KLCI hovers in negative territory at mid-morning

KUALA LUMPUR (May 9): The FBM KLCI hovered in negative territory at mid-morning on Wednesday in line with the overnight fall at Wall Street and weaker sentiment at regional markets, underpinned by global economic and political worries.

At 10.01am, the FBM KLCI fell 3.03 points to 1,587.57, weighed by select blue chips.

Gainers trailed losers by 132 to 234, while 219 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 237.19 million shares valued at RM17908 million.

Asian shares fell and the euro stayed pressured on Wednesday, as Greece struggled to form a government two days after elections, raising the risk that a hard-won bailout could be nullified, according to Reuters.

BIMB Securities Research in a note Wednesday said the conditions in Europe was ripe for traders to create some volatility in the equity markets and yesterday could be the beginning of the trend.

With the initial focus on Spain and now the political issues in France and Greece, investors may be in for a roller coaster ride this month, it said.

Reacting to the European uncertainty, the Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 76.44 points to 12,932 but off its intra-day low of 12,810, it said.

“Needless to say, European bourses took the brunt of yesterday’s selling as all ended up in a sea of red,” it said.

The research house said regional markets had a mixed session possibly from the weak opening in Europe amid the ongoing consolidation mode.

“Locally, the FBM KLCI rebounded by 5.73 points to just above the immediate 1,590 resistance at 1,590.60.

“For today, it will be interesting to gauge the resilience of investors whether they will all jump into the selling bandwagon. For us, we believe there will be some broad based knee jerk reaction and should pressure the FBM KLCI on the downside,” it said.

On Bursa Malaysia at mid-morning, F&N Fell and Petronas Dagangan fell 14 sen each to RM18.90 and RM19.80, Hong Leong Bank and Genting down 12 sen each to RM12.12 and RM10.54, Sarawak PLANTATION []s 11 sen to RM2.92, Rapid and IJM Corp 10 sen each to RM2.57 and RM5.44, while NPC, MAHB and Ajiya lost eight sen each to RM2.60, RM5.71 and RM1.60 respectively.

Permaju was the most actively traded counter with 25.7 million shares done. The stock rose 3.5 sen to 91 sen.

Other actives included Harvest Court, Naim Inda Corp,Perisai, Sanbumi, Metronic, Compugates, JCY and Komark.

Gainers included KGB, Tasek, Komark, KLK, Mercury, CIMB, SKB Shutters, Multico, Perisai and Permaju.



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KLCI crosses 1,590-level as blue chips lift

KUALA LUMPUR (May 8): The FBM KLCI closed higher on Tuesday on some mild bargain hunting while regional markets ended mixed, albeit recovering from sharp decline on Monday after election results in Europe spooked investors.

The FBM KLCI rose 5.73 points to close at 1,590.60 on Tuesday, lifted by gains including at BAT, Petronas-linked counters and Genting.

Gainers beat losers by 404 to 307, while 357 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.27 billion shares valued at RM1.24 billion.

Uncertainty over the implications of the Greek and French elections for Europe's efforts to resolve its debt crisis sent the euro and shares lower on Tuesday and supported safe-haven German government bonds, according to Reuters.

Attention is focused on Greece where politicians are struggling to form a government after voters plunged their country into limbo in Sunday's election. The uncertainty has reignited fears its hard-fought bailout deal could unravel, forcing the country's exit from the euro, it said.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.12% to 2,448.88, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down 0.25% to 20,484.75, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.69% to 9,181.65, South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.54% to 1,967.01, Taiwan’s taiex added 0.10% to 7,545.71 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index.

On Bursa Malaysia, BAT and Petronas Dagangan added 52 sen each to RM55.68 and RM19.94, Tasek and Dutch Lady were up 26 sen each to RM9.29 and RM33.30, Kulim 21 sen to RM4.45, MKH 20 sen to RM2.40, GAB 18 sen to RM13.34, Ekovest 17 sen to RM2.65, Iretex 16 sen to RM1.30, Permaju 14.5 sen to 87.5 sen, Petronas Gas 14 sen to RM17, Genting 10 sen to RM10.66 and Petronas Chemicals two sen to RM6.57.

Ariantec was the most actively traded counter with 76.74 million shares done. The stock fell half a sen to 24.5 sen.

Other actives included Naim indah Corp, Compugates, Sanbumi, TMS, Harvest, Permaju, JCY and Metronic.

Decliners included Jaya Tiasa, Toyo Ink, MMHE, Lafarge Malayan Cement, Sarawak Oil Palms, JCY, Top Glove, Ibraco and IJM land.



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KLCI stays in the black at mid- day break

KUALA LUMPUR (May 8): The FBM KLCI reversed its earlier losses and stayed in positive territory at the mid-day break on Tuesday, in line with most key regional markets that shrugged off jitters from a day earlier following election results in Greece and France.

The FBM KLCI added 2.75 points to 1,587.62 at the mid-day break, lifted by gains at select blue chips.

Gainers outpaced losers by 302 to 272, while 332 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 620.94 million shares valued at RM467.71 million.

