KLCI inches higher at mid-morning, brushes off concerns after Bersih rally

KUALA LUMPUR (April 30): The FBM KLCI brushed off events over last weekend arising from the Bersih 3.0 rally and inched higher on Monday, in line with the gains at most regional markets, lifted by select blue chips in early trade.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI was up 3.64 points to 1,571.44.

Gainers led losers by 184 to 151, while 202 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 183.93 million shares valued at RM115.43 million.

Asian shares inched higher on Monday as weaker-than-expected U.S. growth data left open the possibility for more monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve, but trading will likely be subdued with Japanese and Chinese markets closed, according to Reuters.

Global stocks ended higher on Friday on strong earnings reports, while the dollar dipped as data showed growth in the U.S. economy cooled in the first quarter to a 2.2% annual growth rate, below a 2.5% forecast, feeding views that the Fed could ease policy further to boost growth, it said.

At the regional markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.12% to 20,973.80, South Korea’s Kospi added 0.44% to 1,984.09, while Singapore’s Straits Times index fell 0.20% to 2,975.60 and Taiwan’s Taiex shed 0.27% to 7,460.38.

Maybank Investment Bank Bhd in a market strategy note Monday maintained its Neutral stance on the FBM KLCI and said it expects the market to continue pricing in political concerns ahead of the 13th General Elections (13GE).

It said last Saturday's Bersih 3.0 rally had thrown up the possibility of the 13GE being deferred.

“On the external front, renewed concerns over the Eurozone imply heightened volatility again for equity markets.

“Against such a backdrop, we expect domestic equities to stay range bound ahead of the 13GE, and advise investors to stay selective in their picks,” it said.

BIMB Securities Research said on Monday that in the US solid corporate earnings, improving economic growth and employment had kept investors upbeat on equities hence the higher closing for the Dow Jones Industrial Average at 13,228 (+24 points).

Meanwhile European bourses all closed higher possible on a rebound after an eventful week, it said.

“We believe this as a lull before the storm as the situation in Spain is ripe for traders to manufacture more volatility ahead.

“To recap, the country recently was downgraded by the S&P and recently reported its unemployment rate of 24.4% for 1Q12 should become as a main target to derail sentiments, it said.

The research house said Asian markets were weaker possibly spooked by the situation in Spain amid profit taking activities.

“Locally, the FBM KLCI fell almost 12 points to 1,567 ahead of the Bersih 3.0 Rally as investors continue to pare down their holdings.

“We believe outlook for the local bourse has deteriorated for the 2Q12 unless corporate earnings for the 1Q excel. Next support is seen at 1,560,” it said.

Among the gainers on Bursa Malaysia at mid-morning, Chin Teck added 29 sen to RM9.30, Aeon Credit and Petronas Dagangan up 22 sen each to RM10.38 and RM19.28, Tasek 21 sen to RM8.76, UMW and Carlsberg 14 sen each to RM7.97 and RM11.62, Genting PLANTATION []s 13 sen to RM9.52, Toyo Ink and KLK 12 sen each to RM1.53 and RM23.82, while Petra Energy added 11 sen to RM1.27.

Utopia was the most actively traded counter with 178.28 million shares done. The stock was unchanged at 8.5 sen.

Other actives included DRB-Hicom, XDL, CSL, Berjaya Corp. Daya Materials, Metronic and Oversea.

Decliners included PacificMas, Bumi armada, Dutch Lady, IJM Plantations, Sarawak Plantations, Batu Kawan, GAB and Gadang.



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Stocks to watch WZ Steel, Pensonic, Bumi Armada, Chin Teck

KUALA LUMPUR (APRIL 28): The FBM KLCI is expected to trend lower next week in response to rising solvency risk and borrowing cost in Europe (Spain & Italy) and rising local political uncertainties.

On the local scene, the outcome of the Bersiih 3.0 rally, and how the ruling Barisan Nasonal government handles the issue will also play heavily on investor sentiment.

U.S. stocks advanced on Friday and posted their best weekly gains in a month as stronger-than-expected earnings from Amazon.com and Expedia Inc reinforced confidence in corporate performance, according to Reuters.

Wall Street managed a fourth day of gains as the strong earnings season outweighed a surprisingly weak reading on first-quarter economic growth, it said.

Next week's release of a slew of economic data on the U.S. labor market and the beginning of the latter half of corporate earnings will be keenly watched to see if they are enough to allow stocks to break above the recent trading range, it said.

Affin Investment Bank Bhd vice president and head of retail research Dr Nazri Khan said he expects the FBM KLCI to trend lower in response to rising solvency risk and borrowing cost in Europe (Spain & Italy) and rising local political uncertainties.

“Despite positive comments from the USA Fed on possible monetary stimulus, a weaker than expected read on April Euro zone sentiment and rising European bond yield seemed to bring struggling European growth and debt concerns back into focus.

“Following Standard & Poor's downgrade of Spain's long-term sovereign credit rating by two notches (from A to BBB+ with a negative outlook), we expect more selling to weigh on European equities and increase the risk-off appetite for German Bunds and USA Treasuries,” he said.

Among the stocks that could be in focus are WZ Steel Bhd, PENSONIC HOLDINGS BHD [], Bumi Armada Bh and CHIN TECK PLANTATION []S BHD [].

WZ Steel Bhd is acquiring an industrial land in Indonesia’s West Java province for IDR 14.58 billion (RM5.02 million) to build a new factory in the neighbouring country.

