13) and Supermax Corp Bhd (down 3.3% or nine sen to RM2.64). “The market has shot up quite a bit in recent weeks, so any rumour will be taken as an opportunity for profit-taking,” said HLIB Research head of retail research Ng Jun Sheng, when contacted. “There could also be some portfolio adjustment this week ahead of the quadruple witching day this Friday,” Ng added. Overall, most KLCI component stocks settled in the red today. The...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 13): Bursa Malaysia’s key composite index finished 0.37% lower today, weighed down by selling in selected heavyweights led by Top Glove Corp Bhd.   At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 5.84 points to 1,570.13 from Friday’s close of 1,575.97. It opened 2.19 points easier at 1,573.78, which was also the day’s highest, and dropped as low as 1,562.11. In the broader market, losers surpassed gainers 669 to 362, while 444 counters were unchanged, 783 untraded and 16 others suspended. Turnover slipped to 4.01 billion units worth RM2.4 billion from 4.4 billion units worth RM2.75 billion on Friday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said Malaysian equities ended lower due to due to weak market sentiment and lack of buying catalysts. He said the FBM KLCI lost 0.37% with heavy selling in glove and plantation counters. “The index has lost about 30 points since hitting a high above 1,600...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): Bursa Malaysia bucked the regional market trend to end the week lower on the selling of selected heavyweights such as Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK), Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, and Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd. At 5pm, the barometer index retreated 2.92 points to finish at 1,575.97 from Thursday’s close of 1,578.89. After opening 2.75 points lower at 1,576.14, the FBM KLCI moved between 1,572.61 and 1,583.84 today. However on the broader market, gainers led decliners 498 to 466, while 485 counters were unchanged, 798 untraded, and six others suspended. Turnover was higher at 4.4 billion units worth RM2.75 billion compared with 4.18 billion units worth RM2.92 billion on Thursday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the Malaysian stock market ended mixed in a lacklustre trading day, with the FBM KLCI falling marginally by 0.18% due to the absence of buying catalysts. “We believe valuations of Malaysian stoc...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 9): Bursa Malaysia reversed yesterday’s gains, ending in the red today on selling pressure across the board. Of the index-linked stocks, Top Glove Corporation Bhd, MISC Bhd, and Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd were the top losers, which together weighed down the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) by a combined 7.54 points, dealers said.  At 5pm, the barometer index fell by 18.74 points to finish at 1,578.89 from Wednesday’s close of 1,597.63. After opening 5.45 points lower at 1,592.18, the FBM KLCI moved between 1,577.45 and 1,592.74 today. In the broader market, losers thumped gainers 747 to 338, while 413 counters were unchanged, 721 untraded and six others suspended. Turnover was lower at 4.18 billion units worth RM2.92 billion compared with 5.91 billion units worth RM3.23 billion on Wednesday. A dealer said the local bourse stayed in negative territory since opening, tracking the lacklustre overnight performance of global stocks amid ...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 8): Bursa Malaysia ended at an intraday high, lifted by last-minute buying in selected heavyweight stocks, led by Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd and MISC Bhd, dealers said. Press Metal and MISC lifted the index by a combined 4.92 points. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 14.15 points to end at 1,597.63 from Tuesday’s close of 1,583.48. After opening 1.76 points easier at 1,581.72, the FBM KLCI moved between 1,579.18 and 1,597.63 throughout the day. However, market breadth remained negative with decliners trumping gainers 707 to 374, while 426 counters were unchanged, 730 untraded and 25 others suspended. Turnover was higher at 5.91 billion units worth RM3.23 billion compared with 4.75 billion units worth RM2.89 billion on Tuesday. A dealer said trading on Bursa Malaysia turned choppy at midday.  “The local bourse extended its losses at mid-afternoon, dragged down by selling in heavyweights led by the healthcare...

