KUALA LUMPUR: Media group Star Publications (M) Bhd has been included in the MSCI Global Small Cap Index under the MSCI Malaysia Index, a move that would help draw more interest in the company from funds.

The stock inclusion will take effect from May 30.

Analysts said the counter’s inclusion would mean that there would be more buying interest in the stock, given that many funds track the MSCI indices.

An analyst said because the MSCI indices were tracked globally, the number of potential investors would increase.

“The stock will draw more attention with the inclusion,” he told StarBiz, adding that the move by MSCI reflected the performance of the company against its regional peers.

Another analyst explained that the components of the index would determine how the index moved.

“Funds that track the index will monitor the stock,” he said.

Besides Star, other inclusions were Axis Real Estate Investment Trust, Berjaya Auto Bhd, Datasonic Group Bhd, DKSH Holdings (M) Bhd, Inari Amertron Bhd, Jaya Tiasa Holdings Bhd, Karex Bhd, Parkson Holdings Bhd and Scomi Energy Services Bhd.

Twelve companies were removed from the index. Among them were Ann Joo Resources Bhd, BIMB Holdings Bhd, CSC Steel Holdings Bhd, Eversendai Corp Bhd, Hai-O Enterprise Bhd and Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd.

The other exclusions were Landmarks Bhd, Lion Industries Corp Bhd, Paramount Corp Bhd, SEG International Bhd, Uchi Technologies Bhd and YTL Land & Development Bhd.

MSCI is a leading provider of investment decision support tools to investors globally, including asset managers, banks, hedge funds and pension funds.

MSCI’s products and services include indexes, portfolio risk and performance analytics, and governance tools.

http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/05/16/Star-makes-MSCI-Global-Small-Cap-Index-list/