In a statement Friday, WZ Steel said it is buying the leasehold tract within the Delta Silicon industrial area in the Lippo Cikarang enclave, from Indonesia-based property developer PT Lippo Cikarang Tbk.

Pensonic Holdings Bhd posted a third quarter net loss on higher as higher revenue failed to mitigate the impact of rising operating cost for the electrical and electronic appliances manufacturer.

Pensonic said net loss came to RM1.14 million in the quarter ended February 29, 2012 against RM896,000 a year earlier. Revenue grew 7% to RM85.08 million from RM79.65 million.

“The decrease was mainly due to lower margin recorded as a result of active promotional activities carried out and also the increases in administration, selling and distribution expenses in current quarter for future expansion,” it said.Bumi Armada Bhd in response to news reports that Ananda was paring down his stake said that enquiries with its major shareholders and directors, it clarified that Ombak Damai Sdn Bhd, Wijaya Sinar Sdn Bhd and Karisma Mesra Sdn Bhd had participated in a book-building exercise conducted by CIMB Investment Bank Bhd .

It said Ombak Damai had participated with 9 million, while Ombak Damai and Karisma Mesra with a joint 284 million shares respectively, accounting for a total of 293 million Bumi Armada shares.

The Edge Financial Daily on Friday reported that Tycoon Ananda Krishnan and his bumiputera partners will sell roughly 15% of offshore services provider Bumi Armada Bhd in private placements to local and foreign institutional investors in a deal that will raise close to RM2 billion.

Financial executives involved in the placement told The Edge Financial Daily that the sale of roughly 440 million shares in Bumi Armada would cut the joint holdings of Ananda and his bumiputera partners to 55% in the company.

Chin Teck net profit for the second quarter ended Feb 29 2012 fell 33.58% to RM9.19 million from RM13.83 million a year earlier due mainly to substantial decrease in profit contribution from its associates.

The company said on Friday that its revenue for the quarter fell 2.44% to RM28.22 million from RM28.93 million in 2011 due to lower average selling prices of FFB, crude palm oil and palm kernel.

For the six moths ended Feb 29, Chin Teck’s net profit fell to RM24.48 million from RM2998 million on the back of revenue of RM60.69 million.



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Chin Teck 2Q net profit falls 33.58% to 9.19m

KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): CHIN TECK PLANTATION []S BHD [] net profit for the second quarter ended Feb 29 2012 fell 33.58% to RM9.19 million from RM13.83 million a year earlier due mainly to substantial decrease in profit contribution from its associates.

The company said on Friday that its revenue for the quarter fell 2.44% to RM28.22 million from RM28.93 million in 2011 due to lower average selling prices of FFB, crude palm oil and palm kernel.

Earnings per share fell to 10.05 sen from 15.14 sen, while net assets per share was RM6.62.

For the six moths ended Feb 29, Chin Teck’s net profit fell to RM24.48 million from RM2998 million on the back of revenue of RM60.69 million,.



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KLCI closes higher, but stays shy of 1,600-mark

KUALA LUMPUR (APRIL 10): The FBM KLCI closed higher on Tuesday, but stayed shy of the 1600-point mark as investor sentiment appeared to be cautious given the concerns over data that came from the US and China.

Regional markets were mostly mixed on Tuesday, as investors remained cautious after Chinese trade data showed the world's second largest economy may be able to achieve a soft landing but global growth concerns lingered given the sharp slowdown in U.S. job creation, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, European stocks posted sharp early losses on Tuesday and German government bond yields hit their lowest levels since September, as investors returning from a holiday weekend cut their exposure to risky assets after surprisingly weak March U.S. jobs data, it said.

The FBM KLCI rose 5.89 points to 1,597.17. It had earlier risen to its intra-day high of 1,598.53.

Gainers overtook losers by 365 to 332, while 33 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.11 billion shares valued at RM1.58 billion.

The worries about the health of the giant U.S. economy overshadowed positive trade numbers from Germany and China, with both nations enjoying strong export growth, although weak Chinese import numbers took some of the gloss off the data, said Reuters.

At the regional markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.15% to 20,356.24, Japan’s Nikkei 225 shed 0.09% to 9,538.02, and South Korea’s Kospi was down 0.13% to 1,994.41.

The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.88% to 2,305.86, Taiwan’s Taiex gained 0.52% to 7,640.68 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index up 0.59% to 2,977.70.

On Bursa Malaysia, Country View was the top gainer and rose 29.5 sen to 95.5 sen, Tradewinds PLANTATION []s added 26 sen to RM5.71, Genting rose 24 sen to RM11.08, Tradewinds added 24 sen to RM10.16, Batu Kawan 20 sen to RM18.74, BLD Plantations 19 sen to RM9.39, Chin Teck 14 sen to RM9.20, KPJ and SMPC up 13 sen each to RM5.29 and RM2.49, while Carlsberg added 12 sen to RM10.86.

Naim Indah Corp was the most actively traded counter with 69.82 million shares done. The stock gained one sen to 54 sen.

Other actives included DiGi, Metronic, KBES, Tiger Synergy, CSL, DPS, Ariantec and Managed Pay.

Meanwhile, decliners included Aeon, Sarawak Oil Palms, GBH, Advanced Packaging, GAB, Amtek, Malpac, Panasonic, UAC and Inno.



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FBM KLCI slips at mid-day break, but hovers above 1,590-level

KUALA LUMPUR (April 9): The FBM KLCI slipped into negative territory on Monday, in line with the waning sentiment at key regional markets, following a drop in US jobs growth that was reported last week.

