Monday, January 3, 2011

HDBSVR: Stock market to break new grounds in 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: Hwang DBS Vickers Research says the stage is set for the Malaysian bourse to break new grounds in 2011.

'We predict the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) will cruise into uncharted territory, probably peak somewhere within the 1,730-1,780 range this year. This represents a potential upside of 14%-17%,' it said in its outlook report on Monday, Jan 3.

It said 2010 turned out to be a profitable year for our local stock market. It recorded an annual return of 19%, extending the preceding year's upsurge of 45%. More than half of last year's increase came in the third quarter, which contributed 150-point of the overall gain of 246-index point.

Hwang DBS Vickers Research said when compared with a list of 11 regional peers which it tracked,'' Malaysia was ranked fifth in terms of relative performance. The top winners last year were Indonesia (up 46%), Thailand (+41%) and Philippines (+38%) while the worst performing markets were Japan (-3%), China shares listed in Hong Kong (-1%) and Hong Kong (+5%).

On Wall Street, both the DJIA (+11%) and the S&P 500 (+13%) also posted yearly gains.

'As we move into 2011, the global equities run-up is poised to carry on. Against a positive external backdrop, Malaysia is expected to join in the stock market rally as all boats get a lift from the rising tide,' it said.

Hwang DBS Vickers Research said broadly speaking, the major themes that could fuel investors' demand for Malaysia shares are:

(1) liquidity effect, benefiting from a deluge of funds sloshing around the world's monetary system;

(2) potential Ringgit appreciation for incremental currency returns;

(3) sustainable corporate earnings growth momentum;

(4) a looming snap general election, which usually drives up stock market expectations prior to
polling date;

(5) more government's transformation initiatives to restructure our economy into a high income model;

(6) the rolling out of stimulus projects (e.g. the MRT and LRT transportation networks); and

(7) more corporate exercises (mergers & acquisitions, partial divestments in GLCs to raise free-floats, listing of bigger-sized companies and other products) to deepen and widen the investment attraction of the domestic stock exchange.




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