Weaker regional sentiment weighs KLCI down

KUALA LUMPUR (May 11): The weaker investor sentiment at regional markets weighed on the FBM KLCI and led the benchmark index lower at the mid-day break on Friday.

Asian shares slid on Friday, spawning declines in other risk assets, as deepening political turmoil in the eurozone fuelled concerns about global growth and a huge loss from JPMorgan added to jittery sentiment, according to Reuters.

At the mid-day break, the FBM KLCI fell 1.14 points to 1,586.92.

Losers led gainers by 362 to 176, while 330 counters trade unchanged. Volume was 475.81 million shares valued at RM374.95 million.

The ringgit weakened 0.15% to 3.0725 versus the greenback, crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery fell RM41 per tonne to RM3,299, crude oil lost US$1.27 (RM3.90) per barrel to US$95.81 and gold fell US$9.25 an ounce to US$1,584.77.

At the regional markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.48% to 8,966.10, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 1.18% to 19,989.50, the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.25% to 2,404.31, Taiwan's Taiex fell 1.23% to 7,391.94, south Korea's Kospi lost 1.37% to 1,918.33 and Singapore's Straits Times Index was down 0.72% to 2,882.77.

On Bursa Malaysia, PPB was the top loser in the morning session and fell 34 sen to RM16.14, BAT lost 30 sen to RM53.70, United PLANTATION []s down 24 sen to RM26.26, GAB 22 sen to RM13.40, Southern Acids 19 sen to RM2.26, Tasek 17 sen to RM9.19, while Milux, Shell and Far East lost 10 sen each to RM1.18, RM9.90 and RM7.55 respectively.

Harvest Court was the most actively traded counter, with 37.29 million shares done. The stock fell 4.5 sen to 58 sen.

Other actives included Utopia, Focus, Ariantec, Permaju, LFE Corp, Naim Indah Corp, CSL, Winsun and Metronic.

Gainers included SAM Engineering, Aeon Credit, Aeon, Tahps, Binutulu Port, BLD Plantations, Malpac and Fiamma.



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KLCI claws back to close higher

KUALA LUMPUR (APRIL 26): The FBM KLCI clawed back to reverse its losses and close higher on Thursday in line with the advance at most key regional markets, on the back of the firmer overnight close at Wall Street and encouraging statements on policy from the US Federal Reserve.

The FBM KLCI rose 0.34 of a point to 1,579.69 at 5pm, clawing back from its intra-day low of 1,577.71.

Market breadth remained weak with 453 losers, 253 gainers and 321 counters trading unchanged. Volume was 1.45 billion shares valued at RM1.46 billion.

Asian shares rose on Thursday, retaining positive momentum as the Federal Reserve reassured markets it would keep its very accommodative stance to support growth, while optimism grew over strong quarterly corporate earnings.

Investor confidence was also boosted by a rally in Apple Inc shares as it reported quarterly profits nearly doubling on the back of soaring iPhone sales in China, lifting tech-heavy Asian markets such as Taiwan and South Korea earlier in the day.

There was scepticism Asian markets would climb as much as their global counterparts did overnight, however, as concerns remain over European banks, with Spain's Santander reporting its first-quarter results later in the session, it said.

At the regional markets, the Hong Kong’s hang Seng Index gained 0.79% to 20,809.71, Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.01% to 9,561.83, south Korea’s Kospi rose 0.10% to 1,964.04 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s taiex fell 0.55% to 7,521.35 and the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.09% to 2,40470.

On Bursa Malaysia, United PLANTATION []s led the gainers and was up 44 sen to RM25.94, Panasonic added 40 sen to RM23, BAT up 38 sen to RM55.50, Dutch Lady added 20 sen to RM33.90. Milux 15 sen to RM1.35, KrisAssets and Tradewinds Plantations up 14 sen each to RM6.90 and RM5.70, while Takaful and KPJ Healthcare rose 13 sen each to RM3.80 and RM5.56.

Utopia was the most actively traded counter with 194.51 million shares done. The stock fell half a sen to 9 sen.

Other actives included Ariantec, Metronic, Focus, Naim Indah Corp, SCL, Astral Supreme and ManagePay.

Decliners included Country View, Jaya Tiasa, HLFG, SapuraCrest, Petronas Dagangan, Genting, Kencana, SEGi and Sunway.



