FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Malaysian Shares Snap Five-Day Winning Streak, Mirroring Regional Losses

By

-- Malaysian shares closed lower on Friday, halting a five-day winning streak, mirroring a weak regional trend as investors locked in profits.

The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI shed 10.79 points to end 0.6% lower at 1,748.06. The day range was between 1,748.06 and 1,760.19.

In economic news, Malaysia's Industrial Production Index rose 3.1% year on year in March, maintaining the same growth in the month prior, according to data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). The increase was supported by stronger manufacturing activity, which expanded 5.5% compared with 4.2% in the previous month, alongside a 4.9% increase in electricity output.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's Services Producer Price Index rose 2.1% year on year in the first quarter, accelerating from a 1% rise in the previous quarter, according to data released by the DoSM.

In corporate news, shares of AirAsia X (KLSE:AAX) slid over 2% at close, as its unit Asia Aviation Capital agreed to buy 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft from Airbus in a deal valued at about $19 billion.

Lotte Chemical Titan (KLSE:LCTITAN) posted a wider first-quarter loss despite a 70% jump in revenue. The loss widened as higher depreciation and financing costs from its Indonesia ethylene project weighed on earnings. Shares ended flat.

Related Articles

Research

Research Alert: CFRA Keeps Buy Rating On Shares Of Paycom Software, Inc.

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We raise our target by $19 to $150, 12.3x our 2027 EPS estimate, significantly below PAYC's three-year historical forward P/E average of 24.9x. We lift our 2026 EPS view by $0.53 to $10.73 and 2027's EPS view by $0.95 to $12.23. PAYC conservative 2026 guidance, which projects a revenue growth slowdown to 6%-7%, is a primary concern as it contrasts sharply with the company's current performance. This strength is evidenced by an expanding 48.2% adjusted EBITDA margin, robust 17% Y/Y growth in operating cash flow, and high 91% client retention, all fueled by the demonstrable ROI its AI-powered platform delivers to clients. Underscoring this internal confidence, management executed a massive $1.06B share repurchase in Q1, taking on $675M in debt to capitalize on what it views as a significant undervaluation. This aggressive, debt-funded capital return increases financial leverage but signals a profound belief in the company's long-term value proposition, despite the cautious near-term growth outlook.

$PAYC
Research

Research Alert: CFRA Maintains Hold Opinion On Shares Of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We increase our target by $2 to $23 on a forward P/FFO of 10.9x our 2026 FFO estimate, a premium to peers and HST's three-year forward average (8.9x) due to a stronger 2026 travel outlook and recently redeveloped properties driving higher revenue per average room (RevPAR) this year. We increase our 2026 FFO estimate by $0.05 to $2.11 and leave our 2027 view unchanged at $2.15. San Francisco showed remarkable recovery boosted by the Super Bowl and accelerating business travel as resorts in Florida/Phoenix saw stronger-than-normal Q1 performance. Weather-related disruptions in Hawaii and the East Coast negative impacted RevPAR by 120 bps in Q1, while the outlook for growth in 2H 2026 implies growth slowing to 1%-2% range. Productivity improvements have helped to offset some of the 5% Y/Y growth in wages, but this cost inflation is a risk we continue to monitor. We do not currently expect any acquisitions, with management setting a high IRR bar and favoring buybacks and special dividends currently.

$HST
Research

Research Alert: CFRA Reiterates Hold Opinion On Shares Of Fortis Inc.

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:Our 12-month target is unchanged at CAD80, valuing shares at a forward P/E of 21.5x our next-12-month EPS estimate of CAD3.72, a premium to its five-year average of 19.3x. We keep our 2026 EPS estimate at CAD3.62 and raise our 2027 EPS estimate by CAD0.03 to CAD3.88. Q1 results showed continued progress on load growth opportunities, with ITC advancing data center interconnection projects and TEP securing initial contractual milestones in Arizona while pursuing additional phases. We expect revenue to grow 7.8% in 2026, followed by 5.6% growth in 2027, supported by customer rate updates at Central Hudson (effective July 2025), FortisBC Energy (effective January 2026), UNS Gas (effective March 2026), and a pending decision at TEP (expected fall 2026), alongside ongoing rate base growth. From 2025-2028, we expect EPS to grow at a 5.3% CAGR while dividends grow at 4.6%, both lagging the peer median growth rates of 7.9% and 5.2%, respectively. Shares currently yield 3.3%, slightly ahead of the peer median 3.2%.

$FTS