MONEY MASTER

Global markets are showing a clear rotation away from mega-cap tech into traditional sectors, lifting the Dow to record levels. However, Malaysia’s KLCI remains weak, facing technical resistance despite a stronger ringgit and stable global backdrop. Global markets are rotating but Malaysia is not benefiting. What’s Really Happening In the US, markets are diverging: Dow rising → driven by industrials and healthcare Nasdaq falling → dragged by Big Tech weakness Clear shift away from AI leaders into non-tech sectors At the same time in Malaysia: KLCI is struggling to gain momentum Market remains range-bound with cautious sentiment Technical resistance continues to cap upside Even with a stronger ringgit, equity sentiment remains fragile. Why? This tells us two important things: 1. Global rotation is underway Capital is moving out of crowded tech trades into more defensive or value sectors. 2. Malaysia lacks strong catalysts Unlike US industrials or AI markets, Bursa does not have a clear ...

Malaysian energy stocks are hitting their peak, but the real shift is happening beneath the surface. Key Points Energy earnings likely peak in 2Q2026 Oil stabilising around  ~US$80/barrel Geopolitical risk premium is fading  after US-Iran deal Earnings to  gradually ease from July onwards Sector remains  overweight , but momentum is slowing The oil story is no longer about war risk, it’s about how quickly supply returns and whether demand is strong enough to keep prices near US$80. From War Rally to Normalisation The past few months were driven by: Supply disruptions Shipping constraints Risk premium from Middle East tensions Now, that narrative is shifting: Supply is  gradually returning Production is  coming back online Logistics are  normalising The energy sector is transitioning from a geopolitical-driven rally to a normalisation phase Why Oil Won’t Crash (Yet) Even with peace developments: Infrastructure repairs take time Tanker flows recover grad...

  Shares of  Tanco Holdings  plunged sharply after a temporary price floor was removed, triggering a renewed wave of selling pressure. Sharp Sell-Off Resumes The stock fell as much as  40% intraday to 12 sen , its lowest level in nearly  29 months , before recovering slightly. Last traded:  14.5 sen Volume:  284 million shares traded Among the  most active counters on Bursa Malaysia Key trigger:  The lapse of an  exchange-imposed lower-limit floor , which had briefly stabilised the stock. From High Flyer to Collapse Tanco’s recent volatility has been extreme: +600% rally since 2024 Peak market cap:  >RM10 billion (June 2026) Current market cap:  ~RM889 million More than 90% value wiped out in days , marking one of the sharpest reversals in recent Bursa history. What Caused the Volatility? Several factors contributed to the sharp swings: Speculative momentum-driven rally Exchange queries on  unusual trading activity Rapi...

Malaysian equities opened stronger, with the  FBM KLCI  climbing as much as  0.8% to 1,697 , driven by gains in banking and technology stocks. However,  falling oil prices dragged energy counters lower , highlighting sector divergence. Banks and Tech Lead the Market Market momentum was supported by: CIMB Group Holdings  rising  over 3% Malaysian Pacific Industries  surging  7% Renewed optimism in  AI and growth sectors , following strong global tech sentiment and the ripple effects from the  SpaceX-driven market excitement . Oil Drop Hits Energy Stocks Energy counters underperformed as oil prices declined after progress in US-Iran peace talks: Dialog Group  fell  over 5% Stocks rose because lower oil prices reduce inflation and Fed risks , but this simultaneously pressures  energy sector earnings . Macro Risks Cap Upside Despite the rebound, analysts see  limited upside  for the KLCI: Resistance expected around...

Rakuten Trade has flagged a looming  global “perfect storm”  and trimmed its  end-2026 target for the  FBM KLCI  to 1,770  from 1,800, citing rising macro risks that could unsettle markets. The “Deadly Triangle” Shaping Markets At the core of the concern is a  “deadly love triangle” : High global debt levels Lower interest rate pressure Weakening US dollar trend The US debt has surpassed  US$39 trillion , with annual interest costs nearing  US$1.2 trillion , limiting policy flexibility. Key implication: Central banks, especially the  Federal Reserve , may lean toward  rate cuts , which could  weaken the US dollar  and distort global capital flows. Rising Yields Add Another Layer of Risk Japan is emerging as a critical pressure point: 10-year bond yields at ~2.8% (highest since 1997) Risk of  yen carry trade unwinding  This could trigger  global liquidity tightening , amplifying volatility across equities and...

Tanco Holdings  saw its share price collapse  60% in a single day , extending a brutal selloff that erased nearly  RM10 billion in market value  within days. What Happened Stock plunged  60% to 20 sen  (limit-down) Marked  4th consecutive limit-down session Over  205 million shares traded  in heavy selling Key point: One of the sharpest collapses in Bursa history after a massive speculative rally. From Boom to Bust Shares had surged  600% since 2024 Market cap peaked at  ~RM10 billion (June 3) Now dropped to  ~RM1.2 billion This is a classic parabolic rally followed by a rapid unwind. What Triggered the Selloff 1. Insider Trading Activity Raised Concerns Managing director  sold shares near peak prices Bought and sold large blocks within days Mixed insider signals often shake investor confidence. 2. Speculative Momentum Faded Earlier rally driven by: Data centre story (50MW project with China Mobile) Market speculation When...

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...