The ringgit strengthened 0.01% to 3,0543 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures rose RM28 per tonne to RM3,374, crude oil shed two cents per barrel to US$97.92 and gold fell US$1.63 an ounce to US$1,636.93.

Shares recovered on Tuesday from the previous day's plunge, as sentiment improved on hopes Spain would use public funds to bolster its struggling banks, although persistent wariness over Greece weighed on the euro, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inched up 0.1 percent, having slid more than 2 percent the day before for its worst daily fall in about five months and hitting its lowest in about three months, it said.

At the regional markets, Japans’ Nikkei 225 gained 0.68% to 9,180.87, South Korea’s Kospi added 0.50% to 1,966.13, Singapore’s Straits Times Index was up 0.42% to 2,937.16 and Taiwabn’s Taiex edged up 0.13% to 7,548.19.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.65% to 2,435.90 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index shed 0.05% to 20,525.90.

On Bursa Malaysia, BAT was the top gainer and rose 70 sen to RM55.86, Kulim 24 sen to RM4.48, Tasek 20 sen to RM9.23, Ekovest 17 sen to RM2.65, MSM 16 sen to RM5.34, Atlan 13 sen to RM4.39, Tong Herr and Permaju 11 sen each to RM2.51 and 84 sen, whiel Nakamichi and Multico added 10 sen each to 76 sen and RM1.25.

Menawile, Genting rose eight sen to RM10.64, Genting PLANTATION []s six sen to RM9.50 and Petronas Chemicals up three sen to RM6.58.

TMS was the most actively traded counter with 41.34 million shares done. The stock added half a sen to 9.5 sen.

Other actives included Sanbumi, Ariantec, JCY, Permaju, Naim Indah Corp and Metronic.

Decliners in the morning session included Jaya Tiasa, Toyo Ink, Lafarge Malayan Cement, PPB, JCY, Sarawak Oil Palms, IJM Land, MMHE, Texchem and OIB.



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KLCI up more than 23 points week-on-week

KUALA LUMPUR (May 4): The FBM KLCI rose 23.24 points week-on-week, and was among the better performers compared with its regional peers on Friday.

The FBM KLCI rose 7.87 points to close at 1,691.04 on Friday, lifted by gains at blue chips including Petronas Dagangan, Tenaga, Genting and AirAsia.

Gainers outpaced losers by 456 to 274, while 352 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.33 billion shares valued at RM1.59 billion.

Asian shares were mixed for a second successive day on Friday as another batch of lacklustre U.S. data stoked concerns that the recovery in the world's biggest economy is faltering, according to Reuters.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.49% to 2,452.01, Taiwan’s taiex added 0.54% to 7,700.95, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.77% to 21,086.00, South Korea’s Kospi lost 0.30% to 1,989.15 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index

Japan’s Nikkei 225 was closed for a national holiday.

Meanwhile, European shares opened lower and industrial commodities like oil and copper were weak on Friday on concerns about the health of the world's biggest economy before a reading on the strength of the U.S. jobs market, said Reuters.

Weekend elections in France and Greece, which could complicate efforts to resolve the euro zone debt crisis, were also weighing on sentiment, leaving the euro steady against the dollar at around $1.3150 and debt markets little changed, it said.

On Bursa Malaysia, Nestle was the top gainer on Friday and rose 40 sen to RM55.90, Allianz, Aeon and Petronas Dagangan added 20 sen each to RM4.75, RM10 and RM19.50 respectively, Coastal Contracts 19 sen to RM2.13, SAM Engineering 18 sen to RM3.20, Tenaga and MBM Resources up 15 sen each to RM6.60 and RM5.24, while Maybulk and Genting rose 14 sen each to RM1.79 and RM10.64.

AirAsia was among the actively traded counters with 14.45 million shares done. The stock added four sen to RM3.64.

Other actives included Ariantec, Glomac, Maybulk, Astral Supreme, Metronic and Jotech.

Decliners on Friday included Knusford, Southern Acids, Cepco, Asia File, Ireka, Takaful, Hoover, Nakamichi, Aeon Credit and Lafarge Malayan Cement.



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KLCI opens higher, blue chips lead

KUALA LUMPUR (May 4): The FBM opened higher on Friday, lifted by gains at select blue chips.

The FBM KLCI rose 2.96 points to 1,586.13 at 9am.

Gainers led losers by 84 to 38 while 74 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 19.99 million shares valued at RM21.55 million.

Meanwhile, global stocks and crude oil fell on Thursday after data showing tepid growth in the U.S. services sector raised concerns about the economic recovery a day before a highly anticipated labor market report for April, according to Reuters.

Stocks turned lower, government debt pared losses and the U.S. dollar trimmed gains against the yen after the Institute for Supply Management said its services sector index fell to 53.5 in April from 56.0 the previous month, it said.

U.S. stocks fell on Thursday as economic data sent mixed signals on the recovery a day before the April payrolls report, while shares of Green Mountain plunged after poor results.

Slower-than-expected growth in the dominant U.S. services sector drove the day's trading. The retail sector dragged the market lower after several chains, including Target Corp and Gap Inc, fell after missing April sales estimates.

