US markets extended losses as rising oil prices and a sharp sell-off in tech stocks weighed on sentiment , overshadowing dovish signals from the Federal Reserve. Key Market Moves S&P 500 fell 0.4% to 6,343.72 Nasdaq dropped 0.7% to 20,794.64 Dow Jones rose 0.1% to 45,216.14 Key takeaway: Tech weakness and oil-driven inflation fears are dragging the broader market lower. What’s Driving the Sell-Off? 1. Oil Prices Surge Again Crude oil jumped over 5% to around US$105 Driven by ongoing US–Iran–Israel conflict Higher oil = higher inflation risk = pressure on equities 2. Tech Stocks Lead the Decline Heavy losses in AI, chip, and data-related names: Applied Digital : -13.5% AXT Inc : -13% Micron Technology : -9.9% Arm Holdings : -5% Intel : -4.5% Super Micro Computer : -4.1% AI and semiconductor stocks are facing profit-taking and valuation concerns 3. Fed Comments Not Enough to Lift Sentiment Jerome Powell signaled no immediate rate hikes despite rising energy pri...
Key Takeaways:
- Profit Decline: Unisem (M) Bhd's net profit fell 29% to RM16.76 million in Q2FY2024 from RM24 million a year earlier.
- Revenue Increase: Despite the profit drop, revenue rose 4% to RM394.59 million due to higher sales volume and favorable USD to ringgit exchange rates.
- Dividend Announcement: Unisem declared a second interim dividend of two sen per share, payable on October 4.
- Earnings Per Share: EPS decreased to 1.04 sen from 1.48 sen.
- Six-Month Performance: For the first half of 2024, net profit decreased to RM25.22 million from RM33.79 million, while revenue grew to RM759.36 million from RM732.70 million.
- Industry Outlook: The semiconductor industry remains cautious, but Malaysia could benefit from global trade shifts and the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS).
Despite the profit decline, Unisem's share price increased by eight sen to RM4.20 at midday, valuing the company at RM6.77 billion.
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