Review & Outlook

The local market rebounded on Thursday, led by utility, property and healthcare stocks, on hopes the ECB will move to cut rates and softer US labour market may encourage the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. The FBM KLCI rose 6.2 points to close at 1,614.73, off an early high of 1,617.05 and low of 1,609.34, as gainers led losers 770 to 475 on robust turnover of 5.35bn shares worth RM4.5bn.

Stocks should remain upbeat on hopes softening US jobs data will influence the Federal Reserve to a more dovish position on US interest rates. Immediate index resistance stays at 1,640, with 1,660 and then 1,680 as tougher upside hurdles ahead. Immediate uptrend supports will be 1,598, then 1,584 and 1,554, the respective 30-day, 50-day and 100-day moving averages.

Gadang will need breakout confirmation above the 123.6%FP (49sen) to boost upside momentum and target the 138.2%FP (52sen) and 150%FP (54sen) ahead, while the 50-day ma (42sen) and 100-day ma (40sen) provide uptrend supports. MRCB need to overcome the 50-day ma (67sen) and enhance upside potential to aim for the 200%FP (74sen) and 223.6%FP (79sen) going forward, while the 100-day ma (62sen) and 138.2%FP (60sen) limits downside.

News Bites

• Sunway Bhd will make its entry into the FBM KLCI effective 24 June as AMMB Holdings Bhd will be removed from the 30-stock benchmark index.

• Country View Bhd is disposing of three pieces of freehold commercial land totalling 36.59 sq m in Johor Baru to Paragon View Sdn Bhd for RM47.3mn.

• Nestcon Bhd has secured a RM37.7mn contract for construction works on a development project in Kota Seri Langat in Banting, Selangor.

• Jati Tinggi Group Bhd said its 30% joint venture company has secured a RM25.6mn contract from Tenaga Nasional Bhd to install a 132kV underground double circuit cable for a semiconductor factory in Kuala Lumpur.

• TAFI Industries Bhd's wholly-owned unit, TA Furniture & Projects Sdn Bhd is disposing of one of its industrial premises comprising a factory annexed with a storey office in Muar, Johor for RM12.0mn.

• Kinergy Advancement Bhd is acquiring PT Green Energy Specialist One Tbk from Green Energy Specialist Pte Ltd for RM8.9mn to build a 4.26- megawatt biogas plant in Aceh, Indonesia.

• Duopharma Biotech Bhd is currently reviewing merger and acquisition proposals for firms in Indonesia and the Philippines, as it bids to diversify revenue streams geographically.

• The Italian government has again rejected the proposed disposal by KNM Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary KNM Europa BV of its entire stake in FBM Hudson Italiana SpA.

• Tasco Bhd plans to invest an additional RM400mn from now to 2026 to expand its warehouse capacity.

• Parkson Holdings Bhd said two of its units in mainland China have renewed their respective tenancies for another 10 years until December 2034.

• Nextgreen Global Bhd has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sawit Palm Oil Industrial Cluster Sdn Bhd on establishing the 400- acre Green Technology Park Sandakan in Sabah.

• Sime Darby Property Bhd has proposed an internal reorganisation that involves transferring selected assets, liabilities and business activities to its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

• Paramount Corp Bhd is aiming to grow its overseas contribution from the property scene to 30% of its net profit within the next seven years.

• Initial claims for state unemployment benefits in the US rose 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 229,000 for the week ended June 1, higher than economists' forecast polled by Reuters.

• The European Central Bank has cut its deposit rate to 3.75% from a record-high of 4.0%.

• Global semiconductor sales are projected to increase 16.0% in 2024 and 12.5% in 2025, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association.

Source: TA Research - 7 Jun 2024