Malaysia’s latest investment data underscores a key theme:  resilience amid volatility , with capital flows holding steady even as global markets grapple with geopolitical and macroeconomic pressures. Stable Investment Flows Signal Confidence Approved investments came in at  RM92.8 billion for 1Q2026 , broadly unchanged year-on-year. While headline growth appears modest, the underlying message is more constructive: Investor confidence in Malaysia remains intact despite external headwinds. Foreign investments continued to dominate at  60.5% (RM56.2 billion) , while domestic investments rose  13% , providing a strong internal growth buffer. Job Creation Surge Points to Higher-Quality Investments The standout figure is the sharp rise in employment impact: Projected jobs surged 46.7% to over 50,000 This suggests a shift toward: More labour-intensive and value-added projects Stronger  economic spillover effects Increased focus on  long-term industrial and servic...

Malaysia’s property market is seeing a strong resurgence, with  RM78.2 billion in real estate investments recorded in 2025 , but the deeper story lies in  who is driving the capital flows . Private Capital Leads the New Investment Cycle The surge is underpinned by an  86.7% increase in private equity and venture capital , signalling a clear shift: "Long-term capital including family offices and ultra-wealthy investors is returning to real estate." Globally, private capital has already overtaken institutional investors in commercial real estate for four consecutive years, and Malaysia is increasingly part of this trend. Malaysia Attracting Regional and Cross-Border Wealth The inflows are particularly visible in: Johor , supported by policy initiatives like the Single Family Office (SFO) framework Premium commercial assets , including landmark developments such as TRX Rising participation from  family offices and cross-border investors This suggests Malaysia is evolvin...

Tanco Holdings Bhd’s sharp correction has erased nearly  RM5 billion in market value , but the more important question for investors is not just  why it fell,  but: "Why did the market price it so highly in the first place?" From Momentum to Reality Check Tanco Holdings Bhd  had surged more than  50% in 2026  prior to the selloff, briefly pushing its valuation above peers like  Sime Darby Property Bhd . Such a sharp re-rating typically reflects: Strong market narratives or expectations Anticipation of  corporate developments or value unlocking Heavy  momentum-driven participation from retail and traders The Core Investment Insight The recent decline suggests the earlier rally may have been driven more by: Positioning and sentiment , rather than Fundamental earnings visibility When expectations rise faster than fundamentals, the downside can be equally aggressive once: News flow fails to materialise Or  uncertainty increases Why This Matt...

Malayan Banking Bhd’s latest disclosure points to more than just deal volume,  it provides  early evidence that the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is beginning to attract meaningful capital flows , positioning the bank at the forefront of a multi-year regional growth theme. Early Signs of Capital Formation in JS-SEZ Malayan Banking Bhd  has facilitated  RM20 billion (US$4.9 billion) in financing and investments  tied to the JS-SEZ, spanning corporate, mid-market and consumer segments. More notably, the bank has supported the establishment of  nine family offices in Johor , signalling: Rising wealth inflows into the corridor Growing demand for  cross-border structuring and asset allocation Early-stage development of a  regional wealth management hub This suggests the SEZ is  moving beyond policy ambition into execution phase , where capital deployment is already taking shape. From Policy Framework to Investable Theme The JS-SEZ...

Malaysia’s benchmark index retreated as  profit-taking in key heavyweights  weighed on sentiment, while overall market activity remained active. Summary FBM KLCI fell 0.83% to 1,684.93 , dragged by losses in banking and selected large-cap names, despite steady trading participation. Market Performance FBM KLCI :  1,684.93 (-0.83%) FBM Mid 70:  -0.00% (flat) FBM Small Cap:  -0.23% FBM ACE:  +0.20% Broad market was mixed , with weakness concentrated in large caps. Market Breadth & Trading Activity Total volume:  3.54 billion shares Total value:  RM4.19 billion Gainers:  456 Losers:  678 Unchanged:  550 Market breadth turned negative , reflecting cautious sentiment. Top Movers – KLCI Gainers Axiata (6888.MY)   +1.54% Petronas Gas (6033.MY)   +1.18% Sunway (5211.MY)   +1.15% Losers Hong Leong Bank (5819.MY)   -3.29% Maybank (1155.MY)   -3.02% CIMB (1023.MY)   -2.47% Banking sector weakness was the main ...

Sunway shares edged higher following a strong first-quarter performance, though analysts remain cautious due to  rising cost pressures and limited near-term catalysts . Share Price Gains After Strong Headline Earnings Sunway’s stock rose  1.9% to RM5.34  in early trading, supported by: RM9.4 billion net profit  in 1QFY2026 8% revenue growth  to RM2.56 billion The earnings surge was largely driven by a  RM9.1 billion fair value gain  from the listing of  Sunway Healthcare . Core Growth Driven by Property and Construction Underlying fundamentals remain supported by: Strong  property sales momentum A sizeable  construction order book of RM8.2 billion Data centre projects accounting for ~64%  of outstanding jobs New contract wins of  RM3.6 billion in 1Q  already represent  60% of full-year targets , highlighting solid earnings visibility. Analysts Stay Cautious Despite Positive Outlook Consensus sentiment remains neutral:...

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd  reported a slight earnings dip in 1QFY2026, as margin pressure weighed on core income, though early signs of stabilisation are starting to appear. Summary CIMB’s net profit edged down to  RM1.92 billion (-2.9% YoY)  due to weaker net interest income, but  improving margins and stronger non-interest income signal a potential turnaround ahead . Key Highlights Net profit -2.9% YoY  to RM1.92 billion Net interest income -5%  (margin pressure) Non-interest income +11.9%  (trading & forex gains) ROE: 11.0% CASA ratio improved to 43.3% Gross impaired loans stable at 1.7% CET1 ratio strong at 14.3% Segment Performance Consumer banking:  -23% (higher provisions, lower margins) Commercial banking:  +38% (strong recoveries) Wholesale banking:  -10% (lower one-off income) Digital & funding:  +11.1% (boost from TNG Digital) Key drag: margin compression and higher provisions in consumer segment Early Signs of Stab...