MIDF Research in a note Friday said bot its own and consensus FBM KLCI earnings growth for this year were expected to be at around mid-teens, i.e. 16.2% and 16.6% respectively, supported by (i) decent organic earnings growth performance, as well as (ii) absence of lumpy abnormal losses.

“Furthermore, we believe the current liquidity-driven rally has not yet ended despite recent difficulty of the KLCI to sustain itself above the 1,600 points levels,” it said.

The research house said that with the risk-on mood still prevailing on Wall Street, as attested by the main benchmark which is stealthily approaching its pre-2008 highs, it may eventually help the markets in this region to resume their upward momentum.

“Hence we expect to see further upside to the local market with an “encore rally” in the coming months.

“We reiterate both our year-high as well as year-end 2012 KLCI base case targets of 1,670 points and 1,600 points respectively,” it said.

On Bursa Malaysia, Aeon led the gainers and rose 40 sen to RM10.20, Petronas Dagangan and Top Glove gained 20 sen each to RM19.50 and RM4.70, Orient 12 sen to RM6.80, Petronas Chemicals 10 sen RM6.65, Genting eight sen to RM10.58, Lafarge Malayan Cement and MMC Corp up sen each to RM7.39 and RM2.78, and KLK six sen to RM23.78.



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KLCI rises 0.7% on positive external factors

KUALA LUMPUR (May 2): The FBM KLCI rose more than 0.7% on Wednesday, advancing in line with the firm gains at key regional markets following positive data coming out from the US.

Asian shares rose and the dollar recovered against the yen on Wednesday after strong U.S. factory activity data raised hopes that the world's biggest economy remained on a recovery track while growth in Asian manufacturing improved broader sentiment, according to Reuters.

European shares were expected to open mixed, with most exchanges reopening after the May Day holiday on Tuesday. Financial spreadbetters predicted that major European markets, it said.

The FBM KLCI rose 0.75% to close 11.78 points higher at 1,582.39 on Wednesday, lifted by gains including at Genting-related counters.

Gainers beat losers by 458 to 281, while 288 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.33 billion shares valued at RM1.43 billion.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.76% to 2,438.44, Hong Kong’ Hang Seng Index added 1.02% to 21,309.08, Taiwan’s Taiex Jumped 2.33% to 7,676.81, South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.86% to 1,999.07, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up 0.31% to 9,380.25 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose

On Bursa Malaysia, Genting was the top gainer and rose 32 sen to RM10.66, Aeon Credit added 30 sen to RM11, Aeon was up 29 sen to RM9.80, Orient 25 sen to RM6.67, Takaful 21 sen to RM4.17, Metrod,Tasek and Genting PLANTATION []s added 20 sen each to RM2, RM8.87 and RM9.60 respectively, Cybertowers 19. 5 sen to RM1.16 while Lafarge Malayan Cement was up 19 sen to RM7.38.

Naim Indah Corp was the most actively traded counter with 84.41 million shares done. The stock was up six sen to 51.5 sen.

Other actives included Utopia, Ariantec, Metronic, Astral Supreme, BIMB, AWC and Hubline.

Decliners included BAT, Shell, BLD Plantations, Y&G, Top Glove, Cepco, Milux MISC and JT International.



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KLCI rises at mid-day break, but struggles to breach 1,580-level

KUALA LUMPUR (May 2): the FBM KLCI rose at the mid-day break on Wednesday in line with the gains at its regional peers, but struggled to cross the crucial 1,580-point mark.

The 30-stock index rose 7.79 points to 1,578.40 at the mid-day break.

Gainers led losers by 315 to 243, while 290 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 680.87 million shares valued at RM542.98 million.

The ringgit strengthened 0.23% to 3.0219 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery rose RM1 per tonne to RM3,445, crude oil fell 22 cents per barrel to US$105.94 and gold lost US$3.25 an ounce to US$1,659.18.

Asian shares edged higher and the dollar recovered against the yen on Wednesday after strong U.S. factory activity data raised hopes that the world's biggest economy remained on a recovery track, according to Reuters.

Factory order data released on Wednesday by Asia's key exporters Taiwan and South Korea showed manufacturing activity grew but at a slower pace, while China's HSBC final PMI reading for April came in slightly above last week's flash PMI, it said.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.38% to 9,386.28, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was gained 1.14% 21,335.60, the Shanghai Composite Index was up 1.58% to 2,434.09, Taiwan’s Taiex jumped 2.11% to 7,660.13, South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.77% to 1,997.32 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.50% to 2,993.60.

On Bursa Malaysia, Aeon Credit was the top gainer at the mid-dat break and rose 32 sen to RM11.02, Takaful up 29 sen to RM4.25, Orient 25 sen to RM6.67, Aeon 19 sen to RM9.70, Genting 18 sen to RM10.52, Tasek 16 sen to RM8.83, Harrisons 15 sen to RM3.23, Cyber Towers 13.5 sen to RM1.10 and BIMB 12 sen to RM2.66.

Utopia was the most actively traded counter with 59.62 million shares done. The stock was unchanged at 8.5 sen.

Other actives included Hubline, BIMB, Naim Indah Corp, Astral Supreme, AWC, Focus and Ariantec.