Among the better performers on Bursa Malaysia in the morning session was newly-listed EITA Resources Bhd.

The FBM KLCI lost 4.66 points to 1,594.21 at 12.30pm.

Market breadth was weaker with 378 losers and 185 gainers, while 264 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 578.5 million shares valued at RM420.14 million.

The ringgit weakened 0.29% to 3,0728 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery rose M13 per tonne to RM3,590, crude oil fell US$1.19 per barrel to US$101.12 while gold added US$2.05 an ounce to US$1,638.47.

Asian shares fell on Monday as a sharp slowdown in U.S. jobs growth raised concerns about the strength of the world's largest economy, prompting investors to curb risk exposure ahead of more U.S. data and earnings as well as figures from China this week, according to Reuters.

BIMB Securities Research in a note Monday said it would be a stop start scenario for equities this week following a weaker than expected job data for March in the US.

Therefore, investors and traders alike will reassess their risk/reward propositions before making more commitments, it said.

As of now, the lack of fresh catalysts will be the main excuse as well as the resurrection of Eurozone’s debt situation to be road bumps ahead for equity markets.

Then again, if both the US and China are to lean towards monetary easing, these may set the markets abuzz again.

For now, we can expect loads of fence sitters.

“Locally, the FBM KLCI failed to breach the 1,600 mark despite adding another 5 points to end the week at almost 1,599.

“For now, the lack of direction with some regional markets closed, we would expect a lacklustre market today with the immediate support seen at 1,590,” it said.

ON Bursa Malaysia, BAT fell 74 sen to RM54.72, Petronas Dagangan 30 sen to RM18.54, BLD PLANTATION []s fell 19 sen to RM9.21, KLK down 14 sen to RM24.50, GAB and Public Bank lost 12 sen each to RM12.96 and RM13.68, Chin Teck lost nine sen to RM9.06 while TDM was down eight sen to RM4.87.

Naim Indah Corp was the most actively traded counter with 81.28 million shares done. The stock fell three sen to 54 sen.

Other actives included EITA that rose 10.5 sen to 86.5 sen wth 30 millin shares traded.

Other actively traded stocks included DVM, Tiger Synergy, Time, SuperComNet, Metronic, Karambunai and Focus.

Gainers included Aeon, SMPC, KLuang, Dutch Lady, Eita, Hartalega, Nationwide, Parkson, Johore Tin and Nestle.



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KLCI reverses gains, slips into negative territory

KUALA LUMPUR (March 26): The FBM KLCI slipped and closed in negative territory on Monday in line with most of the key regional markets that reversed their earlier gains and fell in later trade, extending losses after weak PMI reports last week stoked fears that China's economy was slowing and the euro zone is sliding into recession.

The FBM KLCI fell 2.85 points to close at 1,582.98, weighed by losses at index-linked PLANTATION [] stocks and select blue chips including Tenaga and MISC.

At the regional markets, Taiwan’s Taiex lost 1.35% to 7,967.62, South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.38% to 2,019.19, Singapore’s Straits Times Index xx, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.07% to 10,018.24, the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.05% to 2,350.690 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index closed flat at 20,0668.86.

Meanwhile, European shares rose on Monday in a technical bounce, after recording their steepest weekly loss since the start of the year, as investors searched for bargains and positioned themselves for a potential strong German Ifo figure.

On Bursa Malaysia, Carlsberg was the top loser and fell 26 sen to RM10.20, Jaya Tiasa 22 seen to RM8.08, Chin teck Plantations fell 20 sen to RM9.10, Warisan down 19 sen to RM2.41, Tenaga lost 18 sen to RM6.50, JT International and Litrak lost 16 sen each to RM6.60 and RM3.94, Far East 15 sen to RM7.40 while AirAsia fell 13 sen to RM3.46.

Among plantations, Genting Plantations lost 22 sen to RM9.25, while KLK and IOI Corp fell four sen each to RM23.86 and RM5.34.

Among the gainers, Dutch Lady added 42 sen to RM31.40, SMPC up 28 sen to RM1.84, Aeon 25 sen to RM9.40, BAT 20 sen to RM54, Supercomnet added 19.5 sen to 49.5 sen, PUC and Hartalega 14 sen each to 29 sen and RM8.09, Unisem 13 sen to RM1.46, HLFG 12 sen to RM12.12 while Malayan Flour Mills was up 11 sen to RM4.44.

The actives included Focus, metronic, Supercomnet, Ariantec, Naim Indah Corp, Flonic and Karambunai.



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KLCI ends week on positive note

KUALA LUMPUR (March 23): The FBM KLCI ended the week on a positive note, lifted by gains at select blue chips including Bat, Genting and Petronas Gas, bucking the regional markets

The KLCI closed 2.59 points higher at 1,585.83 but the broader market showed some weakness as losers beat gainers 520 to 282, while 317 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 2.0 billion shares valued RM1.41 billion.

Crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery rose RM80 per tonne to RM,3,422.

Meanwhile, world stocks held steady below this week's eight-month peak on Friday while the dollar fell broadly as concerns about growth in China and the euro zone and a renewed focus on sovereign debt problems in Italy and Spain kept investors cautious, according to Reuters.

At the regional markets, the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index fell 1.11% to 20,668.80, Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 1.14% to 10,011.47, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.10% to 2,349.54, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.04% to 2,026.83 and Taiwan’s Taiex rose 0.21% to 8,076.61.

