Review & Outlook

The local market stayed in profit-taking consolidation mode on Thursday, led by oil & gas and technology heavyweights, ignoring the strong performance on North Asian markets sparked by China's stimulus measures. The FBM KLCI slipped 2.06 points to close at 1,671.32, off an early high of 1,672.60 and low of 1,666.19, as losers beat gainers 582 to 525 on moderate turnover of 3.13bn shares worth RM2.83bn.

While stocks remain in consolidation, expectations for further foreign fund inflows amidst the strong ringgit and hopes for further interest rate cuts by key global central banks should underpin sentiment. Immediate index resistance is retained at the high of 1,684, then 1,695, the Dec 2020 high, as tougher resistance. Immediate support will be at 1,650, then the recent correction low of 1,633, with 1,620 and 1,600 acting as stronger supports.

Further rally on Duopharma would aggravate overbought momentum and increase profit-taking resistance, specifically towards the 23.6%FR (RM1.47) and RM1.55, while pullbacks should find supports at the 50%FR (RM1.31) and 61.8%FR (RM1.24). Pharmaniaga is still in base building mode, with chart supports at the lower Bollinger band (36sen) and 23.6%FR (33sen) cushioning downside, while a confirmed breakout above the 38.2%FR (40sen) should aim for the 50%FR (46sen) and 61.8%FR (51sen) ahead.

News Bites

• Malaysia's producer price index eased to 0.3% YoY in August, compared with 1.3% in the previous month.

• Malaysia has climbed to 33rd place out of 133 countries in the 2024 Global Innovation Index with an overall score of 40.5, a significant improvement after holding 36th spot for three consecutive years.

• Gamuda Bhd proposed a one-for-one bonus issue, involving an issuance of up to RM3.0bn bonus shares that will be issued as fully paid, without consideration and capitalisation of the group's reserves.

• Capital A Bhd, is planning to introduce mandatory carbon fees on air travel across all AirAsia operations starting January 2025.

• HCK Capital Group Bhd is issuing new shares to settle the bulk of an outstanding RM113.4mn debt that its subsidiary owes its executive chairman Tan Sri Clement Hii Chii Kok.

• MSR Green Energy Sdn Bhd, an associate company of Seal Incorporated Bhd, has roped in Sungrow, a China-based solar photovoltaic inverter and energy storage system provider, to develop a RM645.0mn battery energy storage system project in Sabah.

• Citaglobal Bhd has secured a RM47.6mn job for construction works for Package 8 of the Simpang Pulai-Gua Musang-Kuala Berang road project from Kampung Jeneris to Kuala Telemong (Phase 2 and 3) in Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu.

• Yenher Holdings Bhd is purchasing a fish mill and pet food and silos for US$4.4mn cash.

• Censof Holdings Bhd has secured a RM5.4mn contract from Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial to provide maintenance services for an accounting system.

• Reservoir Link Energy Bhd's subsidiary Reservoir Link Solutions Sdn Bhd has signed a MoU with Ad Terra Asia Sdn Bhd to explore collaboration opportunities in carbon capture, utilisation, and storage projects.

• Trading in the shares of Lambo Group Bhd will be suspended from 4 October 2024 and will be delisted on 8 October 2024, unless an appeal is submitted to the regulator by 3 October 2024.

• Northeast Group Bhd aims to raise about RM84.5mn from its initial public offering ahead of its ACE Market listing on 15 October 2024.

• Supreme Consolidated Resources Bhd, a distributor of frozen food products, has signed an agreement with Kenanga Investment Bank to underwrite its initial public offering on the ACE Market.

• Hiap Teck Venture Bhd's 4QFY24 net profit up by 11.5% YoY to RM47.5mn largely due to a substantial increase in the share of profit from a joint venture entity resulting from favourable foreign exchange translation effects and higher capacity.

• Gamuda Bhd 4QFY24's net profit increased 8.2% YoY to RM272.5mn while quarterly revenue expanded 38.7% YoY to RM4.7bn.

• Sapura Energy Bhd posted a net loss of RM5.2mn in 2QFY25 compared to a net profit of RM5.2mn last year.

• AEON Credit Service (M) Bhd 2QFY25 net profit declined 40.8% YoY to RM71.2mn owing to higher impairment losses on financing receivables.

• China plans to issue special sovereign bonds worth about CNY2tn (US$284.43bn) this year as part of a fresh fiscal stimulus, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.

• Initial claims for state unemployment benefits in the US dropped 4,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 218,000 for the week ended Sept 21.

Source: TA Research - 27 Sept 2024