Decliners included BAT, Dutch Lady, Y&G, Country View, Cepco, PPB, Top Glove, Milux, Shell and UMS.



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KLCI pares down losses at mid-day break, edges above 1,580-level

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The FBM KLCI pared down some of its earlier losses at the mid-day break on Tuesday and moved above the crucial 1,580-point level.

Meanwhile, Asian shares inched up on Tuesday but gains were limited as political uncertainty and disappointing data in Europe raised fears the euro zone could struggle to push through austerity measures and may stay in recession until late in the year, according to Reuters.

A weaker-than-expected reading of consumer inflation in Australia, a day after a weaker producer prices report, set the scene for an local rate cut next week and bolstered local shares up 0.4 percent from a flat early trade, it said.

The FBM KLCI was down 3.11 points to 1,580.69, weighed by losses at select blue chips including Petronas Dagangan, Genting and CIMB. The index had earlier fallen to its intra-morning low of 1,579.04.

Loser ebeat gainers by 379 to 191, while 314 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 727.97 million shares valued at RM608.87 million.

The ringgit weakened 0.009% to 3.0695 versus the greenback, crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery fell RM20 per tonne to RM3,455, crude oil shed 14 cents pare barrel to US$102.97 and gold lost US$2.15 an ounce to US$1,636.68.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.90% to 9,456.13, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was down 0.32% to 20,559.10, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.4% to 2,355.17, Taiwan’s Taiex fell 0.23% to 7,464.14, South Korea’s Kospi was down 0.74% to 1,958.04 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index lost 0.34% to 2,972.53.

On Bursa Malaysia, SAM Engineering was the top loser and fell 29 sen to RM3.26, Petronas Dagangan down 24 sen to RM19.30, Jaya Tiasa 14 sen to RM9.62, S P Setia shed 13 sen to RM3.71, Hong Leong Bank 12 sen to RM12.30, while Dutch Lady, Carlsberg, AirAsia, Genting and CIMB fell eight sen each to RM35, RM11.42, RM3.40, RM10.54 and RM7.42 respectively.

Ingenuity Solutions was the most actively trade counter with 732 million shares done. The stock was unchanged at 9.5 sen.

Other actives included Ariantec, TMS, Focus, JCY, Ramunia, Metronic, Sanichi and CSL.

Meanwhile, the gainers in the morning session included Aeon Credit, United PLANTATION []s, Aeon, UMW, Quality Concrete, SapuraCrest, Fiamma, PacifiMas and KrisAssets.



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KLCI struggles but stays above 1,580-level

KUALA LUMPUR (APRIL 23): The FBM KLCI struggled to remain above the important 1,580-level on Monday after having succumbed more than 8 points to fall below the 1,590-level.

Asian shares trended lower as political developments in France and the Netherlands raised fears about the region's commitment to tackle its ongoing debt crisis, according to Reuters.

The FBM KLCI lost 8.05 points to close at 1,583.80, weighed by losses including at CIMB, Genting, BAT, Tenaga, Telekom and RHB Capital.

Europe's top shares opened lower on Monday on the political concerns, but attention was expected to switch to the economy, with euro zone manufacturing activity indicators due out later after data from China showed some signs of recovery in factory output but not enough to prevent the sector contracting, said Reuters.

At the regional markets, Hong Kong’s hang Seng Index lost 1.84% to 20,634.39, Singapore’s Straits Times Index lost 1.11% to 2,961.18, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.76% to 2,388.59, Taiwan’s Taiex was down 0.35% to 7,481.09, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 shed 0.20% to 9,542.17, whiel South Korea’s Kospi edged down 0.10% to 1,972.63.

Among the major losers on Monday, BAT fell 98 sen to RM55.540, Aeon and Jaya Tiasa fell 21 sen each to RM9.20 and RM9.76, Genting 18 sen to RM10.62, Boustead 17 sen to RM5.28, Bumi Armada and CSL 16 sen each to RM4.31 and RM1.49, Warisan and Nestle down 14 sen each to RM2.34 and RM55.84, while Subur Tiasa fell 13 sen to RM2.95.

Other decliners included CIMB and Telekom that fell five sen each to RM7.50 and RM5/37, whiel RHB Capital and Tenaga lost four sen each to RM7.39 and RM6.48.

Araiantec was the most actively traded counter with 396.6 million shares done. The stock gained two sen to 24 sen.

Other actives included Metronic, Asral Supreme, Focus, Naim Indah Corp, JCY and Jotech.

Advancing stocks included Petronas Dagangan, Aeon Credit, United PLANTATION []s, Dutch Lady, Kencana, SapuraCrest, Manulife, Litrak and BIntulu Port.



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KLCI ends lower, but hangs on above 1,590-level

KUALA LUMPUR (April 20): The FBM KLCI extended its losses to close lower on Friday, as external factors weighed on investor sentiment and dragged stocks lower.

The index fell 4.77 points to close at 1,591.85, weighed by losses including at Petronas Chemicals, Genting, RHB Capital and CIMB.

Market breadth was negative with 364 losers, 317 gainers and 361 counters unchanged. Volume was 1.63 billion shares valued at RM1.48 billion.

