• Regional markets were generally up following the release of improved U.S. jobless claims and housing data.
• Regional economic activities expanded at a moderate pace with South Korea‟s GDP growth sustained in 1Q2013 and Hong Kong's exports rebounding in March. 
• Regional markets are expected to remain volatile over the near-term as investors monitor the pace of growth in regional economies amidst an anticipated slowdown in economic activities for the U.S. and Europe.

• In tandem with weaker U.S. markets, the FBM KLCI eased to a six-week intraday low of 1,632.0 points on Thursday before closing at 1,641.1 points to register a weekly loss of 0.9%.
• Most regional markets registered losses on concerns that the outlook for the U.S. economy will be adversely affected if the U.S. Congress fails to defer the US$600bil of tax hikes and spending cuts due to take effect on 1st January 2013.
• Looking ahead, the local market is anticipated to remain volatile as investors monitor the trend in global economic data and the outcome of negotiations over the looming fiscal cliff issue in the U.S.

• The FBM KLCI retested a new record intraday high of 1,670.2 points on Friday before closing at 1,666.4 points for a gain of 0.8% for the week.
• Regional markets closed higher on expectations that Chinas economic activities have bottomed out in 3Q2012 and that growth will strengthen in the current quarter.
• Looking ahead, the local market is anticipated to move in tandem with overseas markets as investors continue to monitor the outlook for global economic activities.

Renewed Eurozone Concerns Dampened Markets

• In line with the weak sentiment in offshore markets, the FBM KLCI eased to a one-week intraday low of 1,650.8 points on Friday before closing at 1,653.4 points for a loss of 0.4% for the week.

• Most regional markets closed on a weak note with weekly losses ranging between 1% and 3.5%. However, China H shares rose on expectations of new stimulus measures to boost consumer spending.

• Looking ahead, the local market is anticipated to move in tandem with overseas markets as investors continue to monitor the outlook for global economic activities.

• The FBM KLCI eased in line with regional markets to close at 1,460.1 points to register a loss of 1.9% for the week.
• Regional markets were broadly lower as investors awaited the outcome of the latest European Union summit held on Friday to address the debt crisis.
• Looking ahead, market sentiment may continue to be volatile in the near term amid the ongoing European debt crisis. 

• Led by higher global markets, the local market rebounded to a 14-week high of 1,502.5 points on Thursday before closing at 1,489.0 points to register a weekly gain of 4.0%.
• Regional markets registered strong gains of between 4% and 10% after six major central banks jointly agreed to provide liquidity to global financial markets.
• Looking ahead, market sentiment is expected to remain volatile in the near term as investors remain focused on developments underlying the Eurozones sovereign debt issue.

• The FBM KLCI retreated in tandem with regional equity markets to close at 1,468.8 points to register a loss of 0.6% for the week.
• Regional markets retreated on renewed concerns over the European sovereign debt crisis. The Hong Kong and South Korean markets fell by 3.6% and 3.4% respectively over the week.
• Looking ahead, market sentiment may continue to be volatile in the near term amid the ongoing European debt crisis. 

• After easing to the weeks intraday low of 1,452.6 points on Thursday in line with weaker offshore markets, the FBM KLCI rebounded on Friday to close at 1,477.5 points and register a slight loss of 0.3% for the week.
• Regional markets closed on a mixed note on fears that a potential referendum by the Greek people on the EUs bail-out plan could cause renewed uncertainties for the Eurozone.
• Looking ahead, the performance of the local and regional markets will depend on developments pertaining to the sovereign debt issues in the U.S. and European markets.

• Led by the rebound in global markets, the FBM KLCI touched a nine-week intraday high of 1,488.2 points on Friday before closing at 1,481.8 points, up 3% for the week.
• Regional markets rebounded sharply after European leaders reached a deal to contain the Eurozone debt crisis. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index led the region with a weekly gain of 15.2% while the Hong Kong market rose by 11.1% over the same period.
• Looking ahead, market sentiment may continue to be volatile in the near term despite the recent run-up on optimism over the Eurozone’s latest financial rescue plan.