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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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KLCI snaps winning streak, drops below 1,600-level

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): The FBM KLCI snapped its winning streak on Wednesday and fell below the 1,600-point level, in line with the retreat at most global markets after on generally weaker sentiment at key regional markets following the overnight dip at Wall Street.

The FBM KLCI fell 7.36 points to close at 1,599.27, weighed by losses and banking and select blue chips.

"Stocks and the euro fell on Wednesday after the US Federal Reserve dimmed hopes for fresh asset-buying, further underlining its divergence with an embattled Europe that remains in crisis-fighting mode," according to Reuters.

Overnight minutes from the Fed's March meet showed less support for more quantitative easing (QE), or bond-buying, in the face of improved economic data, which buoyed the dollar and hit stocks in both the United States and Asia, it said.

With Europe still battling its debt crisis and struggling with economic growth, the focus later will be on the European Central Bank's latest rate-setting meeting, with rates expected to remain on hold at 1%, said Reuters.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.29% to 9,819.99, South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.60% to 2,018.61, and Taiwan’s Taiex lost 1.3% to 7,760.85, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index

The Hong Kong and Shanghai markets were closed for a public holiday.

On Bursa Malaysia, among the banking stocks, CIMB and RHB Capital lost nine sen each to RM7.72 and RM7.74, Hong Leong Bank and HLFG lost eight sen each to RM12.38 and RM12.48, AMMB down six sen to RM6.32, while Public Bank shed two sen to RM13.78.

Among the other decliners, BAT fell 64 sen to RM55.58, Dutch lady down 44 sen to RM35.50, Carlsberg fell 20 sen to RM10.60, F&N 18 sen to RM19, Sarawak Oil Palms 13 sen to RM6.81, while BLD PLANTATION []s, Cepco, Shell, Tenaga and PPB fell 10 sen each to RM9.15, RM1.55, RM10.18, RM6.47 and RM16.60 respectively.

GAB was the top gainer and rose 16 sen to RM13.20, Milux gained 15 sen to RM1.40, GBH 13 sen to RM1.25, Kamdar 12.5 sen to 49.5 sen, Malpac and JCY 10 sen each to RM1.59 and RM1.29, Tradewinds Plantations nine sen to RM4.94, Kurasia 6.5 sen to 63.5 sen and Tradewinds up six sen to RM9.60.

The actives included Ingenuity Solutions, Metronic, Cerotech, ManagePay, Naim Indah Corp, Ariantec, JCY and SuperComNet.



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KLCI snaps four-day winning streak, dips at mid-day break

KUALA LUMPUR (APRIL 4): The FBM KLCI snapped its four –day winning streak and retreated at the mid-day break on Wednesday, in line with the generally weaker sentiment at key regional markets following the overnight dip at Wall Street.

Asian shares fell on Wednesday after the minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's March meeting suggested the bank was less inclined to take further stimulus measures, leaving investors looking for more clues to the global growth outlook, according to Reuters

Fed policymakers remained focused on a still elevated jobless rate while noting signs of slightly stronger growth, but the minutes suggested the appetite for further quantitative easing, so-called QE3 has waned significantly in light of an improving U.S. economy, it said.

At the mid-day break, the FBM KLCI was down 5.78 points to 1,600.85, weighed by losses at select blue chips.

Market breadth turned negative with losers leading gainers by 369 to 199, while 315 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 571.84 million shares valued at RM399.87 million.

The ringgit weakend 0.45% to 3.0613 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery rose RM31 per tonne to RM3,530, crude oil shed 32 cents per barrel to US$103.69 whiel gold fell US$1.82 an ounce to US$1,644.30.

At the regional markets, Japan's Nikkei share average abruptly broke below 10,000 to hit a four-week low on Wednesday, after stop-losses were triggered on index futures, raising concerns that Tokyo's strong equities rally so far this year was coming to a halt.

The Nikkei 225 fell 1.59% to 9,890.65, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost 1.31% to 20,790.90, Taiwan’s Taiex and South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.3% each respectively to 7,760.85 and 2,022.54 respectively, Singapore’s Straits Times Index shed 0.38% to 3,003.16 while the Shangai Composite Index edged up 0.47% to 2,262.79 .

