Market sentiment continued to stay positive as buying interest in banking, gaming and O&G heavyweights lifted the FBM KLCI marginally higher. We believe the reopening of travel borders in April should revive the economic sectors in Malaysia and benefit the recovery-themed stocks. Nevertheless, sentiment may remain cautious amid the unresolved geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

The FBM KLCI swung higher as returned buying interest was noticed in banking and plantation heavyweights in the anticipation of the reopening of borders and firmer FCPO price. With the Wall Street taking a pause after a recent strong rebound, we expect the profit taking activities may spill over to the local front, especially the technology stocks. We think investors may stay cautious in the anticipation of further sanction against Russia, which may lift commodity prices another round.

Pentamaster Corporation Bhd (PENTA) is a Penang-based automation manufacturing and technology solutions provider that was established in 1991. With more than 30 years of experience, PENTA serves customers worldwide across various industries such as semiconductor, computer, automotive, electrical & electronics, pharmaceutical, medical devices, food & beverages, consumer electronics to general manufacturing.

The FBM KLCI slide marginally but we expect the downside move could be well supported by the plantation and energy stocks. Also, following the overnight gains on Wall Street, we opine that the market sentiment will remain positive on the local front, as investors are brushing off concerns over the Fed’s monetary policies and Russia-Ukraine conflicts, while focusing on economic growth at least for the near term. Besides, the declining trend noticed in new Covid-19 cases may bode for the recovery theme.

Profit taking emerged on the FBM KLCI following the three straight sessions of rally on the back of mixed sentiment across the regional markets. However, we expect the key index to maintain its positive bias move over the near term with the focus turning to the upcoming reopening of travel borders and the recovery theme moving forward.

LBS Bina Bhd (LBS) started off since 1960’s as a small-scale construction player and has now evolved into a medium scale property developer. Over the years, LBS developed numerous high-rise condominiums, landed property and commercial projects around the Klang Valley that suit the needs of Malaysians.

The FBM KLCI finished almost unchanged as investors stayed cautious prior to the Biden-Xi call to discuss about the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As Wall Street advanced on Friday after the talk ended without big surprises, we expect optimism to return on the regional bourses. Meanwhile, investors may focus on the increasing prospect of an early general election in Malaysia.

The FBM KLCI notched higher as positive sentiment spilt over from the regional market after authorities from China and the US signalled cooperation plan on USlisted Chinese stocks and fading concerns over the Russia-Ukraine conflicts lifted the overall sentiment. We expect investors may continue the bargain hunting mode given the extended gains on Wall Street. Nevertheless, traders should remain cautious given the geopolitical risk between Ukraine and Russia still persists.