Review & Outlook

Bursa Malaysia shares rebounded on Monday following bargain hunting interest in industrial products, construction and plantation stocks. The FBM KLCI climbed 11.6 points to close at 1,604.04, off an early low of 1,591.49 and high of 1,605.41, but losers edged gainers 529 to 484 on total turnover of 2.96bn shares worth RM2.23bn.

Local market sentiment should remain cautious as investors digest the current corporate earnings and price-in bets for slower interest rate cuts going forward by the US Federal Reserve. Immediate index support rests at 1,588, the 38.2%FR of the 1,529 low (6 Aug) to 1,684 high (29 Aug) rally, with stronger key supports at 1,565, the 23.6%FR level, and then 1,550. Immediate resistance will be at 1,630, next 1,648, the 76.4%FR level, followed by the September peak of 1,675.

Axiata will need convincing breakout above the 38.2%FR (RM2.42) to boost upside momentum and aim for the 50%FR (RM2.53) and 61.8%FR (RM2.64) going forward, while key support from the lower Bollinger band (RM2.17) and 31/10/23 low (RM2.08) limit downside risk. CelcomDigi will need sustained strength above the 38.2%FR (RM3.51) for upward momentum to challenge the 50%FR (RM3.68), with a confirmed breakout to aim for the 61.8%FR (RM3.85) ahead, while the lower Bollinger band (RM3.21) and 13/10/22 low (RM2.99) cushions downside.

News Bites

• UEM Sunrise Bhd has received development approval for its 0.49ha site in Perth, Australia for a mixed-use development with a potential gross development value of AUD450.0mn.

• Johor Plantations Group Bhd said it has appointed JL Projects Sdn Bhd as the project manager consortium for the construction of its integrated sustainable palm oil complex at Pasir Logok Estate, Johor, for RM31.0mn.

• AWC Bhd's unit, Ambang Wira Facilities Sdn Bhd, has secured a 5-year RM48.6mn maintenance and facilities management contract from the Works Department for the upkeep of Menara Seri Wilayah in Putrajaya.

• Datuk Doh Tee Leong has triggered a takeover offer for Mercury Industries Bhd after having purchased over half of the contractor's equity interest.

• Trive Property Group Bhd has proposed a share capital reduction to wipe out RM85.0mn of the company's accumulated losses.

• EA Technique (M) Berhad has secured three contract extensions valued at RM63.9mn from Petronas.

• Sapura Energy Bhd has applied for its fourth extension of time, another six months until May 31, 2025, to submit its plan to regularise its financial condition.

• Nestcon Bhd has accepted a letter of award worth RM31.6mn from Mightyprop Sdn Bhd for the rock blasting and other general works in Damansara Perdana, Selangor.

• OM Holdings Limited confirmed that an incident took place at its manganese alloys smelter complex in Sarawak, Malaysia, on November 17, 2024, and preliminary assessments indicated minimal damage to the furnace workshop.

• MMAG Holdings Bhd has been granted a waiver by Bursa Securities, exempting it from being classified as an affected listed company under Guidance Note 3.

• RAM Rating Services Bhd has affirmed Manulife Holdings Bhd's corporate credit ratings of AA2/Stable/P1.

• Berjaya Corporation Bhd has disposed of 32.0mn shares representing about 4.1% equity interest in REDtone Digital Bhd for RM29.8mn or 93sen/share.

• Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd's net profit surged 76.7% YoY to RM18.3mn in 2QFY25, from RM10.4mn a year earlier, driven by stronger sales from both consumer business and industrial business segments, and lower raw material costs.

• TMC Life Sciences Bhd saw its net profit for 1QFY25 plunged 80.6% YoY to RM2.9mn from RM15.1mn a year ago, as the healthcare group posted a lower revenue while its staff costs and other operating expenses rose.

• I-Bhd's net profit jumped 134.7% YoY to RM12.9mn in 3QFY24, from RM5.5mn a year earlier, thanks to higher contributions across all business segments.

• Bank of Japan governor Kazuo Ueda said the economy was progressing towards sustained wages-driven inflation and warned against keeping borrowing costs too low, leaving open the chance of another interest rate hike as early as next month.

• Shanghai said on Monday it would reduce some taxes on real estate transactions from Dec 1, a move designed to support the property market in China's second-largest city.

• Singapore's non-oil domestic exports fell by 4.6% on a y-o-y basis in October as non-electronics exports fell while electronics exports grew.

Source: TA Research - 19 Nov 2024