BIMB Securities Research in a note Wednesday said that traders I the US resorted to profit on Tuesday taking amid signs that additional stimulus were diminishing from the Feds latest signal.

As such, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 65 points to just below the 13,200 level.

We find this odd as we interpret this as positive and that the US economy is on auto pilot without the requirement of more financial steroids.

Regionally, Asian markets were slightly higher across the board except for Taiwan being hit hard from rumours that capital gains tax may be imposed on stock trades.

Meanwhile, the FBM KLCI continued with its uptrend with another record high via another 2.9 point gain to close at almost 1,607.

Nonetheless, we noticed that investors are becoming wary of the local bourse’s recent uptrend and believe a correction would emerge anytime soon.

“Foreign funds had again flowed into the market with another net positive of RM203 million yesterday.”

“Despite the foreign buying, we reckon the index may see some retracement today albeit marginally,” it said.

On Bursa Malaysia, Shell was the top loser in the morning session and fell 14 sen to RM10.14, PPB lost 12 sen to RM16.58, Litrak, Carlsberg and AFG fell 10 sen each to RM3.94, RM10.70 and RM3.86 respectively, Sop and Amway lost nine sen each to RM6.85 and RM9.80, Inno down eight sen to RM1.42, while MMHE and RHB Capital fell seven sen each to RM3.39 and RM7.70.

Among the gainers, Milux added 15 sen to RM1.40, Tradewinds and malPac up 10 sen each to RM9.64 and RM1.59, Tradewinds PLANTATION []s seven sen to RN4.92, Ewein and MBM Resources up six sen each to 84 sen and RM4.8, whiel Quality Concrete, Fiamma and NSOP added five sen each to RM1.29, RM1.15 and RM6.15 respectively.



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Milux to raise RM5.87 million from private placement

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14) : Milux Corp Bhd may raise up to RM5.87 million from a planned private placement of new shares in the electrical appliances manufacturer to finance the firm’s working capital needs.

In a statement to the exchange on Wednesday, Milux said it plans to place out up to 4.66 million shares at an indicative price of RM1.26 each to third party investors.

“General working capital requirements may include financing of existing business operations, amongst others, the payment of general expenses, payment of staff related expenses, and other operating and marketing expenses,” Milux said.

Milux shares fell eight sen to close at RM1.28.



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KLCI falls further at mid-day break, sentiment stays weak

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 16): The FBM KLCI fell below the 1,520-point level on Monday as key regional markets retreated, spooked by Standard & Poor’s cut of the sovereign debt rating of nine of the euro zone's 17 countries.

At the mid-day break, the FBM KLCI fell 11.15 points to 1,511.92, weighed by losses at select blue chips including Genting, Petronas Dagangan and Genting PLANTATION []s.

Market breadth was negative with losers beating gainers by 486 to 141, while 256 counters traded unchanged.

The ringgit weakened 0.51% to 3.1481 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures fell RM23 per tonne to RM3,125, crude oil gained 18 cents per barrel to US$98.88 while gold slipped US$1.60 an ounce to US$1,637.40.

Asian markets fell as worries that European financial troubles would hurt the global economy and sap appetite for commodities weighed on industrial metals such as copper, while a shift to perceived safe haven assets boosted Japanese government bonds, according to Reuters.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.54% to 8,369.23, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 0.95% to 19,021.80, South Korea’s Kospi was down 1.56% to 1,846.43, Singapore’s Straits Times Index lost 1.25% to 2,756.74, Taiwan’s Taiex fell 0.87% to 7,118.79 and the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.56% to 2,231.98.

On Bursa Malaysia, Dutch Lady and BAT fell 52 sen each to RM25.26 and RM49.24, Genting down 24 sen to RM10.64, Milux 21 sen to RM1.23, Petronas Dagangan 20 sen to RM17.20, F&N 18 sen to RM18.72, Degem 16 sne to 90 sen, Parkson 15 sen to RM5.55, Genting Plantations 13 sen to RM8.98 while Mentiga fell 12.5 sen to 67 sen.

Compugates was the most actively traded counter with 114.1 million shares done. The stock added one sen to 8 sen.

Other actives included Asia Media, Ingenuity Solutions, RedTone, Digistar, Can-One, YTL Land, Hubline and Hovid.

