MONEY MASTER

Global markets turned cautious as a  sharp tech selloff and escalating US-Iran tensions  weighed on sentiment, while Malaysia’s palm oil sector faced rising pressure from  weak exports and intensifying regional competition . Wall Street Slides on Tech Weakness and Geopolitics US equities declined sharply, led by heavy selling in technology stocks: S&P 500 -1.62% ,  Nasdaq -1.98% ,  Dow -1.87% Super Micro Computer  plunged  28%  after a dilutive share placement Broad declines across chipmakers including  NVIDIA ,  Advanced Micro Devices  and  Taiwan Semiconductor At the same time, oil prices surged  3% to US$90+ , as renewed military strikes heightened fears of  inflation and prolonged high interest rates . KLCI Holds Ground but Breadth Signals Weakness Despite global volatility, Malaysia’s  KLCI edged up 0.21% , supported by selective buying. However, underlying sentiment remained fragile: Losers outpaced gai...

 Gamuda Bhd’s share price slid to a  five-month low  on Thursday morning after the company reported a  muted first-quarter performance  for FY2026. Shares Down Nearly 6% As of 10:19am: The stock fell  30 sen (-5.9%)  to  RM4.83 Market value stood at  RM28.5 billion Trading volume hit  15.57 million shares Earnings: Profit Up, Revenue Down Gamuda posted a  5% increase in net profit  for the quarter ended Oct 31, 2025: Net profit:  RM215.13 million (vs RM205.39 million a year earlier) Revenue:  RM3.84 billion (down from RM4.14 billion, -7.2%) The profit growth was driven mainly by: Stronger domestic construction contributions Property development gains in Vietnam Dividend Maintained The group declared an  interim dividend of 5 sen per share , unchanged from the same period last year.

Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) could lift earnings by another 40% in FY2026 after delivering record results this year, analysts said, citing strong job flows and a recovery in property sales. Market Snapshot FY2026 earnings  forecast: RM1.40b net profit (Bloomberg consensus). Analyst ratings : 19 Buy, 2 Hold, 0 Sell. Average target price : RM6.39 (vs current RM5.58). Share performance : Up ~20% year-to-date, despite pulling back from record highs. FY2026 property sales target : RM5.5b, backed by >RM2b launches in Malaysia and quick projects in Vietnam. Growth Drivers Ahead Projects in the pipeline : Data-centre tenders, Marinus Link conversion, Penang LRT packages, and Australian renewable-energy works expected in the coming months. 2026 outlook : Analysts expect an “eventful year” with high certainty of project conversions. Property Division Recovery FY2025 property sales came in below Gamuda’s RM5b target. RHB Research sees FY2026 sales target of RM5.5b as achievable, supported by dom...

Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) has secured a  RM2.138 billion contract  through its engineering unit to construct hyperscale data centres for Eco World Development Group Bhd (KL:ECOWLD). Contract Details Client:  Quantum Alpha Sdn Bhd, a unit of EcoWorld. Scope of Works: Main structures of  two data centre blocks . Power substation  and  water reservoir . Related  infrastructure and facilities . Timeline:  Project begins  3Q2025 , targeted completion by  3Q2027 . Strategic Significance The award underscores Gamuda’s push into  digital infrastructure , a growth area aligned with rising demand for  cloud computing and AI . Comes shortly after Gamuda’s tie-up with  Gentari (Petronas’ clean energy arm)  to develop  1.5GW of solar + storage projects  aimed at powering hyperscale data centres. Follows another major win this month: a  RM1.13 billion highway project  in Sarawak via joint venture with Naim Holdings...

Despite a quiet trading day across Malaysian indices,  Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PCHEM)  made headlines with a double-digit rally, emerging as the  top gainer  on the  FBM KLCI . Index Performance FBM KLCI :  1,588.21  (▼  0.13% ) FBM 70 :  16,603.46  (▼  0.64% ) FBM Small Cap :  15,569.33  (▼  0.21% ) FBM Emas Index :  11,782.83  (▼  0.25% ) Key Takeaway : Major indices posted mild losses as investors stayed on the sidelines amid global macro uncertainties. Top Gainers & Losers by Segment FBM KLCI Movers Top Gainer : $PCHEM (5183.MY)$  ▲  12.37%  to  RM4.180 (Strong demand speculation or company-specific catalyst could be in play) Top Loser : $PPB (4065.MY)$  ▼  3.04%  to  RM8.620 FBM 70 Movers Top Gainer : $LCTITAN (5284.MY)$  ▲  9.71%  to  RM0.565 Top Loser : $PMBTECH (7172.MY)$  ▼  4.65%  to  RM1.230   Malay...