On Bursa Malaysia, Jaya Tiasa was up 61 sen to RM8.30, BAT 50 sen to RM53.80, Dutch Lady up 38 sen to RM30.98, Genting 24 sen to RM11, Chin Teck and MAHB up 20 sen each to RM9.30 and RM5.97, Petronas Gas 18 sen to RM16.70, Lipo 16 sen to RM1.20 and Lafarge Malayan Cement 14 sen to RM7.20.

Metronic was the most actively traded counter with 181.72 million shares done. The stock fell 4.5 sen to 21 sen.

Other actives included Ingenuity Solutions, Trinity, Ariantec, SAAG, Naim Indah Corp, Flonic, Astral Supreme and JCY.

Decliners on Friday included Ta Win Holdings, WSR shares and warrants, Kulim, S P Setia, Tasek, Milux, Mercury and Deleum.



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Investors take profit, KLCI down more than 8 pts

KUALA LUMPUR : The FBM KLCI fell in the morning session on Tuesday as investors locked in profits from a liquidity driven rally which saw the 30-stock index nearing the all-time high of 1,597 in July 2011.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was down 0.52% or 8.34 points to 1,580.88, dragged down mainly by telecommunication and banking stocks. The KLCI had briefly touched 1,594.72 on Monday. Turnover was 598 million shares worth RM621 million. Losers beat gainers 488 to 155 while 313 counters were unchanged.

Key regional markets fell with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index down 1.5% to 20,947.9 and Australia’s S&P / ASX 200 which was down 1.22% to 4,210.8. South Korea’s Kospi 1.17% lower at 1992.53 while Singapore’s Straits Times lost 1.12% to 2,958.23.

At Bursa Malaysia, top gainers include Asia File which added 15 sen to RM3.90, C.I. HOLDINGS BHD [] 14 sen to RM1.49 while CHIN TECK PLANTATION []S BHD [] was up 10 sen to RM9.10.

Decliners included BAT, which lost 48 sen to RM52.36, PPB 30 sen to RM16.64 while Nestle was down 20 sen to RM55.70.

Most active was China Stationery Ltd which traded unchanged at RM1.08 with some 34 million shares done.

OSK Research director Chris Eng said the new target for the KLCI was 1,620 towards the end of this year. This was derived from the average 2012 and 2013 fair values at 1,466 and 1,775 respectively.

“While we remain unconvinced of the current rally’s fundamentals and still see a risk of market correction, news flow with regards to large infrastructure investments should help the KLCI post a stronger 2H2012,” Eng said.



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Market mixed midday, concerns over high oil price

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 27): Blue chips were higher at midday on Monday, buoyed by CIMB and Telekom but the broader market was mixed as investors’ sentiment was cautious about the impact of higher oil prices on the global economy.

The FBM KLCI rose 2.66 points to 1,561.43. Turnover was 851.34 million shares valued at RM730.13 million. There were 340 gainers, 330 losers and 310 stocks unchanged.

Brent crude eased slightly but stayed around 10-month highs above US$125 per barrel amid escalating tension over Iran's disputed nuclear programme, according to Reuters. Investors concerns were whether it could break through US$130.

US light crude oil fell 40 cents to US$109.37. Crude palm oil prices for third-month delivery rose RM20 to RM3,296 per tonne. The ringgit weakened against the US dollar to 3.0162.

Key regional markets which fell included Japan’s Nikkei 225, South Korea’s Kospi and Singapore’s Straits Times – three countries which are heavily dependent on imported crude oil.

At Bursa Malaysia, Dutch Lady rose RM1.70 to RM27.50 and Carlsberg 35 sen to RM9.80 while Guinness Anchor added 16 sen to RM9.10. Among PLANTATION []s, Batu Kawan added 24 sen to RM18.80 and Chin Tek 15 sen to RM9.10.

CIMB added eight sen to RM7.14, pushing up the KLCI by 1.41 points, Telekom added seven sen to RM5.15, nudging the KLCI up 0.59 of a point while AMMB’s six sen gain to RM6.09 pushed the index up by 0.42 of a point. RHB Capital rose 22 sen to RM7.88.

Naim Indah Corp was the most active with 99.48 million shares done, It added 3.5 sen to 55 sen. China Stationery rose 10 sen to RM1.20.

MBM Resources was the top loser, down 20 sen to RM4.42 on profit taking and also concerns about earnings per share dilution from its proposed rights issue.

BAT, SOP and MAHB lost 10 sen each to RM52.46, RM6.15 and RM5.70 respectively. Latexx fell 12 sen to RM1.56 and the warrants 10 sen to RM1.18.



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KLCI closes marginally lower

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 22): The FBM KLCI closed marginally lower, dragged down by PLANTATION [] stocks and doubts on Greece's ability to undertake austerity measures.

The FBM KLCI on Wednesday closed 3.26 points lower, or 0.21%, to close at 1.560.52, weighed down by plantation-related stocks — such as IOI Group (down 10 sen to RM5.34), PPB GROUP BHD [] (down 50 sen to RM17.14) and KLK (down 36 sen to RM23.64) — which brought the index down by 3.06 points.

A total of 2.32 billion shares were traded, valued at RM1.94 billion. Losers led gainers 541 to 302, while 298 counters traded unchanged.

Regionally, markets closed on a positive note, made upbeat by China's Production Manufacturing Index (PMI) numbers, which rose to 49.7 in February from 48.8 in January — the highest in four months.