Meanwhile, Asian shares fell and commodity-linked currencies such as the Australian dollar slipped on Friday after disappointing U.S. economic data stirred doubts about the strength of the recovery, according to Reuters.

Renewed worries on the euro zone debt crisis also kept riskier assets under pressure, as a better-than-feared Spanish bond auction failed to allay concerns that Spain may follow Greece, Ireland and Portugal in needing an international bailout, it said.

A weekend featuring a potentially rocky meeting of the International Monetary Fund, which is seeking to boost its funds to help contain Europe's problems, and the first round of a French presidential election have heightened the nervousness, said Reuters.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 0.28% to 9,561.23, Taiwan’s taiex lost 1.52% to 7,507.15, South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.26% to 1,974.65 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index xx

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.19% to 2,406.86 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged up 0.07% to 21,010.64.

On Bursa Malaysia, Aeon fell 19 sen to RM9.41, Manulife and Petronas Chemicals fell 14 sen each to RM3.22 and RM6.56, MISC down 13 sen to RM5.03, Genting and Bursa fell 12 sen each to RM10.80 and RM6.85, while SAM Engineering, Litrak, Lafarge Malayan Cement and Kian Joo fell 10 sen each to RM3.55, RM4, RM7.21 and RM2.04 respectively.

Ariantec was the most actievely traded counter with 436.8 million shares done. The stock rose 4.5 sen to 22 sen.

Other actives included Metronic, Focus, Naim indah Corp, CSL, Astral Supreme, AWC and SuperComNet.

Gainers included BAT, Dutch Lady, Aeon Credit, KLK, Jaya Tiasa, Panasonic, Country View, Carlsberg, CBIP and GAB.



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KLCI stays below 1,600-level at mid-day break, global woes weigh

KUALA LUMPUR (April 20); The FBM KLCI stayed in negative territory at the mid-day break on Friday in line with generally weaker performance at regional markets.

The FBM KLCI was down a marginal 1.14 points to 1,595.48 at 12.30pm, weighed by losses including at Genting and RHB Capital and CIMB.

Gainers trailed losers by 242 to 313, while 322 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 950.42 million shares valued at RM600.85 million.

The ringgit weakened 0.12% to 3.0693 versus the greenback, crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery fell RM16 per tonne to RM3,461, crude oil gaind 34 cents per barrel to US$102.61 while gold added US$1 an ounce to US$1,643.93.

Asian shares fell and commodity-linked currencies such as the Australian dollar slipped on Friday after disappointing U.S. economic data stirred doubts about the strength of the recovery, according to Reuters.

Renewed worries on the euro zone debt crisis also kept riskier assets under pressure, as a better-than-feared Spanish bond auction failed to allay concerns that Spain may follow Greece, Ireland and Portugal in needing an international bailout, it said.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.35% to 9,555.17, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was down 0.24% to 0.24% to 20,944.10, the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.60% to 2,392.92, Taiwan’s Taiex fell 1.12% to 7,537.58, South Korea’s Kospi lost 1.25% to 1,974.93 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index was down 0.20% to 3,002.14.

On Bursa Malaysia, Manulife was the top loser in the morning session and fell 14 sen to RM3.22, Batu Kawan and genting fell 10 sen each to RM18.80 and RM10.82, RHB Capital fell nine sen to RM7.43, Mentiga 7.5 sen to 68.5 sen, while SAM Engineering, Pintaras, S P Setia, Guan Chong and CIMB fell seven each to RM3.58, RM2.96, RM3.81, RM2.85 and RM7.56 respectively.

Ariantec was the most actively traded counter with 325.08 million shares traded. The stosk rose six sen to 23.5 sen.

Other actives included Metronic, Focus, CSL, SuperComNet, Astral Supreme, AWC and Utopia.

Gainers included BAT, Aeon Credit, KLK, Panasonic, Country View, Jaya Tiasa, Dutch Lady, Far East, Ta Ann and CBIP.



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Malaysian stocks ease on global weakness

KUALA LUMPUR (April 20) : Malaysians stocks fell on Friday morning in tandem with regional peers following a weaker overnight close across US markets. Global markets had reacted negatively to less-optimistic employment updates in the US, and rising yields for Spain government bonds.

Analysts said external factors could have the upper hand in dictating the FBM KLCI, prompting the anticipation of a further decline in the 30-stock benchmark.

“External headwinds will probably persist to push down our Malaysian bourse today,” HwangDBS Vickers Research Sdn Bhd wrote in note.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI fell 2.52 points to 1,594.1. Across the exchange, some 257 million shares worth RM148 million were traded, leading to 163 gainers versus 167 decliners.

Top gainers KUALA LUMPUR KEPONG BHD [] added 36 sen to RM24.16, while JAYA TIASA HOLDINGS BHD [] was up 32 sen to RM10.

Among decliners, GENTING BHD [] fell 12 sen to RM10.80 while HONG LEONG INDUSTRIES BHD [] was down 10 sen to RM4.12.

Most active was Ariantec Global Bhd which rose 1.5 sen to 19 sen with some 42 million shares done.

