Market Apathy To Continue

• The FBM KLCI (+0.2%) ended with modest gains; mainly due to the strong jump in Petronas Chemicals and its related companies. The majority of the lower liners – the FBM Fledgling and FBM Ace (-0.5%) were subdued, with the exception of FBM Small Cap (+0.3%). Energy-related stocks, meanwhile, continuing to power higher amid a mostly tempered broader market.

• Market breadth turned negative on Tuesday as decliners overtook the winners a ratio of 510-to-382 stocks. Traded volumes also surged 29.8% to 2.73 bln shares, boosted by extended buying support in energy stocks.

• Significant key-index advancers include Petronas-linked affiliates like Petronas Chemicals (+36.0 sen), Petronas Gas (+18.0 sen), and Petronas Dagangan (+12.0 sen) Nestle (+30.0 sen), and Maxis (+10.0 sen). Broader market winners were Hengyuan Refining (+31.0 sen), Fraser & Neave (+30.0 sen), MagniTech Industries (+29.0 sen), Allianz Malaysia (+28.0 sen) and Petron Malaysia (+27.0 sen).

• In contrast, BAT (-RM1.28), Dutch Lady (-RM1.22), Carlsberg (-42.0 sen), Heineken Malaysia (-24.0 sen) and United Plantations (-20.0 sen) were among the big losers for the day. The top five decliners on the FBM KLCI, meanwhile, were Hong Leong Financial Group (-20.0 sen), Kuala Lumpur Kepong (-16.0 sen), Tenaga Nasional (- 16.0 sen), Ambank (-7.0 sen) and PPB Group (-4.0 sen).

• Notable Asian equities’ markets were lacklustre yesterday as investors retreated to the sidelines amid rising geopolitical tensions. The Nikkei (+0.1%) eked-out gains, boosted by the rally in the energy sector (+5.2%). The Shanghai Composite and the Hang Seng index, however, retreated 1.7% and 1.2% respectively, while ASEAN stockmarkets finished mixed.

• Key U.S. indexes chalked out minor gains ahead of the two-day Federal Reserve policy meeting. The Dow (+0.1%) closed slightly higher, while the S&P 500 added 0.3%, backed by gains in the property and utilities sectors, alongside the Nasdaq (- +0.4%).

• Rising geopolitical risk in the Middle East and the sharp reversal in the crude oil prices, following expectations of supply recovery in Saudi by end-September left most of the European markets in the red. The FTSE closed a hairline below the breakeven level, although while the CAC (+0.2%) outperformed its peers and closed higher for the session.

THE DAY AHEAD

• Although the market undertone was still wary yesterday, firmer support on selected heavyweights allowed the key index to close in the positive yesterday, albeit conditions were more subdued elsewhere.
• Despite the gains, we still see the overall market conditions as still cautious, undermined by the lack of fresh impetuses, both from local and foreign sources as market players await for more developments in the U.S.-China trade spat and the ongoing FOMC meeting that could see further cuts in U.S. interest rates.

• Back home, we think that O&G stocks could retreat slightly after oil prices slipped as fears of a supply shortage ebbed. Therefore, we still think that the mixed market condition will prevail and this could see the key index making little headway. The near term supports are at the 1,600 and 1,590 levels, while the resistances are at 1,610 and 1,620 respectively.

• The lower liners and broader market shares have also remained largely indifferent of late and with still few catalysts, we think that the rangebound trend is likely to prevail for now as fresh buying interest is still lacking.

COMPANY BRIEF

• KNM Group Bhd has accepted a purchase order dated 10th September 2019 for the supply of big size CS/CLD columns and vessels up to 60MM for a clean fuel project at the existing major oil refinery in Sriracha, Chonburi, Thailand as operated by Thai Oil Public Co Ltd, amounting to US$12.7 mln. The supply and delivery for the order is to be met not exceeding 12 months commencing from the date of the order. (Bernama)

• FGV Holdings Bhd has signed a distributorship agreement with DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Bhd to widen the distribution of FGV’s downstream products across hotels, restaurants and cafes in Peninsular Malaysia. The agreement involves the distribution of FGV’s food manufacturer, Delima's products including cooking oil, creamer and margarine, across Peninsular Malaysia's food service industry. (The Edge Daily)

• Genting Bhd is establishing a Medium Term Notes (MTNs) programme of RM10.00 bln in nominal value. The MTNs have been assigned an initial long-term rating of AAA by RAM Rating Services Bhd.

• The net proceeds from the MTN programme will be utilised for Genting’s operating expenses, capital expenditure, investment, refinancing, working capital requirements, general funding requirements or other general corporate purposes. (The Edge Daily)

• IHH Healthcare Bhd has proposed to buy the entire stake of Prince Court Medical Centre Sdn Bhd (PCMC) for RM1.02 bln in cash. The vendor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Bhd. The acquisition will be funded via a combination of internally-generated funds and bank borrowings. (The Edge Daily)

• Fintec Global Bhd is acquiring a 19.8% stake in label printing and packaging solution services provider, Komarkcorp Bhd for RM16.4 mln. Fintec Global is buying the stake from Koh Hong Muan @ Koh Gak Siong and Aimas Enterprise Sdn Bhd. The acquisition will be funded entirely from internally-generated funds. (The Edge Daily)

• Yinson Holdings Bhd’s 49.0%-owned joint venture in Vietnam for a charter contract worth US$1.00 bln over a 15-year period has been terminated, due to a prolonged force majeure event, which is widely understood to be the overlapping claims in South China Sea between Vietnam and China.

• The joint venture, PTSC Ca Rong Do Ltd, will assert its rights under all relevant contracts and in laws, for any advances, claims, liabilities, losses or damages against or suffered by it in any way concerning the matter. (The Edge Daily)

• Country Heights Holdings Bhd Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Low Kok Thai has resigned just six months after he was appointed to the post. The resignation is due to his unsuccessful efforts in assisting Country Heights and its group of companies in restructuring the debts, after exhausting all avenues with the local financial institutions. (The Edge Daily)

• Eversendai Corp Bhd announced the start of work for its first European offshore wind renewable project intended for Petrofac and Holland's transmission system operator Tennet. Eversendai’s will be carrying out the engineering and fabrication of the six-leg jacket structure for Hollandse Kust Zuid Alpha in its 550- m. waterfront and 200,000 sq. m. fabrication yard in RAK Maritime City, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. (The Edge Daily)

• TDM Bhd has confirmed that Indonesian authorities have sealed off its subsidiary's plantation land in the republic, due to fire. Some 1,201 ha. belonging to TDM’s subsidiary, PT Rafi Kamajaya Abadi (PTRKA) had been affected by fire, which has been extinguished.

• The group has reported that it practises the RSPO principles and is strictly governed by the 'No Burning' policy that there shall be no use of fire in the preparation of new planting, replanting or any other developments. (The Edge Daily)

• Datasonic Group Bhd is establishing a joint venture (JV) in Nigeria, with the group owning 40.0% in it. Datasonic has entered into a JV agreement with one Nigerian company called Chrome Group to establish the JV company (JVCo).

• The JVCo intends to explore and carry on business in information communications technology (ICT) in Nigeria, including data centre, data mining, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, security printing, multi-application secure identity, e-Passport, e-Driving Licence, eHealth solutions, e-Commerce, e-Payment, Fintech, integrated security and surveillance systems, multimodal facial recognition solutions and border control system.

• The JVCo also intends to establish plants and factories in Nigeria for the purpose of delivery of these services. (The Edge Daily)  

Source: Mplus Research - 18 Sept 2019