Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd said that after a two-day consolidation, the key FBM KLCI index could mount a rebound to end the week on a firmer note.

KLCI seen hovering between 1,600 and 1,610 on Friday

Apex Securities Bhd expects the local bourse to continue to trend sideways following the FBM KLCI’s retreat after hitting the 1,600 resistance level amid weakened sentiment across global stock markets and investors awaiting fresh catalysts.

Apex Securities expects local bourse to continue to trend sideways 

The FBM KLCI’s uptrend has been relentless since mid-April as accumulation on blue chips by both local institutions and foreign funds continues, according to Rakuten Trade.

Banks, construction to be in focus as FBM KLCI could test 1,600 soon, says Rakuten Trade 

Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd said the FBM KLCI’s technical indicators remain overbought, and this could extend the downside pressure on these constituents.

In its daily bulletin on Thursday, the research house said the KLCI ended its upward streak on Wednesday as profit-taking activities set in to send the key index lower.

KLCI’s technical indicators remain overbought, says Inter-Pacific

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research said in the near term, the FBM KLCI is expected to remain choppy (support: 1,500-1,520), as investors weigh the ongoing February reporting season, a delay the US Federal Reserve’s rate-cut trajectory, and the sustainability of the Shanghai Composite Index’s recent rebound.

KLCI expected to remain choppy in near term, says HLIB Research

Asian stocks were set to follow a selloff on Wall Street, with bond yields rising as traders comb through remarks from a slew of Federal Reserve officials and await Jerome Powell’s speech for clues on the interest-rate outlook.

Equity futures for Japan, Hong Kong and Australia pointed to declines after the S&P 500 almost wiped out its weekly advance, while losses in the Nasdaq 100 topped 2%. Treasury two-year yields, which are more sensitive to imminent policy moves, climbed above 5%. The greenback advanced against all of its G-10 peers on Thursday (Aug 24), with the Australian and New Zealand dollars falling the most in more than three weeks.

Asian stocks to follow US drop before Powell speech

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 3): Hong Leong IB Research expects 2023 to be a less stormy year for Bursa Malaysia (but certainly not a smooth journey), following a cumulative two-year loss of 8.2%.

In a traders’ brief on Tuesday (Jan 3), the research house said that currently, CY2023’s valuation is...

2023 to be less stormy year for Bursa Malaysia, says HLIB Research

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 22): Hong Leong Investment Bank Research (HLIB) said that as a hung parliament election outcome is unprecedented for Malaysia and the possibility of higher political risk premium and regulatory risks (due to the unexpected strong showing by PAS), the FBM KLCI may witness further...

FBM KLCI may witness further volatility ahead, says HLIB

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd said that with no clear winner in the recently concluded elections, market conditions are likely to be volatile at the start of the week as the political impasse will leave investor sentiments wary

In its daily bulletin on Monday (No...

Impasse could see a knee jerk reaction to politically sensitive stocks, says Inter-Pacific 

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 17): Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd sees the near-term outlook for the FBM KLCI remaining soft as market players continue to shy away from the market as they await the outcome of the 15th general election.

In its daily bulletin on Thursday (Nov 17), the research house ...

Inter-Pacific sees near-term outlook for FBM KLCI remaining soft 

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 16): Hong Leong IB (HLIB) Research expects the FBM KLCI to stay choppy (resistances: 1,469-1,482-1,500; supports: 1,408-1.424-1.436) ahead of the long weekend holidays and 15th general election (GE15) polling, as market participants adopt a cautious “wait-and-see” attitude.
...

FBM KLCI to stay choppy ahead of GE15 polling, says HLIB Research 

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 15): Rakuten Trade said the FBM KLCI closed lower on Monday (Nov 14) amid some profit-taking activities attributed a mixed regional performance.

Nonetheless, the research house in its daily market report on Tuesday said it noticed market undertone remains strong as the...