Gainers included Can-One, Supermax, Far East, Tasek, Kian Joo, Eng Kah and Aeon.



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KLCI stays firmly above 1,510-level at mid-day

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 30): The FBM KLCI stayed firmly above the 1,510-point level at the mid-day break on Friday, as global markets mostly pushed towards ending the year on a positive note.

At the mid-day break, the FBM KLCI rose 7.23 points to 1,513.92.

Gainers led losers by 337 to 254, while 333 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 572.05 million shares valued at RM483.97 million.

The ringgit strengthened 0.02pct to 3.1772 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery gained RM13 per tonne to RM3,168, crude oil was up 12 cents to US$99.77 while gold added US$8.28 an ounce to US$1,554.25.

Meanwhile, Asian stocks nudged higher and the euro clung to overnight gains on Friday, the last trading day of 2011, as positive data from the United States helped allay concerns on the global economy, while year-end short covering lifted crude prices, according to Reuters.

Still, the region's stocks have collectively lost about a fifth of their value this year, as natural calamities and financial turmoil took a toll on the risk appetite of investors, driving them to safer assets such as the US dollar and gold.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.42% to 8,434.55, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.41% to 18,472.76, the Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.82% to 2,191.46, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.25% to 2,666.17 and Taiwan’s Taiex shed 0.09% to 7,068.56.

On Bursa Malaysia, gainers were led by BAT that rose 28 sen to RM49.88, Lipo Corp 14.5 sen to RM1.13, IJM Corp 13 sen to RM5.67, Faber and IOI Corp 12 sen each to RM1.74 and RM5.40, Milux 11 sen to RM1.26, LPI Capital up 10 sen to RM13.60, while Aeon and AIRB added nine sen each to RM7.30 and RM1.65.

Among the decliners, Nestle fell 50 sen to RM55.50, SHH 15 sen to 25 sen, Sunchirin nine sen to RM1.36, Hunza PROPERTIES [], Theta and DKSH lost seven sen each to RM1.42, 50 sen and RM1.58 respectively.

Mulpha was the most actively traded counter with 32.66 million shares done. The stock added one sen to 39.5 sen.

Other actives included Utopia, Sanichi, TMS, Cybertowers and LFE Corp.



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KLCI extends losses at mid-day break

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 25): The FBM KLCI extended its losses at the mid-day break on Friday as key regional markets mostly remained in negative territory, as investor sentiment continued to be jittery on concerns of a wider impact from the eurozone debt crisis.

Asian markets fell as statements by German and French officials convinced markets that leaders were no closer to a consensus on how to contain the euro-zone debt crisis, according to Reuters.

The FBM KLCI lost 13.56 points to 1,434.43 at 12.30pm, weighed by losses at blue chips including Genting, Axiata and Petronas Gas.

Losers led gainers by 372 to 222, while 264 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 889.02 million shares valued at RM480.66 million.

The ringgit weakened 0.23% to 3.1933 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery fell RM3 per tonne to RM3,105, crude oil added 47 cents per barrel to US$96.64 while gold slipped US$1.63 an ounce to US$1,692.70.

At the regional markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.29% to 17,704.54, Taiwan’s Taiex lost 1.62% to 6,753.47, South Korea’s Kospi was down 1.35% to 1,770.89, Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 1.08% to 2,648.24 and the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.39% to 2,388.86.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.03% to 8,167.25.

On Bursa Malaysia, Nestle, Milux and Genting lost 20 sen each to RM50.40, RM1.05 and RM10.08 respectively, Tradewinds fell 10 sen to RM9.30, PPB and MNRB down 18 sen each to RM16.08 and RM2.68, MMHE 16 sen to RM5.70, while Axiata and Petronas Gas fell 14 sen each to RM4.82 and RM13.12.

Among the gainers, Hong Leong Bank added 22 sen to RM10.42, F&N up 20 sen to RM17.90, TDM 19 sen to RM3.48, Knusford 16 sen to RM1.95, Supermax nine sen to RM3.51, while OIB, Batu Kawan and Tecnic added eight sen each to RM1.39, RM16.60 and RM2.80, respectively.

The actives included MUI Industries, Sumatec, JCY shares and warrants, MBF Holdings warrants and Emico.



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