Taiwan's Taiex was up 1.01% to 8,001.68, Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.96% to 9,554.00, Shanghai's Composite Index up 0.93% to 2,403.59, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.33% to 21,549.28, and South Korea's Kospi increased marginally by 0.22% to 2,028.65. However, Singapore's Straits Index fell 0.97% to 2,995.59.

On Bursa Malaysia, top gainers included DUTCH LADY MILK INDUSTRIES BHD [] (up 40 sen to RM25.80), TAHPS GROUP BHD [] (up 39 sen to RM4.80), and CHIN TECK PLANTATIONS BHD [] (up 34 sen to RM9).

Among top losers were HARRISONS HOLDINGS (M) BHD [] (down 53 sen to RM3.17), after it received a letter of demand from Kastam DiRaja Malaysia for unpaid excise, import and sales tax amounting RM91.75 million.

PPB Group Bhd also continued its losing streak after Wilmar International Ltd — the world's largest palm oil firm — released its 4Q11 results, which missed analyst estimates. The stock was down 50 sen to RM17.14.

Most actively traded on Wednesday included The Media Shoppe (down half a sen to 11 sen, with 221.5 million shares traded), Green Ocean Corporation Bhd (down 2.5 sen to 30 sen), and IFCA MSC BHD [] (up one sen to 14.5 sen).



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Market down, weighed by big cap plantations, Greece worries, high oil prices

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 22): Big cap PLANTATION [] stocks weighed on the 30-stock FBM KLCI in the morning session on Wednesday, with PPB emerging as the top loser.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was down 2.46 points to 1,561.32. Turnover was 1.15 billion shares valued at RM744.330 million, reflecting the lower quality of trading with interest seen in lower liners and penny stocks. There were 283 gainers, 450 losers and 287 stocks unchanged.

The broader market was cautious as investors were still nervous about Greece’s ability to stick to the austerity plan. High crude oil prices also posed another major concern, with Brent crude for April at US$121.21 a barrel and US crude for April at US$105.80 a barrel.

Regional markets were mostly higher with Japan’s Nikkei 225 up 0.77% to 9,536.34, Shanghai’s Composite Index added 0.45% to 2,392.16, Taiwan’s Taiex 0.92% to 7,994.53, South Korea’s Kospi 0.04% to 2,025.01. However, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.8% to 21,460.90 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index 0.43% lower at 3,012.06.

Crude palm oil third-month futures rose RM13 to RM3,281 while the ringgit weakened to 3.0255 to the US dollar.

PPB fell 46 sen to RM17.18, dragging the 30-stock KLCI down 0.86 of a point , IOI Corp fell five sen to RM5.39, pushing the index down 0.76 of a points while KLK fell 30 sen to RM23.70, shaving 0.5 of a point of the index.

Batu Kawan shed 32 sen to RM18.60 and Genting Plantations 15 sen to RM9.25. However, Chin Tek rose 24 sen to RM8.90 and Far East added 12 sen to RM7.40.

PPB’s 18.3% associate Wilmar International Ltd -- the world's largest listed palm oil firm -- reported fourth-quarter profit that missed analysts’ estimates.

BAT was the top loser, down 70 sen to RM52.30, Harrison 52 sen to RM3.18, Fima Corp 43 sen to RM6.32 and YTL Cement 26 sen to RM4.54. Loss-making Perwaja fell 14 sen to 77 sen.

Among the gainers were Dutch Lady, up 40 sen to RM25.80, RHB Cap 30 sen sen to RM7.85, Kris Assets 17 sen to RM6.60, F&N 16 sen to RM18, Hartalega 13 sen to RM7.89 and Genting 10 sen to RM10.84.



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Telcos give boost, as KLCI closes marginally higher

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 21): Telco stocks led the FBM KLCI to end on a higher note after a weak start earlier on Tuesday, and after Greece secured a second bailout from the European Central Bank (ECB).

The FBM KLCI on Tuesday was 3.94 points higher, or 0.21%, to close at 1,563.78, with telco stocks — like Maxis (up 17 sen to RM5.98), Axiata (up 4.0 sen to RM5.04) and Telekom (up 7.0 sen to RM4.93) — pushing the index up by 2.60 points.

Although it started on a weak footing, the index firmed up after the midday close, in line with regional bourses.

Volume traded was 1.89 billion shares, valued at RM1.75 billion. Losers led gainers 442 to 370, while 345 counters traded unchanged.

Regionally, markets closed on a positive note; however, Asian markets did not rally as expected, after Greece secured €130 billion (RM519.09 billion) for its second bailout.

"It's a relief for markets, broadly speaking, but it doesn't mean that this is the end of the line," said Thomas Lam, economist at DMG & Partners Securities in Singapore, in a report by Reuters. "It's a difficult process, but it's inching in the right direction."

Shanghai's Composite Index closed up 0.75% to 2,381.43, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.25% to 21,478.72, and Singapore's Straits Index increased marginally by 0.13% to 3,025.07. Japan's Nikkei 225 was down 0.23% to 9,463.02, Taiwan's Taiex fell 0.42% to 7,921.50, and South Korea's Kospi dropped 0.03% to 2,024.24.

On Bursa Malaysia, top gainers included United PLANTATION []s (up 70 sen to RM23.26), Panasonic Malaysia (up 68 sen to RM21.20), Fraser & Neave (up 26 sen to RM17.84), and MALPAC HOLDINGS BHD [] (up 25 sen to RM1.80).