Among Asian bourses, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.44% to 9,545.96 points, South Korea’s Kospi was down 1.25% to 1,974.93, while Australia’s S&P/ ASX 200 declined 0.17% to 4,355.4.



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KLCI slips into the red at mid-day break

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): The FBM KLCI gave up some ground to slip into negative territory at the mid-day break on Thursday, in line with the generally tepid sentiment at key regional markets.

Asian shares and the euro traded in tight ranges on Thursday ahead of a Spanish bond sale seen as a key test of investors' risk appetite amid renewed concerns over the euro zone's debt crisis, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, U.S. stocks slipped on Wednesday, a day after Wall Street's best gains in a month, as uninspiring earnings from tech bellwethers IBM and Intel gave investors a reason to take profits, according to Reuters

The FBM KLCI fell 2.80 points to 1,596.06 at 12.30pm, weighed by losses at select blue chips including CIMB, KLK, Maybank and Genting.

Losers beat gainers by 358 to 221, while 311 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.02 billion shares valued at RM661.94 million.

The ringgit weakened 0.13% to 3.0686 versus the greenback, crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery fell RM30 per tonne to RM3,449, crude oil shed 11 cents per barrel to US$102.56 while gold lost US$4.50 an ounce to US$1,637.60.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.89% to 9,580.90, the Shanghai Composite Index down 0.14% to 2,377.57, Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.08% to 2,998.17, south Korea’s Kospi lost 0.33% to 1,997.92, Taiwan’s Taiex edged down 0.01% to 7,604.367 while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.36% to 20,856.40.

Among the major losers on Bursa Malaysia, Dutch Lady lost 38 sen to RM34.60, KLK 24 sen to RM23.96, Country View 21 sen to 61 sen, Tradewinds 16 sen to RM9.66, KESM and SAM Engineering down 12 sen each to RM2.06 and RM3.67, CSL 10 sen to RM1.68, Subur Tiasa eight sen to RM3 and Nice seven sen to 31 sen.

Meanwhile, CIMB lost three sen to RM7.64, Maybank and Genting down two sen each to M8.85 and RM10.80, and DiGi was down one sen to RM3.92.

Ariantec was the most actively traded counter with 143.99 million shares done. The stock was unchanged at 19 sen.

Other actives included Utopia, CSL, metronic, DBE Gurney, Compugates, Iris Corp and Astral Supreme.

Gainers included Can-One, Tan Chong, F&N, Pintaras, Jaya Tiasa, Bintulu Port, Aeon Credit, Utusan and GAB.



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KLCI closes lower in tandem with regional markets

KUALA LUMPUR (APRIL 17: The FBM KLCI fell on Monday, in tandem with its regional peers, as investors spooked by re-emerging worries over the European sovereign debt crisis sold down riskier assets.

The FBM KLCI fell 5.6 points to close lower at 1,597.51 on Monday.

Market breadth was negative with 428 losers, 272 gainers whiel 320 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.05 billion shares valued at RM 1.26 billion.

Asian shares and the euro fell on Monday as a surge in Spanish government bond yields renewed concerns about Europe's sovereign debt crisis and undermined investor appetite for riskier assets, according to Reuters.

At the regional markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.44% to 20,610.64, Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 1.74% to 9,470.64, South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.81% to 1,992.63, Taiwan’s Taiex lost 0.75% to 7,729.86 while, Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.14% to 2,992.12.

Among the decliners on Monday, Dutch Lady fell 42 sen to RM35.16, United PLANTATION []s down 38 sen to RM24.62, The Store fell 24 sen to RM2.25, Aeon 19 sen to RM9.61, Hibiscus 17 sen to RM1.93, Amway 14 sen to RM9.84, Genting, BAT and Shell lost 12 sen each to RM10.92, RM54.68 and RM10.16 respectively.

Ingenuity Solutions was the most actively traded counter with 59.4 million shares done. The stock fell half a sen to 9.5 sen.

Other actives included Ariantec, Naim Indah Corp, Metronic, CSL, AWC, DVM and SuperComNet.

Gainers included Jaya Tiasa, Tasek, Warisan, PMB Tech, Subur Tiasa, Ta Ann, Iterex, Ekovest and Hong Leong Industries.



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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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KLCI edges up at mid-day break, crosses 1,590-mark

KUALA LUMPUR (APRIL 9): The FBM KLCI ticked upward at the mid-day break on Tuesday and moved above the 1,590-point mark, while investors at the regional markets took a cautious stance.

Asian shares struggled 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.

The FBM KLCI added 4.38 points to 1,595.66 at the mid-day break.

Losers edged gainers by 257 to 297, while 295 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 471.75 million shares valued at RM531.72 million.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.20% to 9.565.81, Hong Kong’s hang Seng Index lost 1.11% to 20,365.10, the Shanghai Composite Index wa down 0.96% to 2,263.78, and South Korea’s Kopsi shed 0.03% to 1,996.55, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.23% to 2,967.04 and Taiwan’s Taiex gained 0.18% to 7,614.54.