截至7月18日这一周，马股迎来剧烈资金流动，各路玩家“买啥卖啥”，全都曝光！ 外资持续调仓，但锁定“基建新宠” 🔝  外资净买入榜 TOP 3： 1️⃣  Gamuda  💰 RM153.7M 2️⃣  Sunway  💰 RM103.6M 3️⃣  Westports  💰 RM88.2M   解读：  外资加码建筑和物流股，似乎在为潜在贸易战做“对冲”准备，基建项目成为避风港。 本地散户“扫银行”模式启动！ 散户净买入榜 TOP 3： 1️⃣  Maybank  💰 RM95.8M 2️⃣  CIMB  💰 RM66.6M 3️⃣  RHB Bank  💰 RM63.3M 解读：  散户涌向银行板块，押注马股反弹+高息防御。也有散户开始追踪AI概念股 Zetrix（+RM27.4M）。 本地机构转向防守策略   机构净买入榜： CIMB：RM56.6M PBBank：RM47.5M Sime Darby Prop：RM33.7M 但同时也在卖出： Maybank：-RM103.1M Gamuda：-RM102.8M WPRTS：-RM87.0M 解读：  机构两面出招——加码防守型金融股，同时调低建筑与物流配置。 资金博弈背后的四大风险 1️⃣  美方8月新关税恐将波及马来西亚建筑与科技板块 2️⃣  英美通胀不降，可能延迟全球降息时机 3️⃣  外资继续撤离本地科技板块（年初至今已流出 RM513M） 4️⃣  市场对“特朗普式强硬”仍存戒心 MoneyMaster 观察笔记 散户在捡便宜？  银行、AI概念成为关注热点 外资在防守中做对冲？  基建+物流或是看好政策红利 机构表现理性，边走边看 资金虽动荡，但信息已给足，接下来看谁能借势布局反弹！

Top picks: Gamuda, Sunway Construction, Binastra RHB Investment Bank has reaffirmed its  OVERWEIGHT  rating on Malaysia’s  construction sector , maintaining confidence despite potential US export restrictions on  AI chips  to Malaysia and Thailand. What's happening? The US is reportedly drafting a rule to curb AI chip shipments over concerns they may be rerouted to China. But the proposal: Is not finalized , and Includes a grace period  for US firms and allies to continue shipments without a licence. Why RHB remains positive: Strong pipeline  of  data centre (DC) projects  continues. Ongoing investment from global tech giants like  Google, AWS, Microsoft , and  Oracle  in Malaysia’s DC infrastructure. Possible exemptions for “ friendly nations ” and validated firms could soften any export ban impact. Key DC hotspots : Elmina Business Park Phase 2 Eco Business Park V, Puncak Alam Port Dickson (500–700MW capacity) Nilai (US-backe...

Malaysia’s technology and construction sectors came under selling pressure on Monday morning following reports of a draft US policy that could restrict the export of AI chips to Malaysia and Thailand. The proposed regulation, not yet finalised, aims to curb potential re-exports of advanced chips to China via third-party countries, intensifying concerns around global supply chain disruption. Key Market Reactions: Inari Amertron Bhd (INARI)  fell  5.8% to RM1.96 , reflecting investor concerns over its role in the global semiconductor value chain. Gamuda Bhd (GAMUDA)  declined  5.2% to RM4.83 , with potential implications for its data centre-related construction contracts. The  FBM KLCI  dropped nearly  1% , down 15 points, signalling broader market caution. Background & Policy Risk: According to Bloomberg, the US Commerce Department is working on a draft rule to block AI chip shipments to Malaysia and Thailand as part of efforts to tighten control on...

Wall Street Wrap:  Nasdaq and S&P 500 set fresh highs on U.S.-China trade deal relief, though new tensions with Canada loom. Dow up 1% but still off recent peak. Bursa Recap:  KLCI rose 0.55% to 1,528.16, lifted by buying interest and positive regional sentiment. Trading volume dipped amid a holiday-shortened week. Stocks to Watch: Gamuda:  Q3 profit +4.68% to RM246.84m. Declares 5 sen dividend. Solid construction gains. ECOWLD:  Record Q2 profit +85.3%. TOPGLOV:  Profit fell 31% amid rising costs. MBSB:  Eyes RM50b loan book by FY2026. KPJ:  Reviews exit from Bangladesh ops. UMCCA:  Profit +57.43%, declares dividends. Macro Watch: SST exemptions on fruits from July 2025. Basic banking fees exempt from new service tax. Malaysia’s PPI dropped 3.6% YoY in May.

