KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher, buoyed by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent, alongside positive cues from Wall Street. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 19.30 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 1,635.86 from Wednesday’s close of 1,616.56. The benchmark index opened 6.72 points higher at 1,623.28, and fluctuated between an intraday high of 1,642.44 and a low of 1,622.62 during the trading session. However, market breadth was negative, with losers outnumbering gainers 723 to 497, while 466 counters were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.74 billion units valued at RM3.61 billion compared with yesterday’s 2.81 billion units valued at RM2.57 billion.
Earnings Miss 1HFY2025 Core Net Profit : RM7.1m After adjustments (NRV write-down + onerous provision of RM22m). Only 29% of full-year forecast achieved , well below expectations. Key Issue : Earnings miss reflects weaker ASPs and thinner margins. Analyst Downgrades BIMB Securities Research : Cut rating from Neutral to Sell . Slashed earnings forecasts: FY2025: -48% FY2026: -68% FY2027: -72% Cited Thai sugar dumping risk after China banned liquid sugar imports, putting pressure on ASPs. MBSB Research : Downgraded from Neutral to Sell . Expects recovery delayed to FY2026 instead of FY2025. Pegged lower TP of RM0.71 (vs current price RM0.98). Warned of price war among AP players with excess inventory. Market Reaction Shares fell 1.5% to RM0.98 (Aug 26). YTD performance : -19%. MSM is one of only two refiners in Malaysia (the other is unlisted Central Sugars Refinery und...