The plantation sector, the darling of the market during the first half of 2022, has since seen a 180-degree turn in sentiment amid the sharp decline in crude palm oil (CPO) prices and persistent production headwinds. While plantation counters are still attractive in terms of dividend yields, companies seem unable to retain investors’ interest (see table), as companies are affected by elevated fertiliser costs and persistent labour shortages, recently exacerbated by Indonesia’s decision to temporarily stop sending their workers here.
PETALING JAYA: After a long hiatus, foreign investors appear to have returned to the Malaysian market as they have turned net buyers of Malaysian stocks, snapping up over RM1bil worth of shares so far this year after shunning local equities for the most part of 2021.
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 11): The Bursa Malaysia Plantation Index emerged as the top gainer in the broader market on Friday (Feb 11), after selected index heavyweight stocks rose towards the closing bell.