
Hang Seng Index Futures Poised To Test 24,500 Following Strong Bullish Momentum
RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB Research) is maintaining its long position on the Hang Seng Index Futures (HSIF) as the index extended its bullish momentum on Monday, closing firmly above the 23,000-pt mark.
The HSIF surged 613 points to end the day at 23,400 points, after opening at 22,790 points and briefly dipping to a session low of 22,716 points. It then staged a sharp rebound to hit an intraday high of 23,628 points. The strong finish near the day's peak indicates persistent buying interest, reinforcing the index's short-term uptrend.
During the evening session, the HSIF added another 3 points to last trade at 23,403 points. RHB Research highlighted that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains elevated above the 50% threshold, reflecting continued bullish momentum. Both the 20-day and 50-day simple moving average (SMA) lines are trending upwards, further supporting the positive outlook.
'With a decisive breakout above the 23,000-pt resistance level now in place, the path appears open for the index to challenge the 24,500-pt resistance level in the coming sessions,' RHB Research reported.
RHB Research maintains its trading bias as positive and advises traders to hold on to the long position initiated at 21,416 points (based on the April 14 close). To manage downside risk, the stop-loss has been revised higher from 21,500 points to 22,000 points.
The immediate support level is now placed at 22,000 points, with a lower support marked at 21,000 points. On the upside, resistance is seen at 24,500 points, with a secondary resistance target at 26,000 points. Related
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The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Earnings pressure seen
RHB Research remained cautiously optimistic on CPO prices. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's plantation sector could face fresh earnings pressure in the second half of this financial year, as a new layer of taxation takes effect from July 1 under the expanded sales and service tax (SST) regime. According to RHB Research, the revised tax structure, which would impose a 5% levy on several upstream and downstream products, would add to the cost burdens of planters. It noted that the tax would apply to fresh fruit bunches (FFB), empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm kernel shells (PKS), palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), palm kernel fatty acid distillate (PKFAD), and palm kernel oil (PKO). RHB Research said it expected the biggest negative impact to come from the purchase of external FFB for crude palm oil millers, as well as external PKO purchases for downstream planters. 'This tax is to be levied on top of all the other taxes the palm oil industry currently already faces – including windfall taxes, sales tax of CPO in East Malaysia, and export tax on all palm oil products,' the brokerage said, noting the negative impact of the expanded SST. 'While there can be some offsetting factor in the form of additional tax to be levied on sales of EFB, PKS and PFAD, among others, we believe the net earnings impact will still be negative,' it added. Based on RHB Research's calculations, the earnings drag could range between 0.3% and 11% annually for the companies it covers, depending on the volume of externally sourced FFB. 'We base this calculation on external FFB purchased in Malaysia multiplied by the current FFB price of RM850 per tonne and multiplied further by 5%,' it explained. The research house flagged FGV Holdings Bhd as the most exposed, noting that approximately 70% of its FFB intake comes from outside sources. RHB Research added that limited disclosures on other inputs such as PKO purchases and sales of by-products made it difficult to quantify the full extent of the impact. 'However, we are unable to calculate the impact of the purchase of external PKO and sales of other products, as these disclosures are not given,' it explained. While it continues to engage companies for greater clarity, RHB Research said it was maintaining its earnings forecasts for now. 'Earnings forecasts are unchanged for now till we obtain more clarification.' RHB Research placed the sector's rating 'under review', although it remained cautiously optimistic on CPO prices. 'We acknowledge that geopolitical risks have led to a CPO price destruction over the last couple of months,' it said. RHB Research's CPO price assumption of RM4,300 per tonne for the year is unlikely to be achieved based on the current trajectory. This is because year-to-date, the CPO price averaged at RM4,400 per tonne. However, it expected CPO prices to post a recovery towards the year end as seasonal production comes off its peak. It added that planters continue to deliver earnings-wise, while valuations remain depressed at this juncture. Its top picks remained unchanged, comprising Jaya Tiasa Holdings Bhd , Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd and Sime Darby Plantation Bhd.


Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Analysis: SST could cut plantation earnings by up to 11 pct annually
The biggest blow is expected to come from the purchase of external FFB by CPO millers and external PKO by downstream producers. — AFP photo KUCHING: The plantation sector may see its earnings drop by as much as 11 per cent per annum due to the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) coming into effect on 1 July, according to RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB Research). The house said the new 5 per cent tax will apply to several palm oil-related items including fresh fruit bunches (FFB), empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm kernel shells (PKS), palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), palm kernel fatty acid distillate (PKFAD), and palm kernel oil (PKO), among others. 'We expect the expanded SST to be negative for the sector,' it said in a note on Thursday, adding that the estimated earnings impact could range from 0.3 to 11 per cent per annum for Malaysian plantation companies under its coverage. It noted that FGV Holdings Bhd is likely to face the most significant hit given that about 70 per cent of its FFB is sourced externally. The biggest blow is expected to come from the purchase of external FFB by crude palm oil (CPO) millers and external PKO by downstream producers. 'This tax is to be levied on top of all the other taxes the palm oil industry currently already faces – including windfall taxes, sales tax of CPO in East Malaysia, and export tax on all palm oil products. 'While there can be some offsetting factor in the form of additional tax to be levied on sales of EFB, PKS, PFAD, etc, we believe the nett earnings impact will still be negative,' it added. RHB Research calculated the estimated earnings impact using a base price of RM850 per tonne for FFB and based it on the volume of external FFB purchases, though full figures for external PKO purchases and other sales were not available due to limited disclosures. Despite the negative outlook from the new tax, RHB Research has kept its earnings forecasts unchanged for now, pending further clarification from the companies under its coverage. The research house has also placed its sector rating under review, down from a previous overweight stance. 'Geopolitical risks have led to a CPO price destruction over the last couple of months and our price assumption of RM4,300 per tonne for the year is unlikely to be achieved,' it said. The year-to-date CPO price is around RM4,400 per tonne, and analysts expects a potential recovery towards the end of the year as production slows. Its top stock picks remain unchanged and include Johor Plantations Group, Sarawak Oil Palms, SD Guthrie, Bumitama Agri Ltd, and PP London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk. analysis economy expanded SST palm oil plantation SST


New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Industrial demand to ease SST impact on property sector: RHB
KUALA LUMPUR: The overall impact of the revised sales and service tax (SST) on the property sector can be cushioned by the "healthy" demand for industrial properties, said RHB Investment Bank Bhd. In a research note, the investment bank said that the protracted United States (US)-China trade war and shifting tariff policies are expected to drive more companies in the region to relocate their operations to Southeast Asia. "Sales of industrial properties as well as projects in Iskandar Malaysia remain strong year-to-date. "Hence, although property companies will likely record a slight margin compression, the demand for industrial and commercial properties should stay healthy over the medium term," it said. The Finance Ministry recently announced that the revised and expanded SST outlined in Budget 2025 will take effect on July 1, 2025. A sales tax rate of five to 10 per cent will be imposed on selected non-essential goods, while the service tax will be broadened to include sectors such as construction services, with a 6.0 per cent tax applicable to providers earning over RM1.5 million annually. Meanwhile, the bank said the imposition of SST on construction contracts and leasing income will likely have a slight impact on developers' profit margins. Given the higher construction costs, it said the industrial and commercial property prices may also be priced higher – the magnitude will depend on whether developers can fully pass on the cost increases. "In our view, demand for industrial properties should stay healthy, given the prolonged US-China trade tensions – especially with infrastructure catalysts and incentives in Iskandar Malaysia," it said. RHB Investment Bank said developers with more exposure to industrial and commercial segments will likely book higher construction costs, as contractors are expected to bake in the six per cent SST when bidding for new projects. It said industrial and commercial properties currently under construction will also see higher costs for the remaining billings for costs to be incurred. "Eventually, we expect developers to pass on the incremental costs to buyers, so new industrial and commercial property prices will likely be more expensive and market forces (demand and supply) will continue to play their role," it said.