BIMB Securities Research in a note Tuesday said that as expected, sellers overwhelmed Wall Street following the weak job data last week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average consequently declined 130 points to 12,929 as funds flowed back to the US Treasuries as depicted by a dip in the 10 year Treasury yield to 2.04% (-0.14%), it said.

The research house said investors would pay heed to some of the upcoming corporate earnings due this week.

With European markets closed for Easter, regional markets have had a rather traumatic Monday with almost all ending up in a sea of red taking cue the weak job data, it said.

“As for the local bourse, its performance was in synch with the regional decline as the FBMKLCI lost 7.6 points to 1,591 just above the support level of 1,590.

“We expect the market to be lacklustre today with the index to see further decline albeit marginally as China continues to be plagued by the fine art of balancing between growth and inflation. We see current developments as excellent windows of opportunities to accumulate and expect the index to hover between 1,585-90,” it said.

ON Bursa Malaysia, Tradewinds PLANTATION []s was the top gainer in the morning session and added 28 sen to RM5.73, Tradewinds up 23 sen to RM10.18, Bonia 17 sen to RM2.60, KPJ 15 sen to RM5.31, Batu Kawan and SMPC up 14 sen each to RM18.68 and RM2.50, Genting 12 sen to RM10.96, YHS 11 sen to RM2.75 and Carlsberg added 10 sen to RM10.84.

Tiger Synergy was the most actively traded counter with 24.8 million shares done. The stock was unchanged at 15.5 sen.

Other actives included KBES, Digi, Naim Indah Corp, CSL, KTB, Managed Pay and Asia Media.

Meanwhile, the decliners included Nestle, Aeon, Lafarge Malayan Cement, Panasonic, UAC, Parkson, Amtek, Shangri-La, LPI and Milux.



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KLCI extends loss for second day running

KUALA LUMPUR (APRIL 50): The FBNM KLCI extended its losses for a second day running while most global markets either pared down their losses or reversed earlier retreats on bargain hunting activities.

The FBM KLCI closed 5.83 points lower at 1,593.44, paring down its losses from the earlier intra-day low of 1,591.85.

Losers edged gainers by 352 to 342, while 317 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.24 billion share valued at RM1.22 billion.

At the Asian markets, Chinese shares jumped 1.7% the biggest single-day rise since early February led by non-banking financials after Premier Wen Jiabao said the monopoly formed by the country's big banks needed to be broken to get money flowing to cash-starved private firms, according to Reuters.

Hong Kong shares ended a holiday-shortened week weaker on Thursday, dragged by the Chinese financial sector as investors took profit on the final trading day before a four-day holiday weekend and ahead of US jobs data on Friday, it said.

Meanwhile, European shares eked out modest gains on Thursday with investors looking for bargains after three weeks of losses but sentiment remained fragile after lower demand at a Spanish auction rekindled funding concerns for weaker euro zone countries, said Reuters.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.74% to 2,302.24, South Korea’s Kospi addd 0.50% to 2,028.77 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index xx

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 0.95% to 20,593.00, Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.53% to 9,767.61 and Taiwan’s Taiex fell 1.56% to 7,639.82.

ON Bursa Malaysia, BAT was the top loser and fell 60 sen to RM54.98, GAB lost 20 sen to RM13, Aeon Credit down 15 sen to RM8.74, Milux, F&N and Genting fell 12 sen each to RM1.28, RM18.88 and RM10.96 respectively, MAHB down 11 sen to RM5.76 while Amway fell 10 sen to RM9.80.

Takaful was the top gainer and added 48 sen to RM3.70, Tradewinds PLANTATION []s added 25 sen to RM5.19, Cepco up 24 sen to RM1.79, Tradewinds added 19 sen to RM9.79, Ta Ann 18 sen to RM6.38, Jaya Tiasa 17 sen to RM8.93, Inno 14 sen to RM1.64, Y&G 13 sen to 73 sen, while Shell and Sin Heng Chan added 12 sen each to RM10.30 and RM1.12.

Metronic was the most actively traded counter with 124,92 million shares done. The stock added 2.5 sen to 17,5 sen.

Other actives included Naim Indah Corp, Ariantec, Focus, Carotech, SupertComNet, Ingenuity Solutions, JCY and Key West.



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KLCI retreats for second day, but pares down losses to stay above 1,590 at mid-day

KUALA LUMPUR (April 5): The FBM KLCI retreated for a second day on Thursday, in line with the weaker overnight close at most global markets as European debt woes stung risk appetite across the board.

At the mid-day break, the FBM KLCI was down 5.86 points to 1,593.41. The index had earlier slipped to its intra-morning low of 1,591.85.

Losers led gainers by 333 to 170, while 351 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 589.37 million shared valued at RM388.82 million.

The ringgit was flat at 3.0650 versus the US dolar; crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery fell RM6 per tonne to RM3,514, crude oil added 76 US cents per barrel to US102.23 while gold gained US$2.60 an ounce to US$1,623.38.

