Review & Outlook

Stocks extended mild gains on Wednesday, helped by overnight strength on Wall Street fueled by optimism that easing inflation data could encourage the US Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. The FBM KLCI gained 2.83 points to close at 1,612.35, off an early low of 1,606.49 and high of 1,613.63, as gainers edged losers 574 to 439 on total turnover of 3.57bn shares worth RM2.51bn.

The local market should sustain mild uptrend on the back of the firm overnight US market closing, on hopes easing inflation could entice the US Federal Reserve to loosen monetary policy more aggressively. Immediate index resistance stays at 1,620, followed by 1,628 and then 1,638, while immediate supports are at 1,580, then 1,550 and recent low of 1,529, with 1,520 and 1,500 as stronger supports.

Tenaga will need decisive breakout above the 11/7/24 high (RM14.62) for uptrend continuation and aim for the 123.6%FP (RM16.03) and 138.2%FP (RM16.91) going forward, with uptrend support from the rising 100-day ma (RM13.02) cushioning downside. Likewise, TM need breakout momentum renewal above the 16/7/24 high (RM7.19) to aim for the 123.6%FP (RM7.81) and 138.2%FP (RM8.19) ahead, with the 100-day ma (RM6.47) providing uptrend support on any potential selloffs.

News Bites

• Bank Negara Malaysia on Wednesday imposed administrative penalties Malayan Banking Bhd and CIMB Group, the country's top two banks, for prolonged service disruptions in breach of financial services laws.

• Paragon Globe Bhd said it has entered into a deal to undertake its first serviced apartment project in Johor Bahru, with an estimated gross development value of RM1.5bn.

• V.S. Industry Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary, VS Industry Philippines Inc, has secured new orders from a key customer to manufacture selected consumer electronics products.

• Maxis Bhd has collaborated with Singtel to introduce Malaysia's pioneering all-in-one platform for 5G network, edge computing, cloud and services orchestration, developed on Singtel's Paragon for telco networks.

• Solarvest Holdings Bhd and NCT Group of Companies have commenced phase one of their solar-ready industrial park project at the NCT Smart Industrial Park in Sepang.

• Varia Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary Pembinaan Teguh Maju Sdn Bhd has secured a RM61.5mn contract from Kemuncak Pesaka Sdn Bhd for the construction of facilities at Sultan Azlan Shah campus at Sultan Idris Education University in Tanjong Malim, Perak.

• Unique Fire Holdings Bhd has entered into a joint venture agreement with Shanghai Mosafe Equipment Sdn Bhd and its Singaporean unit, Mosafe Protection Pte Ltd, with regards to the establishment of a joint venture company.

• The public portion of Elridge Energy Holdings Bhd's initial public offering has been oversubscribed by 28.8 times.

• S P Setia Bhd reported a net profit of RM404mn for the 1H24, an increase from last year's profit of RM121mn, as it gained RM361mn profit from strategic monetisation of its landbanks in Johor and Semenyih.

• Ranhill Utilities Bhd posted a 45.8% decline in net profit to RM6.5mn in the 2QFY2024, from RM12.1mn a year ago, due to an RM8mn profit reversal by its O&G subsidiary Ranhill Worley Sdn Bhd.

• Frontken Corp Bhd's 2Q24 net profit rose 4.4% to RM33.3mn, driven by gains from its Taiwan subsidiary.

• VSTECS Bhd said its 2Q24 net profit fell 2.6% to RM15.3mn from RM15.7mn a year earlier, due to higher operating expenses and a lower fair value gain.

• US consumer prices rose moderately in July as the annual increase in inflation slowed to 2.9% YoY while core inflation rose by 3.2% YoY.

Source: TA Research - 15 Aug 2024