The FBM KLCI continued to charge higher for the week and closed firmly above 1,530
led by buying support within selected Banking and Transportation & Logistics
heavyweights. However, the US stock markets took a beating after the PPI data
came in hotter-than-expected, which pushed back hopes for an imminent interest
rate cut by the Fed. Nevertheless, we expect buying interest to prevail within the local
front, supported by the upcoming earnings season. On the commodity market, the
Brent oil price closed higher for the session with the ongoing concerns over
geopolitical tension.

Sectors focus: As we are heading into a busy corporate earnings season, we expect
traders to look for opportunities within the fundamentally growing companies, we
like the Consumer and O&G sectors. Meanwhile, trading themes such as the
potential revival of KL-SG HSR and several construction projects may bode well for
the Construction, Property, Utilities as well as Renewable Energy sectors. Besides,
the calling for proposals to design, implement and maintain the NIISe last year may
expect trading interest within the Technology sector as more than 10 companies
have submitted their proposals.