Among top losers were British American Tobacco (down 90 sen to RM53.00), Dutch Lady (down 34 sen to RM25.40), CHIN TECK PLANTATIONS BHD [] (down 20 sen to RM8.66), KLK (down 14 sen to RM24.00), and Nestlé (down 12 sen to RM55.88).

The most actively traded stocks included IFCA MSC BHD [] (up 3.5 sen to 13.5 sen), Green Ocean (up 7.5 sen to 32.5 sen), and Naim Indah Corp (up 1 sen to 48.5 sen).



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Plantations mixed in early trade, United Plantations up, KLK down

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 21): Shares of PLANTATION [] stocks were mixed in early trade on Tuesday, after crude palm oil (CPO) futures hit an eight-month high of RM3,260 per tonne on Monday.

The FBM KLCI was down 1.47 points to 1,559.10. Turnover was 452.59 million shares valued at RM232.01 million. There were 203 gainers, 253 losers and 292 counters unchanged.

United Plantations was the top gainer, up 74 sen to RM23.50 after it reported a higher pre-tax profit of RM491.541 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2011 versus RM349.46 million in FY10. Revenue rose to RM1.385 billion from RM995.107 million

BLD Plantations added 23 sen to RM10.06.

However there was some profit taking, with Chin Tek down 20 sen to RM8.66.

Batu Kawan and KL Kepong, which are scheduled to announce their results this week, slipped as investors locked in gains. Batu Kawan fell 14 sen to RM18.80 and KLK six sen lower at RM24.08.



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Tenaga, Public Bank weigh on KLCI, at lowest since Feb 2

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): Shares of Tenaga Nasional and Public Bank weighed on the FBM KLCI on Thursday as investors became more cautious in line with the key regional markets, all of which were in the red.

Reuters reported that European shares fell and the euro eased to a three-week low on Thursday as a delay in a decision on a crucial bailout for Greece unnerved investors and prompted a halt in the rally for riskier assets like equities that has marked the start of 2012.

At 5pm, the KLCI was down 10.81 points or 0.69% to 1,550.49, the lowest since Feb 2. Turnover was 2.19 billion shares valued at RM1.97 billion.

The broader market showed more signs of weakness as the declining counters beat advancers 668 to 239, the largest margin in recent days, and putting a halt in the recent rally.

All key regional markets were in the red. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.24% to 9,238.10, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index 0.41% to 21,277.20, Shanghai’s Composite Index 0.42% to 2,356.86, Taiwan’s Taiex 1.69% to 7,869.70, South Korea’s Kospi 1.38% to 1,997.45 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index 1.14% to 2,977.20.

Light crude oil fell 69 cents to US$101.11. The ringgit weakened to 3.0592 against the US dollar.

At Bursa Malaysia, Tenaga fell 13 sen to RM6, pushing the KLCI down by 1.66 points.

Public Bank lost 12 sen to RM13.64, nudging the index down by 1.34 points, CIMB five sen to RM7.25 and Maybank three sen to RM8.50.

PLANTATION []s were also among the major decliners as crude palm oil third-month futures slipped RM8 to RM3,193 per tonne. KLK fell 58 sen to RM24.80, Batu Kawan 46 sen to RM19.52, Chin Tek and BLD Plantations 20 sen each to RM8.80 and RM10 while Sime Darby shed seven sen to RM9.54. However, United Plantations added 32 sen to RM22.66.

Among Petronas-related counters, Petronas Dagangan fell 40 sen to RM17.82 with volume seen picking up to 1.50 million shares done while Petronas Gas lost 28 sen to RM16.36.

Naim Indah Corp was the most active with 188.94 million shares done, up 3.5 sen to 55.5 sen. MUI PROPERTIES [] gained 7.5 sen to 22.5 sen and Compugates 0.5 sen to 11.5 sen.

Among the gainers were Dialog-WA, surging 31 sen to 65.5 sen while Cypark advanced 24 sen to RM1.87.



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KLCI dips, banks sees mild profit taking

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 13): Blue chips were marginally lower at midday on Monday, with some mild profit taking seen on bank stocks and Sime Darby, while key regional markets notches small gains after the Greek government approved an austerity bill to secure a second bailout.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was down 1.79 points to 1,559.87. During the past two weeks, the KLCI had gained nearly 40 points from the 1,521 on Jan 31.

Turnover was 1.62 billion shares valued at RM952.19 million. Decliners led advancers 402 to 350 while 321 stocks were unchanged.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.85% to 9,022.78, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.7% to 10,928.50, Shanghai’s Composite Index 0.14% to 2,355.19, Taiwan’s Taiex 0.43% to 7,896.11, South Korea’s Kospi 0.50% to 2,003.73 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index 0.31% to 2,969.1.

US light crude oil rose 93 cents to US$99.60 while Brent crude rose more than US$1 to US$118.35.

At Bursa Malaysia, among the index-linked stocks CIMB fell six sen to RM7.15, Maybank five sen to RM8.47, Public Bank four sen to RM13.96. Sime Darby lost three sen to RM9.64 and Air Asia three sen also to RM3.75.

Crude palm oil third-month futures rose RM28 to RM3,158. OSK Research said with inventory remaining above 2.0 million tonnes and CPO price being range bound, the rally has been driven by liquidity rather than fundamentals.

Far East was the top loser, down 24 sen to RM7.06, United PLANTATION []s 18 sen to RM21.82 and Chin Tek 10 sen to RM8.90.

