KLCI sustains momentum, closes at fresh all-time high

KUALA LUMPUR (APRIL 3): The FBM KLCI maintained its momentum and closed at a fresh all-time high above the psychologically-crucial 1,600-point level on Tuesday, in line with the generally positive sentiment at most global markets.

Asian shares on Tuesday sustained momentum from an overnight rally in global equities, with solid manufacturing data from the United States offsetting signs of mild recession in Europe, according to Reuters.

However, European shares and Brent crude oil prices dipped in early trade on Tuesday following recent sharp gains, as investors sought further signs of improvement in the global economy before chasing risky assets higher, it said.

The FBM KLCI closed 2.85 points to 1,606.63, lifted by gains at select blue chips including CIMB, Axiata, and BAT.

Gainers, however, trailed losers by 354 to 379, while 344 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.25 billion shares valued at RM1.36 billion.

At the regional markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.31% to 20,790.98, the Shanghai Composite index added 0.47% to 2,262.79, South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.99% to 2,049.28, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.04% to 3,014.98 while Taiwan’s Taiex fell 1.3% to 7,760.85 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 0.59% to 10,050.39.

On Bursa Malaysia, Dutch lady was the top gainer and rose 44 sen to RM35.94, Carlsberg added 34 sen to RM10.80, Jaya Tiasa 20 sen to RM8.72, HLFG 18 sen to RM12.50, BAT 16 sen to RM56.22, Sarawak PLANTATION []s 15 sen to RM3.24, MBM Resources 14 sen to RM4.77, APFT 12 sen to 79 sen, Voir 11.5 sen to 64.5 sen, Hightec 11 sen to 87 sen, Axiata nine sen to RM5.28 and CIMB two sen to RM7.81.

Metronic was the most actively traded counter with 134.23 million shares done. The stock fell 2.5 sen to 16 sen.

Other actives included Ingenuity Solutions, Ariantec, SuperComnet, Naim Indah Corp, Carotech, Utopia, Axiata and CIMB.

Meanwhile, decliners included Genting Plantations, SMPC, PPB, Warisan, Cepco, Can-One, Petronas Dagangan, Takaful and United Plantations.



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Stocks to watch: TH Plantations, AirAsia, MAS, Kumpulan H&L

KUALA LUMPUR: Stocks on Bursa Malaysia could advance on Friday, Oct 21, following fresh positive economic data from the US while interest could continue to be focused on glove makers and selected stocks.

But overall market sentiment would be cautious, as sentiment always hinges on the volatile European and US economic data.

On Wall Street, stocks ended with modest gains on Thursday, shifting back and forth on incremental developments in Europe where leaders sought to reassure investors that a solution to the debt crisis would come soon.

Germany and France released a statement on Thursday saying leaders would now hold two summits to discuss the debt crisis, with a solution in place by Wednesday's second meeting.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended up 37.16 points, or 0.32 percent, at 11,541.78. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 5.51 points, or 0.46 percent, at 1,215.39. The Nasdaq Composite Index  was down 5.42 points, or 0.21 percent, at 2,598.62.

At Bursa Malaysia, among the stocks to watch are TH PLANTATION []s Bhd, AIRASIA BHD [] and MALAYSIAN AIRLINE SYSTEM BHD [] (MAS)and Kumpulan H&L High-Tech Bhd.

TH Plantations’ earnings rose 53.8% to RM33.12 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 from RM21.53 million a year ago as it benefited from higher prices for crude palm oil, palm kernel and fresh fruit bunches. Its revenue increased 37.7% to RM115.97 million from RM84.22 million. Earnings per share were 6.51 sen compared with 4.41 sen.

For the nine-month period, its earnings jumped 85.6% to RM87.12 million from RM46.93 million while revenue increased by 27.9% to RM303.73 million from RM237.44 million.

AirAsia and MAS have appointed their own independent advisers to advise the non-interested directors and the non-interested shareholders of each airline on the proposed warrants exchange.

Kumpulan H&L High-Tech’s 70% owned subsidiary in Thailand has temporarily ceased its operations there due to the severe floods.

H&L High-Tech Mould (Thailand) Co. Ltd. (H&LM) located at Bangpa-In Industrial Estate, Ayutthaya had halted its operations. H&LM manufactures metal parts for electronic and metal surface treatment.

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (M) [] Bhd’s earnings rose 3.3% to RM176.27 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30 from RM179.65 million. Its revenue increased by to RM1.104 billion from RM993.59 million, earnings per share were 61.70 sen compared with 59.80 sen. It declared an interim dividend tax exempt of 60 sen a share compared with 64 sen a year ago.