Asian shares fell on Thursday after a weak Spanish bond sale heightened concerns about funding difficulties for weaker eurozone countries, further undermining sentiment hurt by fading expectations of more stimulus from the US Federal Reserve, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia Pacific shares outside Japan fell for a second straight session, easing as much as 1.3% to a four-week low, while Japan's Nikkei average fell 0.9%, also to a four-week low, after putting in its worst performance in five months a day earlier, it said.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.04% to 9,718.14, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 1.09% to 20,564.30, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.37% to 2,293.89, Taiwan’s taiex fell 1.7% to 7,628.59, South Korea’s Kospi shed 0.21% to 2,014.44 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index shed 0.05% to 2,986.40.

On Bursa Malaysia, F&N was the top loser in the morning session and fell 26 sen to RM18.74, Sarawak OIL Palms and Genting fell 12 sen each to RM6.69 and RM12.96, Milux fell 10 sen to RM1.30, SHH, Metrod and Aeon Credit down nine sen each to 23 sen, RM1.91 and RM8.80, while Amway lost eight sen to RM9.82.

Among the gainers, Jaya Tiasa rose 24 sen to RM9, Tradewinds PLANTATION []s added eight sen to RM5.02, APB 7.5 sen to RM1, Ipmuda up seven sen to 77 sen, BHIC and Tecnic added six sen each to RM3.34 and RM3.98, while Tiong Nam Logistics and Takaful rose five sen each to RM1.03 and RM3.27.

Metronic was the most actively traded counter with 82.75 million shares done. The stock gained 1.5 sen to 16.5 sen.

Other actives included Ariantec, Naim Indah Corp, Tiger Synergy, SuperComnet, Ingenuity Solutions Focus, key West and Kurnia Asia.



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Malaysian shares down on European debt concerns

KUALA LUMPUR (April 5) : Malaysian shares fell on Thursday morning in tandem with Asian markets following a weaker overnight close across US and European bourses. Global markets had reacted negatively to fresh updates from Europe where Spain’s government bond auction was not well received.

This has raised concerns on the sustainability of European economies which are contending with their sovereign debt woes.

Malaysia’s FBM KLCI fell 5.83 points to 1,593.44 as at 10am with some 178 million shares worth RM89 million changing hands. There were 85 gainers versus 250 declining stocks.

Top gainers EKOVEST BHD [] added 17 sen to RM2.76 while BOUSTEAD HEAVY INDUSTRIES CORP [] Bhd was up six sen to RM3.34.

Decliners GENTING BHD [] fell 14 sen to RM10.94 while SMPC Corp Bhd was down 13 sen to RM1.92.

Most active was METRONIC GLOBAL BHD [] which added 0.5 sen to 15.5 sen with some 15 million shares done.

Among Asian equity benchmarks, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.05% to 9,716.99 points while Australia’s S&P / ASX 200 declined by a similar quantum to 4,288.4



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KLCI extends loss on external woes

KUALA LUMPUR (April 5): The FBM KLCI extended its loss on Thursday, in line with the weaker overnight close at the US markets as well as lacklustre opening at regional markets.

The 30-stock index fell 3.79 points to 1,595.48 at 9am.

Losers led gainers by 57 to 23, while 86 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 13.1 million shares valued at RM4.09 million.

US stocks fell for a second day on Wednesday as investors contemplated a world without monetary stimulus and a poorly received bond auction in Spain suggested the effects of Europe's funding operations were waning, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, Global stocks dropped more than 1 percent and gold tumbled to its lowest in nearly three months on Wednesday a day after U.S. central bank meeting minutes dented hopes for more economic stimulus and as a Spanish debt auction drew weak results, it said.

BIMB Securities Research said European stocks fell for a second day yesterday after Spain sold fewer bonds than its maximum target and the Federal Reserve damped expectations of more monetary stimulus for the US. Spain sold €2.6bn (US$3.4bn) of bonds; near the minimum target of €2.5bn; and borrowing costs rose in its first auction since the country said public debt will surge to a record this year.

US stocks ended in negative territory for a second day fueled by disappointment over the Fed's latest minutes and ongoing worries over the euro zone, the research house said in a note April 5.

The Dow and the S&P logged their biggest decline since March 6, while the Nasdaq suffered its worst day of the year. The S&P 500 lost 1 percent to 1,398.96 while DJIA slid 124.8 points to 13,074.75, it said.

“Back home, the local market has retraced as expected where the FBMKLCI fell more than 7 points to 1,599.27; dragged down by financial and PROPERTIES [] sector.

“Net foreign is still positive at RM176.7m yesterday but we reckon market sentiment to be weaker due to profit taking activities coupled with weak share performance in US and Europe. Expect immediate support to be seen at 1,595 followed by 1,590,” it said.

Among the decliners in early trade, KLK fell 22 sen to RM24.38, Genting lost 10 sen to RM10.98, Maybank don nine sen to RM8.79, RHB Capital and Malayan Flour Mills fell four sen each to RM7.70 and RM2, CIMB, MAS, Mah Sing and TDM fell two sen each to RM7.70, RM1.34, RM2.02 and RM4.68 respectively.

Gainers,meanwhile, included Tradewinds, BHIC, Parkson, SEGi, Pos Malaysia, Leader, Proton and N2N.

The actives included JCY, Carotech, Kurasia, Metronic and Winsun.



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