Naim Indah Corp fell 7.5 sen to 59.5 sen with 125 million shares when it resumed trading after announcing a corporate exercise last Friday. The recent rally was seen as too steep, as the share price was chased up speculators.

Compugates was the most active with 211.66 million shares done, up 1.5 sen to 13.5 sen.

Tebrau Teguh added 5.5 sen to 94.5 sen as investors believed the company was more valuable than the 76 sen offer price made by Iskandar Waterfront Holdings Bhd (IWH).

BAT was the top gainer, adding 66 sen to RM50.96, Genting 20 sen to RM10.50 and MBSB 16 sen to RM2.39. IOI Corp added one sen to RM5.48 and MMHE two sen to RM5.60.



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KLCI extends losses, stays below 1,520-level

KUALA LUMPYR (Jan 19): The FBM KLCI extended its losses on Thursday and stayed below the 1,520-point level, lagging behind most Asian markets.

The index closed 0.57 of a point lower at 1,516.81.

Gainers edged losers by 378 to 370, while 325 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.94 billion shares valued at RM1.62 billion.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.31% to 2,296.08, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 1.3% to 19,942.95, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up 1.04% to 8,639.68, South Korea’s Kospi up 1.19% to 1,914.97 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.57% to 2,811.20.

On Bursa Malaysia, Y&G fell 23 sen to 77 sen, Batu Kawan lost 20 sen to RM18.66, Triplc and Genting down 18 sen each to 41.5 sen and RM10.82, Nadayu 12 sen to RM1.06, Southern Acids and Kossan 11 sen each to RM2.21 and RM3.50, Asia File nine sen to RM3.65 while Amway and BIMB lost eight sen each to RM9.40 and RM2.16.

Among the gainers, MPI jumped 36 sen to RM3.15 after RHB Research upgraded the stock to Market Perform (from underperform) and raised its target price to RM2.79.

Other gainers include APM Automotive that added 20 sen to RM4.68, Glenealy 18 sen to RM6.55, Chin Teck 16 sen to RM8.76, TDM 15 sen to RM3.97, Coastal Contracts 12 sen to RM2.05, whiel Knusford, Hong Leong Bank and BRDB added 10 sen each to RM1.70, RM11 and RM2.23 respectively.

DBE Gurney was the most actively traded counter with 314.65 million shares done. The stock jumped 2.5 sen to 13.5 sen.

Other actives included TMS, JCY, Axiata, MBSV, Nextnation, Telekom and BIMB.



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KLCI rises for third day, but gains limited

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 29): The FBM KLCI rose for the third day on Thursday and closed above the 1,500-point level, as the slight recovery at most regional markets and bargain hunting activities lifted the local bourse.

The FBM KLCI closed 2.58 points higher at 1,506.69.

Gainers led losers by 492 to 254, while 335 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.59 billion shares valued at RM1.16 billion.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.16% to 2,173.56, Taiwan’s Taiex gained 0.26% to 7,074.82, South Korea’s Kospi added 0.03% to 1,825.74 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.24% to 2,672.78.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.65% to 18,397.92 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 shed 0.29% to 8.398.89.

Meanwhile, European shares rose on Thursday in low volume, recovering from the previous session falls, on hope there would be demand at an Italian auction of long-term sovereign debt after the European Central Bank's three-year funding operation last week, according to Reuters.

On Bursa Malaysia, BAT rose 40 sen to RM49.60, RCI added 33 sen to RM1.80, Cocoaland gained 18 sen to RM2.18, RHB Capital and Sarawak Oil Palms added 17 sen each to RM7.30 and RM5.59, Panasonic gained 16 sen to RM20.02, JT International and Faber rose 15 sen each to RM7.15 and RM1.62, while Batu Kawan gained 14 sen to RM17.44.

Among the decliners, Nestle fell 70 sen to RM56, Box-Pak lost 24 sen to RM2.23, Chin Teck down 20 sen to RM8.79, Southern Acids and Tasek fell 15 sen each to RM2.15 and RM7.80, HLFG lost 12 sen to RM11.56, Perduren fell 10.5 sen 74.5 sen, while UMW and Supermax lost 10 sen each to RM6.85 and RM3.79.

Utopia was the most actively traded counter with 197.45 million shares done. The stock fell one sen to 6.5 sen.

Other actively traded stocks included Sanichi, Mulpha, JCY, KNM, Flonic and LFE Corp.



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KLCI closes marginally lower

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 16): The FBM KLCI closed marginally lower on Wednesday, Nov 16 as most key regional markets fell in line with the steep drop at the Shanghai and Hong Kong markets.

Hong Kong shares slumped on Wednesday, dragged down by weakness in Chinese insurers and property developers, with turnover low as investors became more averse to riskier assets on fears of contagion from Europe's festering debt crisis, according to Reuters.

The FBM KLCI shed 0.38 of a point to close at 1,476.84.

Losers led gainers by 462 to 322, while 286 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 2.03 billion shares valued at RM1.47 billion.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 2.48% to 2,466.96, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 2% to 18,960.90, South Korea’s Kospi was down 1.59% to 1,856.07, Taiwan’s Taiex lost 1.38% to 7,387.52, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.92% to 8,463.16 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index shed 0.15% to 2,807.44.

On Bursa Malaysia, Harvest Court securities were the top losers on resuming trade after Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd had on Monday declared the securities counter as a designated counter.

