Review & Outlook

The bearish divergence signals flashed the previous week on multiple trend and momentum indicators on the FBM KLCI was confirmed by last week's profit-taking correction which persisted to further weaken technical momentum signals. As such, investors should expect further downward volatility, given the sharp selloff globally amid worries for potential recession in the US which have been reporting weaker-than-expected economic numbers recently.

For the index, immediate supports are adjusted to 1,609 and 1,586, the respective 50-day and 100-day moving average levels, with better supports seen at 1,580 and 1,560. On the upside, immediate resistance remains at 1,628, with the recent high of 1,638, and subsequently 1,640 and 1,660 acting as tougher upside hurdles.

As for stock picks this week, selected lower liner construction, oil & gas and technology counters should attract bargain hunters again following recent sharp corrections, which increases the probability for oversold rebound ahead.

News Bites

• Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will meet his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok in a few weeks to discuss economic cooperation, and to foster Malaysia-Russia bilateral relations.

• Affin Bank Bhd has introduced a mortgage solution that designs to make property investments in London and Manchester more accessible to Malaysians and successful customers can secure a loan in ringgit of up to RM15.0mn with a financing margin of up to 80.0%.

• WCT Holdings Bhd plans to raise up to RM163.1mn via a private placement of shares to third-party independent investors.

• Perak Transit Bhd has proposed establishing an Islamic medium-term notes programme of RM1.5bn in nominal value, based on the Shariah principle of Wakalah Bi Al-Istithmar sukuk.

• Ranhill Utilities Bhd said four of its directors, including founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Hamdan Mohamad, have resigned from their positions after the successful takeover of RANHILL by YTL Power International Bhd and its 70%-owned unit SIPP Power Sdn Bhd.

• YBS International Bhd plans to raise up to RM25.6mn through a private placement with over half of the proceeds allocated to fund the lithiumion battery manufacturing project it is undertaking in partnership with US advanced silicon battery producer Enovix Corp.

• Binastra Corporation Bhd has accepted a letter of award worth RM160.0mn from Dynamicz Sdn Bhd for a property project in Damansara Perdana, Selangor.

• Paragon Globe Bhd has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with Bridge Data Centres Malaysia VI Sdn Bhd for the proposed disposal of 8.0-hectare land in Johor Bahru, Johor, for RM99.0mn.

• Taliworks Corporation Bhd is expected to get a boost during the current financial year ending Dec 31, 2024 from insurance payments related to replacement costs for the solar modules at its wholly owned subsidiaries' solar plants.

• XL Holdings Bhd has scrapped its plan to acquire a 25.0% stake in Sabah-based Samajutera Sdn Bhd, which would have allowed the fish farming group to venture into seaweed cultivation.

• Pentamaster Corporation Bhd's test equipment for the smartphone industry is gradually making a comeback with improving orders from customers.

• ACE Market-bound Sik Cheong Bhd's initial public offering has been oversubscribed by 213.5 times.

• Straits Energy Resources Bhd plans to exit the port operation and management business by disposing of its entire 51.0% equity interest in Megah Port Management Sdn Bhd, the concessionaire of Labuan Liberty Port, to LPM Holdings Sdn Bhd for RM5.0mn cash.

• Awanbiru Technology Bhd has signed a service agreement with Sabah Net Sdn Bhd for the subscription of Google Workspace enterprise starter licences worth RM9.9mn.

• Trading of the shares in Ecobuilt Holdings Bhd will be suspended Aug 9, after the High Court approved a winding-up petition against the group.

• British-domiciled multinational insurance company Prudential plc has emerged as a substantial shareholder with 5.2% stake in cable support system provider United U-Li Corporation Bhd.

• HHRG Bhd have received a writ of summons, statement of claim and an ex-parte order, among others, filed by its largest substantial shareholders, alleging fraudulent inducement in agreements related to the transfer of shares.

• The US unemployment rate jumped to near a three-year high of 4.3% in July, heightening fears the labour market was deteriorating and potentially making the economy vulnerable to a recession.

Source: TA Research - 5 Aug 2024