Review & Outlook

Blue chips edged lower on Tuesday amid a lack of local positive catalysts, while investors assess the potential market impact of the tariffs and cabinet appointments proposed by Donald Trump. The FBM KLCI shed 1.7 points to 1,602.34, off an early low of 1,601.02 and high of 1,608.88, but gainers led losers 565 to 438 on moderate trade totaling 2.83bn shares worth RM2.08bn.

Investors will likely remain sidelined as they await clearer direction from China's fiscal stimulus measures coming out of the Global Financial Leaders Investment Summit being held by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Immediate index support rests at 1,588, the 38.2%FR of the 1,529 low (6 Aug) to 1,684 high (29 Aug) rally, with stronger key supports at 1,565, the 23.6%FR level, and then 1,550. Immediate resistance will be at 1,630, next 1,648, the 76.4%FR level, followed by the September peak of 1,675.

Further price dips in Dialog shares should attract bargain hunters looking for rebound upside to the 50%FR (RM2.16), with next major resistance coming from the 61.8%FR (RM2.28) and 71.4%FR (RM2.43), going forward while immediate support at RM1.79 and 10/17/22 low (RM1.65) cap downside risk. Meanwhile, Wasco will need a sustained climb above the upper Bollinger band (RM1.16) to strengthen recovery before meeting overhead resistance from the 200-day ma (RM1.25) and the 76.4%FR (RM1.35) ahead, with downside risk capped by the 38.2%FR (92sen) and at 65sen.

News Bites

• TCS Group Holdings Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary, TCS Construction Sdn Bhd, has been awarded a RM611.3mn contract by Sabah Public Works Department for the construction of a new highway and road upgrades on the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway Phase 1B.

• Handal Energy Bhd was slapped with a RM132.6mn counterclaim from a former JV partner, alleging the company breached their JV agreement by selling its 49% stake in marine sand mining JV Handal Borneo Resources Sdn Bhd without her consent or knowledge.

• Binastra Corp Bhd has accepted a letter of award worth RM256.45mn from Exsim Jalil Link Sdn Bhd for mechanical and electrical fit-out works relating to a data centre in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

• Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd net profit in the 3QFY2024 rose a marginal 2.5% to RM17.22mn from RM16.79mn a year ago thanks to lower tax expenses.

• Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd's net profit for 1QFY24 ended Sept 30, 2024, slipped to RM75.60mn from RM154.30mn posted in the same quarter last year as revenue also weakened to RM477.40mn from RM746.62mn in the comparative quarter.

• Cape EMS Bhd booked its first quarterly loss since its listing in March 2023, with a net loss of RM18.95mn in 3QFY24, compared with a net profit of RM15.21mn in the same quarter last year due to a reduced gross profit margin.

• Dialog Group Bhd posted a higher net profit of RM150.97mn for 1QFY25 compared to a net profit of RM132.17mn in the same quarter last year.

• Star Media Group Bhd posted a pre-tax profit of RM3.1mn for 3QFY24 on better performance by its radio broadcasting arm and property development and investment segment.

• APM Automotive Holdings Bhd net profit for 3QFY2024 dropped 27.94% to RM18.67mn as compared to RM25.91mn on unrealised forex loss arising from trade receivables denominated in foreign currencies following the ringgit's strengthening.

• Comfort Gloves Bhd net loss for 3QFY2024 widened to RM26.32mn during the quarter versus RM7.91mn in the same period last year on higher provisions for slow-moving inventory, write-downs and sizeable foreign exchange loss.

• Hextar Global Bhd net profit for 3QFY2024 rose 28% to RM19.70mn compared with RM15.39mn in the corresponding quarter last year on strong growth from its specialty-chemicals segment.

• Malaysia's exports rebounded by 1.6% to RM128.1bn in October as growth in deliveries of electronics and palm oil offset sharp contraction in shipments of petroleum.

• The US housing starts dropped by 3.1% to an annual rate of 1.31mn in October, following a 1.9% decline to a revised rate of 1.35mn in September.

Source: TA Research - 20 Nov 2024