Review & Outlook

Blue chips were stuck in narrow trading ranges on Tuesday, with most investors sidelined pending clearer leads from key economic data from the US to gauge the current growth momentum. The FBM KLCI rose 4.61 points to 1,615.08, off an early low of 1,609.7 and high of 1,619.05, but losers edged gainers 497 to 490 on muted trade totaling 2.48bn shares worth RM2.26bn.

Stocks should stay rangebound in the near term as investors remain cautious and assess more economic data on the current health of key global economies. Immediate support stays at the 1,600 psychological level, with the next crucial support coming in at the 200-day moving average level of 1,590, and next at 1,575, the 76.4%FR level. Immediate resistance is adjusted lower to the recent high of 1,648, with next upside hurdles at 1,660, and recent highs of 1,675 and 1,684.

Any further weakness on Gadang should attract bargain hunters looking for rebound upside towards the 38.2%FR (37sen) with stronger resistance coming from the 50%FR (40sen) and 61.8%FR (43sen) ahead, with key support at 30sen and the 26/05/23 low (28sen) capping downside risk. Gamuda needs a confirmed breakout above the 23/10/24 high (RM8.85) to extend upside momentum towards the 123.6%FP (RM9.41) and 138.2%FP (RM10.03) ahead, with support at the lower Bollinger band (RM7.89) and 76.4%FR (RM7.43) cushioning downside.

News Bites

• Binasat Communications Bhd has secured a contract worth RM46.3mn for the supply, erection and commissioning of transmission main intake job in Genting Klang, Kuala Lumpur.

• Southern Score Builders Bhd is eyeing a transfer to the Main Market and plans to seek the approval of its shareholders at its upcoming annual general meeting, scheduled for 12 December 2024.

• Kumpulan Kitacon Bhd has received a contract from Tropicana Alam Sdn Bhd worth RM131.9mn for a housing project in Kuala Selangor.

• Bina Puri Holdings Bhd announced that its subsidiary Sumbangan Lagenda Sdn Bhd has completed the drawdown of its RM73.0mn credit financing facility from Islamic banking group MBSB Bhd.

• Agmo Holdings Bhd wholly owned Agmo Studio Sdn Bhd has signed a MoU with YYC GST Consultants Sdn Bhd to work on providing advanced tools for businesses, with a particular focus on small and medium enterprises.

• Singapore-based steel firm Green Esteel Pte Ltd will emerge as Southern Steel Bhd's new controlling shareholder after completion of its proposed issuance of 752.1mn new shares, which represents 50.1% of Southern Steel's enlarged issued capital, to Esteel for 42.0sen/share or a total of RM315.9mn.

• Salcon Bhd owned subsidiary Kencana Kesuma Sdn Bhd has ceased its moneylending activities on 21 September 2024 after it decided not to renew its moneylenders' licence.

• TopVision Eye Specialist Bhd has signed an underwriting agreement with Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd to transfer its listing from the LEAP Market to the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

• Winstar Capital Bhd has secured an approval from Bursa Malaysia for its ACE Market listing.

• Smile-Link Healthcare Global Bhd is seeking a temporary suspension of trading of its shares, on the same day it announced it is unable to meet the deadline to release its latest audited financial statements.

• Techna-X Bhd is unable to release its annual report for the financial period ended 30 June 2024 to Bursa Securities and shareholders by Thursday, 31 October 2024.

• Symphony Life Bhd's former chief financial officer Ng Ying Yiing and former group adviser Datuk David Goh were charged at the Sessions Court in Shah Alam for using RM2.6mn in company funds to purchase shares in Cycle and Carriage Bintang Bhd, without board approval.

• Malayan Banking Bhd has officially named insider Michael Oh-Lau as the head of its investment banking operations in Malaysia, on top of his regional role.

• Telekom Malaysia Bhd has appointed Ahmad Fairus Rahim as its new group chief financial officer, effective 1 November 2024.

• Chin Teck Plantations Bhd 4QFY24 net profit surged 64.3% YoY to RM22.5mn, thanks to higher sales volume and average selling prices of fresh fruit bunches, crude palm oil and palm kernel.

• Singapore's manufacturing producer price index fell 9.0% YoY in September, following a 5.7% decline in August.

• The US single-family home prices increased 0.3% MoM in August amid still tight supply, which together with elevated mortgage rates continue to keep prospective buyers on the sidelines.

Source: TA Research - 30 Oct 2024