KUALA LUMPUR (March 11): Genting Bhd and Genting Malaysia Bhd (GenM)'s share prices rose today from their readjusted ex-dividend closing share prices yesterday as both companies' shares trade ex-dividend today. At noon market break today, Genting ended 5.5 sen or 1.09% higher at RM5.11 from its readjusted ex-dividend closing share price of RM5.05 yesterday. Meanwhile, GenM climbed 4.5 sen or 1.47% to RM3.12 from its readjusted ex-dividend closing share price of RM3.06 yesterday. Both companies, which are involved in casino and hotel operations, earlier proposed to each pay a special dividend of 8.5 sen a share to reward shareholders. Genting registered a net loss for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2020 due to the adverse impact of Covid-19, in particular in respect of the group’s leisure and hospitality division, it said in its annual audited accounts posted on Bursa. The impact caused unprecedented disruptions to GenM that resulted in the temporary closure of its resort operations worldwide from mid-March 2020 in compliance with the respective governments’ directives, it said. To mitigate the impact of the pandemic, GenM had reduced its operating costs following the re-calibration of the group’s operating structure and right-sizing of its workforce. It has also leveraged on governments’ supported schemes introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to manage its cash flow and liquidity requirements during this difficult period. To shore up liquidity, Genting Malaysia group’s operations in the US has successfully completed the US$525 million offering of 3.3% five-year senior notes due 2026, in February 2021. The proceeds from the senior notes will be used to refinance the existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes,” it said, adding that the group would have sufficient cash flows to fulfil its obligations and finance its ongoing operations. GenM said it expects business operations to gradually return to normal operating levels, aided by the progressive roll-out of mass vaccination programmes globally.
The Fed could be a catalyst for bonds, and that could drive growth stocks in week ahead
(PUBLISHED FRI, MAR 12 20215:26 PM EST)
~ The bond market is once more the wild card for the stock market. It could rein in any gains in tech or growth stocks if yields continue to rise in the week ahead.
~ The Federal Reserve meets Tuesday and Wednesday. While it’s not expected to take any action, it could be a catalyst for a move in yields.
~ Value and cyclicals could continue to lead the market, as investors bet the vaccine rollout and fiscal stimulus will help the economy’s reopening.
Bonds could be volatile in the week ahead. If yields go higher, that could make it difficult for big tech and other growth stocks to gain traction.
Rising bond yields have been challenging growth stocks. Names like Apple, Tesla, and Amazon have been lagging as investors move to cyclical groups that do well in an economic recovery. Even so, the S&P 500 and the Dow both closed at record highs Friday, while the Nasdaq Composite was lower.
The Nasdaq, home to big tech, did gain 3% in the past week, but it is down 5.5% over the last month.
The bond market in the coming week will likely take its cues from the Federal Reserve, which meets Tuesday and Wednesday.
The central bank is expected to give a nod to much better growth. Bond pros are also watching to see whether Fed officials will tweak their interest rate outlook, which now does not include any rate hikes through 2023.
Fed ahead
“The markets have way too high expectations around what the Fed is going to do or say,” said Gregory Peters, head of multi-sector and strategy at PGIM Fixed Income. “I think the message is going to be consistent.”
He said Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is likely to sound dovish and is unlikely to give any time frames on when the central bank will change its bond-buying program or other policy.
Bond yields, which move opposite price, have been rising on an improving outlook for the economy.
That trade also showed up in the stock market, with the Dow up 4% for the week to end Friday at a record 32,778. Consumer discretionary stocks, which include retail, were among the best performers, up 5.7%, boosted by optimism that individuals will spend their $1,400 stimulus checks.
Yields were higher Friday after President Joe Biden said all adults would be eligible for a vaccine by May 1. The 10-year Treasury yield touched a high of 1.642% — its highest level in more than a year.
It is the key rate to watch since it affects mortgages and other consumer and business loans.
“The economy is going to be unbelievably strong this year — deficit spending, reopening, vaccines,” said Peters of PGIM.
“It looks like for next year, all the numbers are being revised higher,” he said. “So this thing could have some sustainable growth, so I think there’s going to be pressure on rates moving higher.”
Bond yields rose sharply over the past month. The rapid pace of the move has made stocks jittery as investors adjust to higher rates. The 10-year Treasury yield was at 1.16% on Feb. 12.
Growth vs. cyclicals
Over the last month, energy stocks have risen nearly 20%, financial stocks are up 10.2%, and industrials are up 7%. The S&P technology sector is down 5.4% over the last month, and communications services, which includes internet names was up 0.8%.
Higher rates are a challenge for tech and other growth stocks because those shares are expensive and have high price-earnings ratios.
“When rates are very low, valuations don’t matter to people,” said Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at Bleakley Global Advisors.
“If rates are low, there’s no penalty,” he said. “If rates start to go up, people become much more sensitive to valuations, and that’s what we’ve seen here.”
