Review & Outlook

Bursa Malaysia shares slid on Monday, as investors assessed China's inflation data which pointed to further economic weakness, underlining the need for more drastic policy stimulus. The FBM KLCI eased off 1.82 points to end at the day's high of 1,611.43, off an early low of 1,602.94, as losers beat gainers 662 to 433 on modest turnover totaling 3.02bn shares worth RM2.4bn.

Investors will likely remain sidelined as they await a slew of interest rate announcements from key central banks across the globe this week, along with any stimulus measures from Beijing's Central Economic Work Conference. Immediate index resistance remains at 1,628, next 1,648, followed by the September peak of 1,675. Immediate support stays 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.

Supermax should pullback for profit-taking correction from the recent rally, with key chart supports at 89sen, 80sen, and 70sen cushioning downside, while upside is seen capped at RM1.10 and RM1.20. Similarly, profit-taking interest should cap a further rally on Top Glove, given overbought momentum and significant resistance capping upside near RM1.40 and RM1.50, while crucial support at RM1.10 and RM1.00 limits downside.

News Bites

• Malaysia's unemployment rate stood at 3.2% in October, a level generally considered as full employment, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said in a statement.

• Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Sembcorp Power Pte Ltd have signed an agreement for the supply of 50MW of renewable energy to Singapore.

• Malaysian wireless carrier Axiata Group Bhd and Indonesian conglomerate PT Sinar Mas Group are nearing an agreement to merge their telecommunications operations in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

• Hartalega Holdings Bhd has declared a special single-tier dividend of 10.85sen/share for the financial year ending 31 March 2025.

• UEM Sunrise Bhd has received planning permit approval for a A$277.8mn (RM784.8mn) build-to-rent development in Collingwood, Melbourne, Australia.

• TMC Life Bhd shareholders have voted to remove its suspended chief executive officer Wan Nadiah Wan Mohd Abdullah Yaakob as the director of the healthcare provider, effective immediately.

• Globetronics Technology Bhd is exploring a potential collaboration with Invest-in-Penang Bhd for the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ initiative.

• Paragon Globe Bhd has mutually agreed to terminate its MOU with Solarvest Holdings Bhd to explore a renewable energy-focused industrial development, following the group's sale of land to a data centre company.

• GFM Services Bhd has signed an agreement to explore a stake in oiland-gas services firm Shapadu Energy Sdn Bhd for an indicative RM30.0mn cash.

• Gagasan Nadi Cergas Bhd's unit, Nadi Emery (KKD2) Sdn Bhd, has secured a development rights agreement for a RM1.0bn GDV affordable housing project in Kwasa Damansara, from Employees Provident Fund's unit Kwasa Land Sdn Bhd.

• Managepay Systems Bhd has proposed a rights issue of one new share for every two shares held, to raise up to RM51.6mn to fund ongoing and future projects.

• Haily Group Bhd has accepted a letter of award from Meridin East Sdn Bhd for the construction and completion of 168 units of double storey terrace houses in Johor Baru, worth RM38.2mn.

• Vanzo Holdings Bhd said that the 23.3mn shares made available to the Malaysian public for its IPO were oversubscribed by 66.7 times.

• Carlo Rino Group Bhd's initial public offering was oversubscribed by 18.4 times ahead of its listing transfer from the LEAP Market to the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

• China's top leaders plan to loosen monetary policy and expand fiscal spending next year, as Beijing braces for a second trade war when Donald Trump takes office next month.

• China's consumer price index rose 0.2% YoY in November, below the 0.3% increase in October and a 0.5% rise forecast in a Reuters poll of economists.

• Japan's economy expanded at a faster than expected annualised pace of 1.2% in 3Q24, thanks to upward revisions in capital investment and exports, keeping alive market expectations for a near-term interest rate hike by the central bank.

Source: TA Research - 10 Dec 2024