Review & Outlook

Last week's profit-taking pullback subsequent to the sharp rally to peak at a fresh four-year high has flashed negative signals on short-term technical momentum indicators for the FBM KLCI, suggesting more profit-taking consolidation ahead. However, longer-term trend indicators remained positive, signalling uptrend continuation which should resume once buying momentum and market sentiment improves. Meantime, stronger cues from global central bankers on the direction of interest rates and inflation should also reinforce the local market's recovery momentum.

Immediate index resistance remains at last Tuesday's high of 1,660, followed by 1,680 and then 1,695, the Dec 2020 high, while immediate supports are at 1,620, then 1,600 and 1,580 acting as stronger supports.

As for stock picks this week, lower liner construction, oil & gas and semiconductor related counters should still attract bargain hunters looking to buy dips at cheaper levels for recovery upside in the near term.

News Bites

• Malaysia's Leading Index grew 3.5% YoY in June 2024.
• Telekom Malaysia Bhd said an agreement to buy a stake in Digital Nasional Bhd was terminated, after its request for additional time to seek shareholders' approval was declined.
• Sime Darby Property Bhd expects the occupancy rate for Phase 3B of Battersea Power Station in the UK to rise to 50-80% by next year, upfrom 20% currently.
• Tenaga Nasional Bhd had obtained a summary judgement of RM1.0mn,against Cenmal Commercial Sdn Bhd - a subsidiary of Country Heights Venture Sdn Bhd and Mines Cruise Sdn Bhd.
• Keyfield International Bhd has secured a RM48.0mn contract to provide an accommodation workboat with a primary charter starting August,valued at RM34.6mn and an extension option worth RM13.4mn.
• Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd's subsidiary Straits Hibiscus Sdn Bhd has signed an agreement to buy a 30% participating interest in the Block PM327production sharing contract.
• Pantech Group Holdings Bhd plans to list two wholly-owned subsidiaries,Pantech Stainless & Alloy Industries and Pantech Steel Industries, onthe Main Market of Bursa Malaysia through a special purpose vehicle named Pantech Global Bhd.
• KIP Real Estate Investment Trust is acquiring a 4,663-sq metre parcelof land in Gerik, Perak, for RM14.8mn, cash.
• Jati Tinggi Group Bhd has secured a RM39.9mn contract from YM TerasSdn Bhd to install 33kV aluminium cross-linked polyethylene underground cables and accessories for asset development in Selangor.
• Tomypak Holdings Bhd has proposed to sell a 4.1-hectare freehold landin Senai, Johor to Goldcoin Victory Sdn Bhd for RM31.0mn cash.
• S P Setia Bhd has confirmed that Datuk Choong Kai Wai remains its president and CEO, dismissing rumors of his departure.
• REDtone Digital Bhd has emerged as a substantial shareholder inHeiTech Padu Bhd upon acquiring a 6.4% equity stake comprising 7.1mn shares in the open market for RM15.4mn.
• MISC Bhd 2QFY24 net profit rose 19.43% YoY to RM540.9mn mainlydue to higher profit in the marine and heavy engineering segment.
• Affin Bank Bhd net profit edge up 4.7% YoY to RM118.6mn in 2QFY24,thanks largely to writeback of impairment losses that helped offset adecline in income.
• Allianz Malaysia Bhd reported a flat net profit of RM167.0mn in 2QFY24,up 0.2% YoY.
• D&O Green Technologies Bhd 2QFY24 net profit surged nearly 11times YoY to RM7.8mn, due to higher revenue across its main businesssegments.
• Sports Toto Bhd posted a net profit of RM67.6mn for 4QFY24, up8.4% YoY from RM62.3mn a year ago, driven by stronger performance of its principal subsidiary, STM Lottery Sdn Bhd.
• Uchi Technologies Bhd net profit grew 13.4% YoY to RM32.2mn in2QFY24, driven by the US dollar's appreciation against the ringgit.
• China's Ministry of Commerce strongly opposed a US decision to add multiple Chinese entities to its export control list over Russia-related issues and vows action.
• Japan's nationwide core consumer price index rose 2.7% YoY in July, faster than a 2.6% climb in June.
• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday endorsed an imminent start to interest rate cuts, saying further cooling in the job marketwould be unwelcome and expressing confidence that inflation is within reach of the US central bank's 2% target

Source: TA Research - 26 Aug 2024