Malaysia Market Review: The FBM KLCI rose 0.6% on Tuesday, supported by renewed buying interest in blue-chip stocks and firmer regional sentiment following signs of de-escalation in US-China trade tensions. US President Donald Trump said on Monday he expects to reach a fair-trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping and downplayed the risk of a clash over Taiwan. Lower liners also closed higher in tandem with the broader market. Sector-wise, Technology (+2.4%), Construction (+1.7%), and Consumer (+1.3%) led the gainers, while REITs (-0.2%) was the only laggard.
Global Markets Review: Wall Street ended mixed on Tuesday, with the Dow (+0.5%) leading gains as solid corporate earnings lifted industrial and capital goods stocks. The S&P 500 (0.0%) was little changed, while weakness in growth and semiconductor counters dragged the Nasdaq (-0.2%) slightly lower. European equities also advanced, extending gains from earlier in the week. Across Asia, markets closed broadly higher, with the Shanghai Composite (+1.4%) and Hang Seng (+0.7%) rising on optimism over easing US–China trade tensions. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (+0.3%) also gained as investors welcomed the appointment of Sanae Takaichi as Japan’s first female prime minister and the prospect of fiscal stimulus.
Market Outlook. Global sentiment remains broadly positive, supported by optimism over easing US–China trade tensions and stronger-than-expected US corporate earnings. However, stretched valuations and lingering concerns over the prolonged US government shutdown could temper risk appetite. Against this backdrop, the FBM KLCI is expected to remain steady, tracking regional momentum as investors stay cautious ahead of further developments in US–China negotiations, the outcome of China’s Fourth Plenum, and the ongoing US earnings season. In the near term, focus will shift to upcoming US economic data, particularly the delayed September CPI report due to government shutdown, which may offer clearer guidance on the timing of potential Fed rate cuts.
Sector focus. We continue to favour domestically driven and policy-supported sectors such as consumer, construction, renewable energy, and utilities. We also prefer power and solar players, underpinned by data centre expansion and the ongoing energy transition, which are expected to remain resilient despite global trade risks.
Company News (source: various)
Ancom Nylex Bhd, which produces industrial and agricultural chemicals, posted a 51.96% jump in net profit for the first quarter ended Aug 31, 2025 (1QFY2026) to RM20.07 million from RM13.1 million a year earlier.
The Thai arm of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, CIMB Thai Bank PCL posted a 3.2% y-o-y drop in net profit to 1.83 billion baht (approximately RM236.45 million) for the nine months ended Sept 30, 2025 (9MFY2025), from 1.89 billion baht (RM244.19 million), mainly due to higher expected credit losses (ECL).
ES Ceramics Technology Bhd’s, net profit for 1QFY2026 rose 80.5% to RM4.17 million compared to RM2.31 million a year ago, primarily driven by its building materials division.
Kretam Holdings Bhd’s chief executive officer and major shareholder Datuk Freddy Lim Nyuk Sang has emerged as a substantial shareholder of construction outfit Azam Jaya Bhd, after he purchased a 1.95% stake or 9.77 million shares in Azam Jaya on Oct 17, which bumped his stake to 6.455%.
Magna Prima Bhd’s independent adviser concluded that the conditional mandatory takeover offer launched by Hallson Holdings Sdn Bhd is “not fair but reasonable” and has recommended that shareholders accept the offer of 73 sen per share.
Pantech Group Holdings Bhd, which manufactures pipes and valves, saw its net profit for the three months ended Aug 31, 2025 (2QFY2026) fall 29.7% to RM14.57 million from a year earlier due to lower sales amid lower demand.
Rapid Synergy Bhd is disposing of two parcels of land in Penang for RM35 million to German semiconductor maker ams OSRAM International GmbH to fund working capital and repay borrowings.
Shin Yang Group Bhd is acquiring a parcel of land in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, for RM26.6 million, cash, from its controlling shareholder. The acquisition is for the group's planned warehouse expansion and logistics development.
Signature Alliance Group Bhd has declared a first interim dividend of two sen per share for its financial year ending Dec 31, 2025 (FY2025), its inaugural payout since its ACE Market listing in June.
Sin-Kung Logistics Bhd’s air cargo and private jet charter unit, Sin-Kung Airways Sdn Bhd, has joined hands with Pos Malaysia Bhd’s aviation units via a series of service agreements.
Solarvest Holdings Bhd has proposed to raise up to RM254.1 million via a private placement of 10% of its enlarged share base to fund solar photovoltaic (PV) projects and working capital, and to repay borrowings.
Vantris Energy Bhd, formerly known as Sapura Energy Bhd, said its joint-venture (JV) company, Rawabi Sapura Ltd Co, secured a contract to provide diving support services in Saudi Arabia.
Yong Tai Bhd said the High Court has set aside an adjudication decision that ordered its subsidiary to pay RM75.46 million to a unit of Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd, over an alleged unpaid contract for "The Apple" mixed development project in Melaka.
Disclaimer
The report is for internal and private circulation only and shall not be reproduced either in part or otherwise without the prior written consent of Apex Securities Berhad. The opinions and information contained herein are based on available data believed to be reliable. It is not to be construed as an offer, invitation or solicitation to buy or sell the securities covered by this report.
Opinions, estimates and projections in this report constitute the current judgment of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Apex Securities Berhad and are subject to change without notice. Apex Securities Berhad has no obligation to update, modify or amend this report or to otherwise notify a reader thereof in the event that any matter stated herein, or any opinion, projection, forecast or estimate set forth herein, changes or subsequently becomes inaccurate.
Apex Securities Berhad does not warrant the accuracy of anything stated herein in any manner whatsoever and no reliance upon such statement by anyone shall give rise to any claim whatsoever against Apex Securities Berhad. Apex Securities Berhad may from time to time have an interest in the company mentioned by this report. This report may not be reproduced, copied or circulated without the prior written approval of Apex Securities Berhad.
Currency | Buy Rates (RM) | Sell Rates (RM) |
---|---|---|
USD | 4.211506 | 4.244897 |
EUR | 4.908298 | 4.917824 |
CNY | 0.593128 | 0.594283 |
HKD | 0.542213 | 0.546006 |
SGD | 3.246856 | 3.272846 |