Energy sector may experience some headwinds on Tuesday, ringgit seen between 4.590-4.600

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 14): Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd said the near-term outlook for the FBM KLCI remains buoyant as market sentiments have improved with the odds of further steep interest rate hikes diminishing following the easing inflation pressure.

In its daily bulletin on Monday (N...

Near-term outlook for FBM KLCI remains buoyant, says Inter-Pacific Research 

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 11): Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd said Malaysian equities continued to inch higher and ended Thursday (Nov 10) just a shade below the psychological 1,450 level on continuing nibbling by foreign institutional buyers.

In its daily bulletin on Friday (Nov 11), the resea...

Inter-Pacific Research expects further near-term upside to KLCI

Leapmotor has struck a deal with Chinese state-owned automaker FAW to deliver an electric vehicle platform that will be used to drive overseas sales for Hongqi, an emerging national champion, executives from both companies said.

China's Leapmotor to supply EV platform to Hongqi, also in talks with Ferrari

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): YTL Hotels has expanded its hospitality portfolio with the opening of two new properties — Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh.

YTL Hotels opens Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh

Norway's US$1.7 trillion (RM7.4 trillion) sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, reported on Thursday a quarterly loss of 415 billion Norwegian crowns (US$39.72 billion) for the January to March period, largely driven by negative returns in the tech sector.

Norway wealth fund posts US$40b first-quarter loss on tech weakness

Singapore equities were set for an eighth straight session of gains on Thursday, marking their best winning streak since November 2022, as cooling inflation and demand for defensive stocks supported the benchmark index.

Singapore shares set for an eight-day rally; Asian FX muted 

Gucci sales tumbled in the first quarter as efforts to revive Kering SA’s biggest brand again failed to yield signs of a turnaround amid a tough period for the luxury-goods industry.

Gucci sales drop as Kering label struggles to revive demand

Abandoned housing has been a long-standing problem in Malaysia. According to the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Institute in its recently released “Abandoned Housing — Challenges, Insights & Solutions Research Report”, the number of abandoned housing projects has been...

Stakeholder action needed to address abandoned housing issues, says Rehda Institute

China’s central bank chief Pan Gongsheng urged countries to help maintain confidence in the global economic system on a trip to the US, reiterating Chinese opposition to tariffs as American President Donald Trump signals a shift toward de-escalating tensions.

PBOC chief warns trade frictions threaten trust in world economy

Adidas AG reported better-than-expected earnings in the first quarter as consumers continue to snap up retro sneakers like the Samba in the face of growing economic uncertainty.

Adidas earnings bolstered again by retro sneaker craze

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The special sitting of Dewan Rakyat on May 5 to discuss the impact of the United States’ actions on the Malaysian economy will be held at the request of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Dewan Rakyat special sitting on May 5 held at PM’s request — Parliament

Rising tariffs and the weakening dollar are casting a shadow on companies’ profit guidance this earnings season, with more damage seen unfolding over the coming quarters.

US dollar’s slide raising red flags for corporate earnings

<p>A surge of complaints emerged on Thursday evening from investors across Bursa Malaysia, reporting that their accounts have been hacked and used for unauthorised trading activities.</p>


Widespread hacks hit stock trading accounts in Malaysia

<p>Datuk Muzaffar Hisham has resigned from his position as Malayan Banking Bhd’s (KL:MAYBANK) group chief executive officer of Islamic banking to helm Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB), according to sources.</p>


Muzaffar Hisham leaves Maybank's Islamic arm, said to be headed for top role at Bank Pembangunan

<p>IJM Corporation Bhd (KL:IJM) has acquired a 50% stake in financially troubled UK-based construction firm JRL Group for £50 million, or about RM283 million.</p>


IJM Corp completes acquisition of troubled UK builder for RM283m

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): YTL Hotels has expanded its hospitality portfolio with the opening of two new properties — Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh.&nbsp;</p>


