The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KL Composite Index (FBM KLCI), which is the worst-performing market in the Asean region in the year-to-date (YTD) period, may eventually play catch-up with its peers should country fundamentals remain intact.
UOB Asset Management (M) Bhd chief investment officer Francis Eng said that this was possible, but noted that stock picking was key, as the benchmark index was already near the consensus target level.
"In the YTD period, the performance of the FBM KLCI has been quite flat (+2.46 per cent). But if you pick the right stocks, we think you can generate the right returns over and above how the index performs," Eng said.
UOB's presentation slides at the United Bond and Equity Strategic Trust Press Conference noted that the FBM KLCI has lagged its peers and its valuations were looking "relatively attractive" now.
Data compiled by research houses showed that the FBM KLCI's street consensus target was at an average mean of 1,988 points at present.
Eng said his top picks were beneficiaries from the Economic Transformation Programme in the construction, oil and gas, and property sectors.
He also noted that many companies now were grappling with cost-push inflation and they were adjusting to this new and more difficult business environment.
"In this instance, we would want to pick the strongest of (company) franchises which are able to pass on whatever cost increases they are facing and also over and above that. I know of some companies which are able to (even) expand their margins," Eng said.
"I do not think all companies are affected by this and some companies would be affected more than others. And this is the time where you would want to go with companies which have the strongest pricing power," he added.
His presentation also noted that the foreign ownership in the Malaysian market may have the opportunity to rise again from a relatively low level of 23 per cent if foreign purchasers return in a big way.
UOB is anticipating a better second-half performance for Asian equities, including Malaysia's, given that the latter is quite leveraged to US economic recovery.
"If the US does well, Malaysia is expected to follow suit as we are (operating) in an open economy. We believe that there are opportunities for investors to profit from the Malaysian equity market," Eng said.
UOB yesterday launched its United Bond & Equity Strategic Trust with an offer price of 50 sen which will have a minimum 50 per cent exposure to the Malaysian markets and up to 50 per cent exposure to Asia-Pacific ex-Japan markets.
The initial offer period will be 21 days from yesterday with a minimum initial investment of 1,000 ringgit (US$313) and a minimum additional investment of 100 ringgit (US$31.3).
The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KL Composite Index (FBM KLCI), which is the worst-performing market in the Asean region in the year-to-date (YTD) period, may eventually play catch-up with its peers should country fundamentals remain intact.
UOB Asset Management (M) Bhd chief investment officer Francis Eng said that this was possible, but noted that stock picking was key, as the benchmark index was already near the consensus target level.
"In the YTD period, the performance of the FBM KLCI has been quite flat (+2.46 per cent). But if you pick the right stocks, we think you can generate the right returns over and above how the index performs," Eng said.
UOB's presentation slides at the United Bond and Equity Strategic Trust Press Conference noted that the FBM KLCI has lagged its peers and its valuations were looking "relatively attractive" now.
Data compiled by research houses showed that the FBM KLCI's street consensus target was at an average mean of 1,988 points at present.
Eng said his top picks were beneficiaries from the Economic Transformation Programme in the construction, oil and gas, and property sectors.
He also noted that many companies now were grappling with cost-push inflation and they were adjusting to this new and more difficult business environment.
"In this instance, we would want to pick the strongest of (company) franchises which are able to pass on whatever cost increases they are facing and also over and above that. I know of some companies which are able to (even) expand their margins," Eng said.
"I do not think all companies are affected by this and some companies would be affected more than others. And this is the time where you would want to go with companies which have the strongest pricing power," he added.
His presentation also noted that the foreign ownership in the Malaysian market may have the opportunity to rise again from a relatively low level of 23 per cent if foreign purchasers return in a big way.
UOB is anticipating a better second-half performance for Asian equities, including Malaysia's, given that the latter is quite leveraged to US economic recovery.
"If the US does well, Malaysia is expected to follow suit as we are (operating) in an open economy. We believe that there are opportunities for investors to profit from the Malaysian equity market," Eng said.
UOB yesterday launched its United Bond & Equity Strategic Trust with an offer price of 50 sen which will have a minimum 50 per cent exposure to the Malaysian markets and up to 50 per cent exposure to Asia-Pacific ex-Japan markets.
The initial offer period will be 21 days from yesterday with a minimum initial investment of 1,000 ringgit (US$313) and a minimum additional investment of 100 ringgit (US$31.3).
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