Review & Outlook

Given the further deterioration of technical momentum and trend indicators on the FBM KLCI following last week's dip to its lowest in more than two months, more downside volatility can be expected, with bargain hunters unwilling to commit more significantly due to the lack of domestic positive catalysts. Also, sustained weakness on the local currency and rising expectations for a Donald Trump victory in the US Presidential elections early next week could complicate and dampen any near-term recovery momentum.

On the index, the key 200-day moving average level, now at 1,591, must hold to prevent further downward correction potential to next retracement support at 1,575, the 76.4%FR level, with stronger support seen at 1,535, the 61.8%FR level matching the August low. On the flipside, immediate resistance is revised lower to last week's high of 1,630, then 1,648, with next upside hurdles at 1,660 and 1,675.

On stock picks for this week, selective banking, telco and key rubber glove players should attract renewed bargain hunting interest from market players looking for rotational play after recent sharp profit-taking corrections.

News Bites

• Malaysia's seasonally adjusted manufacturing purchasing managers index was 49.5 in October, unchanged from September's level, according to S&P Global.

• The IMF has revised its forecast for Malaysia's real GDP growth for this year to 4.8% from 4.4% in April, while keeping its projection of 4.4% growth in 2025 unchanged.

• Gamuda Bhd has secured a RM451.4mn contract to build a data centre in Cyberjaya.

• IHH Healthcare Bhd said its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Pantai Holdings Sdn Bhd, has successfully issued RM4.0bn worth of Islamic bonds.

• Bumi Armada Bhd's wholly-owned Bumi Armada UK Ltd has secured a £50.0mn contract from EnQuest Heather Ltd.

• MMAG Holdings Bhd's aviation arm MMAG Aviation Consortium Sdn Bhd has received approval from the Labuan Financial Services Authority to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary in Labuan, namely MMAG Skyfleet Limited.

• Kimlun Corporation Bhd's wholly-owned Kimlun Sdn Bhd has been awarded a RM128.5mn design and build contract by Senai-Desaru Expressway Bhd.

• YNH Property Bhd's external auditor has cast doubt on the property developer's financial statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2024, citing insufficient evidence for certain ventures and contracts.

• RGT Bhd is buying 2 leasehold industrial plots for RM16.8mn, located in Simpang Ampat, Penang, to set up dedicated assembly and production lines for new customers and to enhance its production efficiency.

• Pintaras Jaya Bhd has secured 2 piling contracts in Singapore worth about RM175.0mn.

• Rexit Bhd has appointed a unit of LGMS Bhd as an independent cybersecurity audit firm to reaffirm the company's data security against breaches.

• ACE Market-listed DS Sigma Holdings Bhd announced that the group will be transferring to the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, effective this Wednesday.

• Unique Fire Holdings Bhd has proposed to transfer its listing to the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia saying it has met the profit requirements for the transfer.

• Parkwood Holdings Bhd has bought 5 parcels of freehold land in Rawang, totaling 32.3 acres, for RM30.9mn.

• Techna-X Bhd now has until 7 November 2024 to submit its outstanding annual report for the financial period ended 30 June 2024, failing which the trading of its securities will be suspended the following day.

• Deleum Bhd has appointed former Petronas director Ainul Azhar Ainul Jamal to the integrated upstream oil and gas outfit's board.

• The executive chairman of Globetronics Technology Bhd, Kent Liaw Way Gian, has resigned from the board of APB Resources Bhd.

• Axiata Group Bhd said its chief executive officer of telecommunications business Dr Hans Wijayasuriya will join as chief advisor to the government of Sri Lanka, to lead the country's digital economy agenda.

• China's Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers index unexpectedly rose to 50.3 last month from 49.3 in September.

• The Institute for Supply Management said on Friday its US manufacturing PMI fell to 46.5 last month, the lowest level since July 2023, from 47.2 in September.

• The US Labor Department said non-farm payroll employment crept up by 12,000 jobs in October compared to economist estimates for the addition of 113,000 jobs.

Source: TA Research - 4 Nov 2024