<p>Crypto’s richest man, Changpeng Zhao, was in a playful mood as he addressed a packed house at the Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur, just seven months after his release from a low-security California prison.&nbsp;</p>


In KL, Binance billionaire Zhao guides regulators to relax crypto rules

<p>IGB Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:IGBREIT) and IGB Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:IGBCR) will see their former group chief financial officer Chai Lai Sim return from retirement to take the helm at both REITs.</p>


IGB REITs bring former CFO Chai Lai Sim out of retirement as new CEO

<p>China demanded that the US revoke all unilateral tariffs and said there were no talks on reaching a trade deal, maintaining a tough stance despite President Donald Trump’s easing of criticism of the country.</p>


China says US should revoke all unilateral tariffs, denies talks

<p>Magma Group Bhd (KL:MAGMA), which is primarily in hotel management and property development, announced the emergence of several new substantial shareholders on Thursday, including former national badminton player Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei.</p>


Lee Chong Wei among Magma's newly emerged substantial shareholders after land deal

<p>The Transport Ministry supports the proposal to establish Port Klang Cruise Terminal (PKCT) as a transshipment hub, said minister Anthony Loke.</p>


Loke gives nod to proposal to turn Port Klang Cruise Terminal into transshipment hub

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB)(KL:TENAGA) has more than doubled its budgeted capital expenditure (capex) to RM42.9 billion — comprising RM26.6 billion in base capex and RM16.3 billion in contingent capex — to support infrastructure development for Malaysia’s energy transition.</p>


TNB doubles capex to RM42.9b to back energy transition efforts

<p>The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) says Segamat, Johor has secured RM2.6 billion in committed investments for manufacturing and agriculture projects in the first quarter of 2025 (1Q2025).</p>


ECERDC: Segamat secures RM2.6b worth of manufacturing and agriculture investments in 1Q

<p>Pantech Global Bhd announced a special dividend of one sen after its fourth quarter net profit jumped 373% from the previous quarter, driven by a gain on bargain purchase and two months of earnings from newly acquired companies.</p>


Pantech Global declares special dividend after gain on bargain purchase

<p>LET’S start with the absurd: The US, the self-declared global beacon of green energy and moral leadership, just imposed a 3,500% tariff on solar panels from Southeast Asia.</p>


Opinion: A 3,500% tariff exposes the real villains behind America’s clean energy hypocrisy

<p>ViTrox Corp Bhd (KL:VITROX) said on Thursday that its net profit jumped 40.2% in the first quarter from a year earlier, driven by stronger sales and a more favourable product mix.</p>


ViTrox sees double-digit earnings growth for FY2025 after 1Q profit surges 40% 

<p>Prime Minister&nbsp;Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim&nbsp;stressed that there will be no double standards in the matter involving the incomplete display of the national flag, and that investigations will be carried out against all parties involved.</p>


Jalur Gemilang gaffes: Anwar says no double standards, pledges to probe all parties involved

<p>Norway's US$1.7 trillion (RM7.4 trillion) sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, reported on Thursday a quarterly loss of 415 billion Norwegian crowns (US$39.72 billion) for the January to March period, largely driven by negative returns in the tech sector.</p>


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<p>Read more i...

Stock markets work only if they are a ‘growth enabler’, not a cashing-out machine

<p>Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Thursday.</p>


ViTrox, Unisem, Atlan, Luxchem, Pantech Global, Chin Hin, Ajiya, Binastra, Magma, IGB REIT, IGB Commercial REIT, Steel Hawk, Perdana Petroleum

<p>Two of Britain’s richest real estate investors have ditched the UK as their home territory, the latest departures among the country’s elite as the nation hits wealthy residents with tax hikes.</p>


Top Goldman banker, property billionaires add to UK wealth exits

<p>Kumpulan Jetson Bhd’s board faces a new removal attempt by minority shareholders, who claim to hold at least 10% of shares, giving them the right to call an EGM to vote on removing the board and appointing new directors.</p>


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