Harvest fell 64 sen to RM1.49 while its warrants lost 54 sen to RM1.27.

Among the other losers, Malayan Flour Mills lost 24 sen to RM7.54, Petronas Chemicals down 19 sen to RM6.21, Chin Teck PLANTATION []s and Nestle lost 18 sen each to RM8.25 and RM49.22, Genting Plantations and SYF Resources fell 15 sen each to RM7.97 and 60 sen, while Manulife was down 14 sen to RM2.81.

Compugates was the most actively traded counter with 79.9 million shares done. The stock added half a sen to 8 sen.

Other acties included DPS Resources, Tiger, Tricubes, Asia EP, TMC Life, SYF Resources and Ingenuity Solutions.

Among the gainers, Dutch Lady added 70 sen to RM22.50, Proton 32 sen to RM3.53, TDM and BAT 30 sen each to RM3.28 and RM47, Warisan 28 sen to RM2.55, Carlsberg 21 sen to RM7.26, Bumi Armada 16 sen to RM3.99, while LPI Capital, Panasonic and Parkson added 14 sen each to RM13.02, RM19.50 and RM5.79 respectively.



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Stocks to watch: MBSB, Ireka, Maybank, Chin Teck, Jerneh Asia

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 31): The string of positive corporate news is expected to underpin market sentiment on Tuesday, Nov 1 after the FBM KLCI ended October on a strong note.

However, the overnight fall on Wall Street could rein in some of the buying appetite and investors use this opportunity to take profit. Wall Street closed its best month in 20 years on a down note on Monday as the failure of trading firm MF Global Holdings Ltd and new worries about Europe's debt crisis hammered financial shares.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 276.10 points, or 2.26 percent, to 11,955.01. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index fell 31.79 points, or 2.47 percent, to 1,253.30. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 52.74 points, or 1.93 percent, to 2,684.41.

Among the stocks to watch are MALAYSIA BUILDING SOCIETY BHD [] (MBSB), IREKA CORPORATION BHD [], CHIN TECK PLANTATION []S BHD [], MALAYAN BANKING BHD [], JERNEH ASIA BHD [] and AutoV Corporation Bhd

MBSB posted a 134% increase in its earnings to RM95.08 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 from RM40.51 million a year ago.

Its revenue increased by 72% to RM372.67 million from RM215.77 million while earnings per share were 10.88 sen compared with 5.79 sen.

Ireka’s unit has secured a RM85.14 million contract for the proposed City International Hospital project in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from Hoa Lam-Shangri-La 1 Ltd Liability Company.

Chin Teck Plantations Bhd’s earnings surged 90.8% to RM21.84 million in the fourth quarter ended Aug 31, 2011 from RM11.45 million a year ago, boosted by the increase in average selling prices of fresh fruit bunches (FFB), crude palm (CPO) and palm kernel despite lower production.

Its revenue rose 31.4% to RM38.37 million from RM29.20 million a year ago while earnings per share were 23.91 sen compared with 12.53 sen.

For the financial year ended Aug 31, its earnings rose 62.1% to RM76.01 million from RM46.88 million. Revenue rose at a slower pace of 28.6% to RM143.34 million from RM111.44 million.

Malayan Banking Bhd’s PT Bank Internasional Indonesia Tbk (BII) reported consolidated net profit of Rp555 billion (RM193.04 million) for the January-September period, up 34% from Rp415 billion a year ago.

BII said “the increase was achieved on the back of solid growth across the Bank’s core businesses as well as from its overall operational improvements”.

It recorded a 22% consolidated loan growth from Rp50.8 trillion in September 2010 to Rp61.9 trillion in September 2011, underpinned by small and medium enterprises (SME) and commercial loans.

Jerneh Asia Bhd has received a notice of voluntary conditional take-over offer from Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd to acquire the remaining 58.19% stake which it does not own for cash consideration of RM1.45 per share and 45 sen per warrant.

Kuok Brothers and the parties acting in concert directly hold 102.02 million shares or 41.81% of Jerneh Asia.

At RM1.45, this is nine sen above Monday’s close of RM1.36 while the warrants ended at 40 sen.

Automotive components manufacturer AutoV Corporation expects its turnover to increase by 60% next year with the acquisition of Proreka (M) Sdn Bhd.

Bernama reported executive chairman Bernard Kong as saying the company was also in the midst of merging with two other listed companies to form a bigger group. “Financially we will be much stronger to support our businesses. We also can support our clients better," he said.

Kong said the merger with AIC CORPORATION BHD [] and Jotech Holdings, expected to be completed "sometime in March next year", would transform the company into an integrated manufacturing group dealing in automotive as well as electronics products.

Chin Teck 4Q earnings up 90.8% to RM21.85m

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 31): CHIN TECK PLANTATION []S BHD []’s earnings surged 90.8% to RM21.84 million in the fourth quarter ended Aug 31, 2011 from RM11.45 million a year ago, boosted by the increase in average selling prices of fresh fruit bunches (FFB), crude palm (CPO) and palm kernel despite lower production.

It said on Monday that revenue rose 31.4% to RM38.37 million from RM29.20 million a year ago while earnings per share were 23.91 sen compared with 12.53 sen.

For the financial year ended Aug 31, its earnings rose 62.1% to RM76.01 million from RM46.88 million. Revenue rose at a slower pace of 28.6% to RM143.34 million from RM111.44 million.

The better financial performance was due to substantial increases in the average selling prices of FFB, CPO and palm kernel though production levels were lower.