KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): The FBM KLCI could struggle to sustain its gains on Thursday, given the gloomy external environment due to a weaker global growth outlook.
Investors could also remain on the sidelines ahead of Budget 2013 to be tabled on Friday.
The FBM KLCI closed higher on Wednesday, lifted by gains at select blue chips including Telekom, Axiata, Petronas Gas and CIMB, with dealers explaining that local institutional funds were lending support to keep the market higher.
But analysts remain sceptical on the FBM KLCI's ability to sustain its gains.
Affin Investment Bank Bhd vice president and head of retail research Dr Nazri Khan in a note Wednesday said the local market was likely to trend temporarily lower (a break below 1,620 support suggests 1,600 level as the target), following a series of bearish reports which shows across-the-board deterioration in the global growth
Nazri said that on the technical front, various momentum studies (MACD, RSI and Money Flow Index) were trending lower from overbought levels indicating a deeper correction in place.
"We are currently pegging 1,620 and 1,600 as support levels, while resistance stands at 1,640 and 1,650 levels," he said.
Asian and European shares fell sharply and the single currency hit a two-week low on Wednesday as popular opposition within the eurozone to budget austerity measures unnerved investors already worried about a weak global growth outlook, according to Reuters.
The market's focus was on Spain and Greece: protesters clashed with police in Madrid on Tuesday as the government prepared to unveil its 2013 budget on Thursday; and Greeks held a general strike as ministers sought to renegotiate a bailout, it said.
Among the stocks that could be in focus on Thursday are CREST BUILDER HOLDINGS BHD []; SILK Holdings Bhd; MUHIBBAH ENGINEERING (M) BHD []; and IREKA CORPORATION BHD [].
Crest Builder has its eyes set on the RM3.7 billion Langat 2 water treatment plant, and is currently negotiating with potential partners to submit a bid for the project.
"We bought the tender documents as well and we're currently in discussions with some potential partners to see how we can put in a competitive bid for it," Crest Builder executive director Eric Yong told theedgemalaysia.com, in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.
Yong said no Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed yet, but Crest Builder was looking at forming a joint venture with at least two or three international and local players.
Crest Builder has been known for its high-rise CONSTRUCTION [] operations, but recently made headlines after successfully securing the RM1.04 billion Dang Wangi LRT station redevelopment project and the RM1.33 billion development of the Malaysian Rubber Board's land in Jalan Ampang.
SILK 70%-owned subsidiary Jasa Merin (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has received contract extensions worth a total RM35.4 million from Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd for the provision of two Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels (AHTS).
In a filing Wednesday, SILK said each of the contracts which commenced in early November 2011, had a primary period of one year with extension option of one year, is to be extended for another year commencing early November 2012.
It said the contracts were expected to contribute positively to SILK Group earnings and assets for the financial year ending July 31, 2013 and 2014.
In a separate statement, SILK said Jasa Merin had inked a sale and purchase agreement to acquire two AHTS vessels, namely IDS Darul Ehsan and IDS Darussalam.
SILK chairman Datuk Mohd Azlan Hashim said that with the additions of the two AHTS, brought the total number of owned-vessels in the fleet to 18 vessels.
"The vessels are ready-built and are immediately able to contribute to earnings. In addition, both vessels fit the operational requirements of Jasa Merin and are about 1-year old. All in all, it represents good value to the group," he said.
"The acquisition of the two 70-metre 120-tonne bollard pull vessels were strategically necessary to ensure Jasa Merin continues to be able to meet customer demands for DP2 rated AHTS vessels, particularly in light of recent developments of the industry moving away from an era of 'easy oil' towards 'difficult oil'," said Azlan.
Muhibbah's wholly-owned subsidiary CB International Engineering Sdn Bhd has clinched contracts for the sale of two vessels for RM240.6 million.
In a Bursa filing on Wednesday, Muhibbah said the two units of anchor handling tug supply vessel were completed last year.
It expects the contracts to contribute positively to the earnings and net assets of CB International and Muhibbah group for current financial year.
Ireka has stepped up its property development business with four projects worth about RM1.9 billion in gross development value (GDV). These projects are to be implemented over the course of the next five years.
Moving forward, Ireka intends to have a balanced focus on the construction and property development segments of their business
"We expect revenue from these property development projects to roll in come 2014" said Ireka executive director and Ireka Development Management Sdn Bhd chief financial officer Monice Lai.