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 7): Bursa Malaysia ended slightly higher today in range-bound trading, supported by buying in selected heavyweight stocks, dealers said. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was up 1.89 points to 1,583.48 from  Monday’s close of 1,581.59. It opened 0.16 of-a-point better at 1,581.75 and moved between 1,580.14 and 1,586.37 throughout the day.  Market breadth was positive with gainers outpacing losers 632 to 439, while 425 counters were unchanged, 731 untraded and 25 others suspended. Turnover was higher at 4.75 billion units worth RM2.89 billion compared with 4.42 billion units worth RM2.89 billion on Monday. A dealer said Bursa Malaysia had opened slightly higher, tracking its regional peers which mostly extended yesterday’s rally but hovered in a tight range throughout the trading session, taking the cue from the latest weak US jobs report which investors viewed positively. “On the local bourse, profit-taking in financ...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 6): Bursa Malaysia bucked the regional market trend to end lower today, succumbing to selling pressure on heavyweight stocks, dealers said. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was down 7.6 points or 0.48% to 1,581.59 from last Friday’s close of 1,589.19. It opened 1.48 points better at 1,590.67 and moved between 1,577.79 and 1,592.16 throughout the day.  Market breadth was positive with gainers outpacing decliners by 605 to 476, while 403 counters were unchanged, 754 untraded and 17 others suspended. Turnover was higher at 4.42 billion units worth RM2.89 billion compared with 4.25 billion units worth RM2.88 billion last Friday. A dealer said Bursa Malaysia opened higher but fell into the red at mid-morning amid selling pressure on heavyweights and continued the downtrend for the rest of the trading session. Asian shares were mostly up today, led by a rally in the Japanese stock market amid the imminent resignation of P...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 3): Late buying in selected telecommunications and media as well as financial service counters has pushed Bursa Malaysia to end at its intra-day high today amid mixed sentiments on the regional markets, dealers said. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was up seven points at 1,589.19 from yesterday’s close of 1,582.19. The index opened 2.98 points better at 1,585.17 and hovered to the lowest of 1,579.94 before ending the trading session at the highest level for the day. Market breadth was positive with gainers thumping decliners 631 to 399, while 448 counters were unchanged, 750 untraded and 17 others suspended. Turnover was higher at 4.25 billion units worth RM2.88 billion compared with 4.06 billion units worth RM2.77 billion yesterday. A dealer said that regionally, most Asian bourses were mixed as investors turned cautious after weaker-than-expected Chinese economic data, which raises concerns about China’s slowing economic...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 2): The FBM KLCI stayed in the red today on further profit-taking against the backdrop of mixed regional markets.  The benchmark index closed 4.7 points or 0.3% lower at 1,582.19.  Rakuten Trade head of equity sales Vincent Lau said the KLCI is currently in a consolidation mode and trading activity in the local bourse remained healthy.  “Volume is still healthy. For the past few days we have witnessed trading volume surpassing four billion levels.  “Selected plantation stocks, including Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) and Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, pulled the benchmark index lower today, possibly due to profit-taking activities,” he told The Edge .  KLK closed 14 sen or 0.66% lower at RM21.16 while Sime Darby Plantation fell 11 sen or 2.68% to RM4.  Areca Capital Sdn Bhd CEO Danny Wong said it is healthy for the local index to pause after a good run recently. “We expect foreign inflow to continue as the perceived political...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 1): The FBM KLCI reversed Monday’s gain and ended lower today, bucking regional trend, as banking heavyweights and healthcare-linked counters dragged on the benchmark index. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI finished 14.49 points or 0.90% lower at 1,586.89. Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd Adam Mohamed Rahim said selected index constituents from the banking sectors retreated by more than 1% during the day on profit-taking activities. “Hong Leong Bank, Maybank, Public Bank and RHB Bank all fell more than 1%, dragging the Bursa Malaysia Financial Services Index by over 1%, one of the biggest losers among Bursa sectoral indices. Perhaps investors decided to cash in on some gains after the recent rally seen in the FBM KLCI,” he told theedgemarkets.com when contacted. Adam added that healthcare-related counters also took a hit today as Hartalega Holdings Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd and Top Glove Corp Bhd ended lower, coinciding with the decline in number of daily Covid-19 cases ...