Review & Outlook

As last week's trading sessions saw a lack of definite direction for the FBM KLCI, stocks are likely to extend the current listless trading with investors still uncertain over the near-term prospects for the local market. Conflicting technical momentum indicators suggest further sideways consolidation ahead, but bearish trend indicators imply mild downward bias, pending the emergence of positive local catalysts to lift the market as it begins trading for the second half of the year.

Stronger index supports are at 1,566, the 100-day moving average level, and 1,550, while immediate resistance is from the early June high of 1,622, with the May high of 1,632 and 1,640 as tougher upside hurdles.

As for stock picks this week, any further weakness on selective construction, oil & gas and technology related counters should attract bargain hunters anticipating recovery potential ahead.

News Bites

• Fitch Ratings on Friday affirmed Malaysia's sovereign rating at BBB+ with a 'stable' outlook, citing strong medium-term growth prospects, but flagged high public debt, low government revenue, and near-term political challenges.

• There will be no increase in electricity tariffs for all users in Peninsular Malaysia from July 1 until Dec 31, according to the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation.

• Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd's two subsidiaries are seeking a summary judgment from the High Court against MYAirline Sdn Bhd for an outstanding RM17.74 mn owed by the troubled carrier.

• Haily Group Bhd has secured a RM53.72 million contract from Venice View Development Sdn Bhd.

• UEM Sunrise Bhd announced its intention to file an appeal with the High Court after the Special Commissioners of Income Tax ruled in favour of the Inland Revenue Board to maintain the additional tax and penalty totaling RM73.84mn.

• Betamek Bhd has completed the acquisition of a 100.0% equity interest in Sanshin (M) Sdn Bhd, an established player in the automotive electronics manufacturing sector for RM13.4mil cash.

• Kawan Renergy has secured an RM11.8 million contract to convert a bioethanol plant in Ipoh, Perak from using molasses as feedstock, to corn.

• SNS Network Technology Bhd has received a purchase order worth RM85.52mil for artificial intelligence super servers from one of the leading e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

• ACE Market-bound Sik Cheong Bhd has entered into an underwriting agreement with TA Securities Holdings Bhd in conjunction with its upcoming IPO.

• Kucingko Bhd has fixed its IPO price at 30 sen per share to gross RM60mn from the ACE Market, with the company set to be the first listed animation production studio in Malaysia.

• Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz, former managing director and CEO of the now-defunct Malaysian Airline System Bhd, has joined the board of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd as a nonindependent non-executive director, effective July 1.

• Sentoria Group Bhd announced that its CEO, Datuk Loh Yuen Tuck, will immediately resume his duties following a one-month suspension due to alleged misconduct.

• YTL Power International Bhd, CelcomDigi Bhd, Maxis Bhd, and Umobile announced the official completion of a share subscription agreement with Digital Nasional Bhd and the Ministry of Finance.

• Coastal Contracts Bhd has secured a one-year extension of its charter contract for a liftboat, valued at RM64.1 million.

• Cypark Resources Bhd reported a net loss of RM57.9mn for 4QFY2024 on revenue of RM56.3mn. mainly due to derecognition of deferred tax assets.

• Hiap Teck Venture Bhd's net profit for 3QFY2024 surged threefold to RM46.82 mn from RM15.03 mn a year earlier, driven by a higher share of profit from a joint venture company.

• China's manufacturing activity fell for a second month in June as the Manufacturing PMI stood at 49.5.

• The US core PCE increased 2.6% YoY in May, the smallest advance since March 2021, after rising 2.8% in April.

Source: TA Research - 1 Jul 2024