The MRT Project: Sources say five companies have prequalify to bid for the MRT tunneling project, with tender documents slated to be given to the companies today. It is understood that Gamuda and MMC Corp JV, China's Sinohydro Group Ltd and South Korea's SK Holdings have been prequalified. The other two parties which have shortlisted are from Japan and China.

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REDtone has been posting net losses since its 2008 financial year and the market will be keenly watching its first-quarter results, due to be announced sometime Oct 2011 for an indication that the company has indeed made a turn for the better. REDtone has now stabilised and believes it is at a tipping point where the business can be profitable.

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The China-based companies: These companies listed in Bursa appear to be staging a comeback after seven counters hit rock bottom in late Sept 2011. However market observers remain cautious on the extent of gains the China stocks can sustain. Apart from battling soft market conditions, China companies have had to contend with larger issues, which have done little to draw investors.

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While China stocks have been dogged by negative perception, investor confidence is also affected by news that the US Securities and Exchange Commission is reviewing accounting problems of foreign stock issuers. Dozens of China based companies have had book keeping irregularities with resignations of auditors since 2011. Adding to that, the US Justice Department had in Sept 2011 begun investigating alleged accounting irregularities listed in US stock exchanges.

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Regulatory woes aside, the prospects of Chinese firms have been uncertain after the government launched fiscal tightening measures aimed at stabilizing China's inflation rates, with the unintended consequence of impacting China's small and medium enterprises.

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Rubber Stocks: The strengthening of US dollar against the ringgit had brought glove makers back in favor. Given the improving factors, glove markers are expecting better profitability ahead. Investors viewed rubber glove stocks as defensive counters during bearish market conditions. Whether in times of recession or not, the healthcare sector will always have demand for gloves.

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Gemas-Johor Baru Double Rail Tracking Line: The government will soon call the tender for the project, the last leg of Peninsular Malaysia's north-south electrified double tracking project, which is slated for completion by 2016.