Gamuda (KLSE: GAM) has long been a key name in Malaysia’s construction sector—but right now, it's building more than just tunnels and highways. It’s laying the foundation for its next phase of growth, quietly extending its reach into data centres, regional projects, and infrastructure upgrades. A Pipeline That’s Actually Moving Gamuda’s project pipeline isn’t just talk—it’s backed by recent wins and ongoing tenders. One major win: enabling works for a hyperscale data centre by  Pearl Computing . That project alone puts Gamuda in a strong position, with several more data centre contracts from the same client in the pipeline. Beyond that, the company is actively bidding for: Water treatment plant upgrades in Sabah Penang LRT works Rail and renewable energy projects in Australia Transit infrastructure in Taiwan and Sydney Gamuda may have missed out on one large rail contract recently, but it has a full bench of upcoming opportunities—both local and overseas. Construction Activity Pick...

Gamuda Bhd has achieved an all-time high construction order book of RM36 billion for the second quarter ending January 31, 2025 (2Q25), breaking its own record for the fourth consecutive year. Key Highlights: Revenue : Increased by 19% to RM4 billion, compared to RM3.4 billion in 2Q24. Net Profit : Rose by 5% to RM218.8 million, compared to RM208.8 million in 2Q24. Overseas Earnings : Contributed 53% of total construction earnings, with the remaining 47% from domestic projects. Penang Land Reclamation : Reclaimed 91 acres of land by January 2025, driving growth in domestic revenue. Half-Year Performance (1H25): Revenue : Grew by 32% to RM8.2 billion, compared to RM6.2 billion in 1H24. Net Profit : Increased by 5% to RM424 million, compared to RM403.8 million in 1H24. Outlook: Gamuda's domestic order book is expected to expand further next month with the signing of several large domestic contracts, driving future growth in margins and earnings for its construction division. The comp...

Gamuda Bhd shares surged on Monday, reaching RM8.68 , nearing a record high amid investor enthusiasm over its recent data centre contract. By 10am, shares stood at RM8.59 , pushing the company's market capitalization beyond RM24 billion , with potential for FBM KLCI inclusion by year-end. The RM451 million Cyberjaya data centre contract brings Gamuda’s contract wins since August to RM6.7 billion , boosting its order book to RM31.4 billion . Analysts see potential to surpass its RM35 billion target by December. CIMB Securities set a price target of RM10.20 , joining other analysts with targets above RM10, amid high confidence that Gamuda could secure up to RM15 billion in new projects in the next two quarters. Shares have risen 94% this year , fueled by optimism in the construction sector and major government infrastructure plans. Analysts maintain a strong bullish outlook with 18 'buy' calls and a consensus target price of RM9.48 , indicating a further 10% upside. With ...

  Here’s a brief roundup of notable corporate news from Friday: Affin Bank Bhd: The Sarawak government increased its stake in Affin Bank to 31.25% from 4.8%, becoming the largest shareholder. The state acquired the additional stake through its unit SG Assetfin Holdings Sdn Bhd by signing a share purchase agreement with Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) and Boustead Holdings Bhd . Gamuda Bhd: Gamuda secured a A$243 million (RM702 million) contract to construct the Boulder Creek Wind Farm in Queensland, Australia. The project involves 38 turbines with a total capacity of 228 megawatts and is expected to be operational by 2027. HeiTech Padu Bhd: HeiTech Padu is acquiring a 30% stake in Souqa Fintech Sdn Bhd , the owner of the PayHalal Islamic payment gateway, for RM16.17 million . The investment will be funded partly by cash and partly by services. Bintai Kinden Corp Bhd: Bintai Kinden is focusing on its construction division to exit Practice Note 17 (PN17) statu...

Results in line 2QFY7/16 net profit of MYR160m (-12% YoY, -0.7% QoQ) brought 1HFY7/16 net profit to MYR321m (-13% YoY), accounting for 48%/51% of our/consensus full-year forecasts. KVMRT 2 major works are expected to be awarded soon and the underground works value could exceed earlier forecast. Further upside could come from other infrastructure projects win. Reiterate as TOP BUY at unchanged RNAV-TP of MYR5.65. KVMRT 1 works at tail end In 2QFY7/16, construction pretax profit (before FRS 11) was 8% QoQ lower (-37% YoY) as construction works recognition declined 32% QoQ (- 28% YoY) but partly offset by higher 2QFY7/16 construction pretax profit margin of 8.2% (+1.1ppt QoQ, -1.2ppt YoY). These higher margins were due to the higher portion of higher-margin underground works recognised. Offset by stronger concession earnings Property development pretax profit (before FRS 11) also fell 12% QoQ (- 9% YoY) due to slower property progress billings (-6% QoQ, -10% YoY) and proper...