we argued that stock indices / share prices tend to zigzag and not move in straight lines in any direction. Since there has been no deep pullback after the global stocks rally started in Mar last
year, the ongoing stock market corrections may be viewed as typical and transitory, although we could not say for sure how long more the selling momentum would persist. If the prevailing equities sell-offs around the world go on, it would inevitably upset sentiment on our domestic bourse too, even though there is little foreign money parked in Malaysia shares at the moment. (Bursa Malaysia revealed last week that foreign ownership as a percentage of overall market capitalization slid further from 20.9% in end-Oct 09 to 20.4% in end-Dec 09).

In the meantime, investors will be keeping their eyes on any implications arising from specific developments on the home front. The calendar in the fortnight ahead covers:

1. macro economic reports like the index of industrial production for Dec 09 due on Wednesday (10 Feb);
2. industry statistics such as production, exports and inventory in Jan 10 for the plantations sector scheduled also on Wednesday; and
3. corporate financial announcements including from AMMB Holdings (Monday, 8 Feb 2010), Maybank (Tuesday, 9 Feb 2010) and British American Tobacco (M) (Thursday, 22 Feb 2010).
   

After falling as much as 4.6% from its recent peak of 1,308.52 over 10 days, the FBM KLCI is now approaching its technically oversold territory. A relief rebound could be forthcoming sooner or later based on past precedents. The essential question to ask is the strength and sustainability of any bounce-up.

Standing presently at where it was back in early Nov 09, we reckon the benchmark index would want to regain its footing by targeting to reach its resistance thresholds of 1,255 (immediate) and 1,280 (next) going forward. On the other hand, should the selling activity resume, we have set 1,230 (first) and 1,200 (second) to be the support levels for the FBM KLCI. Meanwhile, trading interest in the coming fortnight could dwindle slightly before and after the holiday break, as the Year of the Metal Tiger prepares to leap in this Sunday.