Scott Redler, partner with T3live.com, follows short-term stock market technicals and trades many of the growth stocks. Lately, however, he’s found himself sitting in many value names and cyclicals.
US surpasses 100M vaccinations; IRS begins sending first round of $1,400 relief payments: COVID-19 updates
USA TODAY
The U.S. on Friday reported administering its 100 millionth COVID-19 vaccine as the World Health Organization reported 300 million global shots have been given.
About 1 in 4 U.S. adults have received at least one shot, and about 1 in 10 is fully vaccinated, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An average of 2.2 million doses are being administered per day, up from about 1 million doses a day in mid-January.
Ramping up vaccinations is key to President Joe Biden's goal of friends and families being able to join together in small groups for Fourth of July celebrations. "July 4th with your loved ones is the goal," Biden said Thursday, stressing that "a lot can happen. Conditions can change."
Dow futures rise as stocks point to strong open on Monday
(PUBLISHED SUN, MAR 14 20216:02 PM EDTUPDATED SUN, MAR 14 20217:42 PM EDT)
U.S. stock futures moved higher in overnight trading and pointed to gains at the open on Monday, continuing last week’s rally that led the Dow and S&P 500 to record highs.
Dow futures rose 120 points. S&P 500 futures gained 0.25% and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.2%.
Stocks rose last week with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 4% and the S&P 500 gaining 2.6%. The S&P 500 and the Dow both closed at record highs Friday.
The Nasdaq Composite advanced 3% last week, despite a sell-off on Friday spurred by rising interest rates. The jump in bond yields has challenged growth stocks in recent weeks and sent investors into cyclical pockets of the market. The Nasdaq is up less than 1% this month, while the Dow and S&P are up 6% and 3.5%, respectively.
The U.S. 10-year Treasury hit its highest level in more than a year on Friday. The benchmark Treasury note reached 1.642%, its highest level since February 2020.
The small-cap benchmark Russell 2000 surged more than 7% last week as investors rotated into smaller stocks that benefit from a sharp economic comeback.
Last week, investors cheered the $1.9 trillion stimulus package that President Joe Biden signed into law. The IRS started processing $1,400 direct payments on Friday and checks started hitting bank accounts over the weekend. The bill will also put nearly $20 billion into Covid-19 vaccinations and $350 billion into state, local and tribal government relief.
Investors will be gearing up for Tuesday and Wednesday’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting where the Federal Reserve will deliver its decision on interest rates. The bond market in the coming week will likely take its cues from the Federal Reserve.
The central bank is expected to acknowledge much better growth in the economy. Bond pros are also watching to see whether Fed officials will tweak their interest rate outlook, which now does not include any rate hikes through 2023.
Goldman Sachs chief economist David Kostin told clients on Sunday that he expects interest rates to continue to rise in the coming months and investors will have to “continually grapple with the anxiety about economic overheating and Fed tightening.”
On the vaccine front, Biden announced last week that he would direct states to make all adults eligible for the vaccine by May 1. Biden also set a goal for Americans to be able to gather in person with their friends and loved ones in small groups to celebrate the Fourth of July.
'The World Is Not Enough' of vaccines. With 'No Time To Die', 'Dr No' worked endlessly with the 'SPECTRE' organization in formulating the Covid-19 vaccine. With better than expected 'For Your Eyes Only' results, the doctor has rolled out the 'You Only Live Twice' vaccination shots. 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', Britain has started the vaccination last December. 'From Russia with Love', Moscow doctor has became 'The Man with the Golden Gun' with its Sputnik V shot.
In 'The Living Daylights', the 'GoldenEye' i3 members have selected 'Casino Royale' as their chips. They have ignored the 'Live and Let Die' & 'Die Another Day' QR result by declaring 'Never Say Never Again' to the hilltop resort. From the 'Goldfinger' of institutional fund, the chips rode on 'Moonraker' & skyrocketed amid some occasional 'Thunderball'. Many kiasu naysayers that do not have 'Licence to Kill' are now eyeing water fish & 'Octopussy' with 'A View To A Kill' by posting Kiasi comment & pretending to be 'The Spy Who Loved Me'.
Stay invested, all must believe 'Diamonds Are Forever' & 'Tomorrow Never Dies'. Always buy on dip to ensure that you won't 'Skyfall' and felt 'Quantum of Solace' with the fluctuating market.
Yeap, genting result won't be good this qtr or even next qtr, we are buying for the future earnings. Wonder what is the latest development since Mashpee won the court battle on the land trust...
This book is the result of the author's many years of experience and observation throughout his 26 years in the stockbroking industry. It was written for general public to learn to invest based on facts and not on fantasies or hearsay....
Goldgent
1,348 posts
Posted by Goldgent > 2021-03-12 22:09 | Report Abuse
2nd SBB (Shares Buy Back)!
https://klse.i3investor.com/insider/company/shareBuyback/4715/12-Mar-2021/70948_858488296.jsp