KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 26): Share prices of semiconductor-related companies on Bursa Malaysia are hitting record highs; so are their latest quarterly earnings.
The few companies that posted record high quarterly net profits are UWC Bhd, Vitrox Corp Bhd, Inari Amertron Bhd and Greatech Technology Bhd.
Fund managers and investment analysts told The Edge that the astronomical increases in earnings among semiconductor companies are expected to continue in the current year, particularly because of the chip shortage that has been accentuated by the further computerisation of consumer electronics, the implementation of 5G, and greater usage of technology in the automotive industry.
TA Investment Management Chief Information Officer Choo Swee Kee expects earnings for semiconductor companies to be strong on the recovery of consumer demand for electronic and electrical products post-pandemic worldwide.
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 23): The FBM KLCI Index continued to end lower today following declines in its glove maker constituents, in contrast with other regional bourses trending higher in anticipation of insights from the US Federal Reserve.
The local benchmark index closed 0.34% or 5.41 points lower today at 1,565.05, following declines in Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd and Supermax Corp Bhd.
Hartalega fell by 4.98% or 58 sen to RM11.06, valuing it at RM37.91 billion. Meanwhile, Top Glove was the local bourse’s 19th top value loser, finishing 1.9% or 11 sen lower at RM5.67, yielding a market value of RM46.51 billion.
Supermax ended the trading day 1.45% or eight sen lower at RM5.45, valuing it at RM14.83 billion.
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): While the glove stocks are trying hard to regain lost ground after falling off the peaks, the technology stocks on Bursa Malaysia, which are primarily involved in semiconductor-related business, however, continue their hike to record fresh highs.
Reaching fresh peaks has become a daily affair among some tech stocks in recent months amid news that the semiconductor industry is facing a happy problem supply growth could not keep pace with the strong surge in demand. The auto industry is one of them currently suffering from severe semiconductor chip shortage.
Tech stocks that have gained less than 30% year to date would have been considered laggards among their peers. The best performers which have chalked up at least 40% gain since the start of the year are UWC Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd (MPI), Unisem (M) Bhd, and Greatech Technology Bhd.
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 9): While higher Brent crude prices have fanned interest in oil and gas (O&G) counters listed on Bursa Malaysia, fund managers and heads of research believe not every company is set to benefit immediately from the higher prices.
Areca Capital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Danny Wong explained that sustained higher oil prices would have macroeconomic benefits which will impact oil producers such as Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), resulting in possibly higher dividends to the government.
“In general, the high oil price can boost sentiment in the O&G sector. However, investors will have to be selective. Oil majors are still cautious,” he qualified.
AT the height of the glove stocks rally late last year, two local glove companies expressed interest in an initial public offering.
But as valuations for glove stocks have tapered off, now that many countries have started to vaccinate their citizens against the Covid-19 virus, have the duo missed the boat?
Harps Holdings Sdn Bhd and Smart Glove Corp were reportedly seeking to raise about RM2 billion and RM1 billion respectively in an IPO. However, they have yet to file their prospectus exposure draft with the Securities Commission Malaysia.
Analysts generally view a listing as a good platform for private companies to raise funds for their expansion plans.