The FBM KLCI eased to a two-week intraday low of 1,543.5 points on Tuesday amidst declines in offshore markets. However, buying support of selected blue chips helped the FBM KLCI to close at 1,563.43 points and register a gain of 0.5% for the week.

Average daily trading volume was sustained at 0.8bil over the week while daily turnover in value terms increased to RM1.6bil from RM1.4bil in the preceding week.

Regional markets closed on a weaker note on concerns that Greece may default on its sovereign debt, which could lead to an increase in volatility of global financial markets. The Hong Kong market registered a weekly loss of 3.2% to close at a 9-month low of 21,695 points.

On Wall Street, shares prices closed on a firmer note as investor sentiment was supported by the better-than-expected housing starts in May. The Dow inched up 0.4% to close at 12,004 points while the broader-based S&P 500 Index closed almost unchanged at 1,271.5 points. However, the Nasdaq was down 1.0% to 2,616 points on losses in selected tech stocks over the same period.

• Weaker offshore markets caused the FBM KLCI to trade on a lacklustre note and close at 1,556.2 points for a loss of 0.2% for the week.
• Regional markets sustained losses on continued concerns over a slowdown in global economic growth, Greece’s debt problems and China’s monetary tightening policies.
• Looking ahead, the local market is anticipated to move in tandem with overseas markets as investors continue to monitor the outlook for global economic activities.

The FBM KLCI rose to a 5-week intraday high of 1,545.2 points on Friday before closing at 1,540.7 points to register a gain of 1.7% for the week.

Most regional markets were well supported on news of better than expected 1Q2011 economic activities in Germany and France.

Looking ahead, the local market is anticipated to move in tandem with overseas markets as investors continue to monitor the outlook for global economic activities.

Led by selected index stocks, the FBM KLCI moved higher over the week and touched a 2-week intraday high of 1,540.6 points on Friday. Profit-taking subsequently caused the index to close at 1,535.0 points and register a gain of 0.8% for the week.

Average daily trading volume decreased to 1.0 bil from 1.2 bil units in the preceding week while daily turnover in value terms fell to RM1.3 bil from RM1.5 bil over the same period.

On Wall Street, shares prices were higher due to stronger-than-expected corporate earnings for 1Q2011. Following the weaker-than-expected 1Q2011 GDP data for the U.S. and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement on 28th April, investors expect U.S. monetary policy to remain easy for an extended period. The Dow gained by 2.4% to close at 12,811 points for the week. The broader-based S&P 500 Index rose by 2.0% to 1,364 points while the Nasdaq was higher by 1.9% to 2,874 points over the same period.

In the U.S., economic activities weakened with GDP growth moderating to 2.3% in 1Q2011 on a year-on-year basis from 2.8% in 4Q2010 due to weaker investment and government spending. Manufacturing activities in the U.S. consolidated with the Institute of Supply Management Purchasing Managers’ Index declining to 60.4 in April from 61.2 in March on lower production and new orders.

The FBM KLCI eased in tandem with regional markets to close at 1,495.6 points on Friday and register a decline of 1.8% for the week.

Average daily trading volume eased to 1.1 bil from 1.2 bil in the preceding week while daily turnover in value terms was sustained at RM1.8 bil over the same period.

Most regional equity markets retreated on concerns that the impact from Japan’s recent earthquake may dampen regional trade activities. The Japanese market fell by 4.2% while the Taiwan and South Korean markets eased by 2.5% respectively over the week.

On Wall Street, the Dow fell to a 5-week intra-day low of 11,936 points on Friday as sentiment turned cautious amid the political uncertainties in the Middle East and concerns over the earthquake in Japan. The Dow fell by 1.0% to close at 12,044 points for the week. The Nasdaq was down by 2.5% to close at 2,716 points over the same period.

In the U.S., consumer spending improved with retail sales growth rising to a 10-month high of 8.9% in February from 8.1% in January amid improving labour market conditions. However, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index eased to a 5-month low of 68.2 in March from 77.5 in February on concerns over the impact of higher oil prices on household income.

Led by buying of selected index stocks following higher regional markets, the FBM KLCI crossed above 1,500 points to hit a 3-week intraday high of 1,529.4 points. The index closed at 1,522.6 points to register a gain of 2.2% for the week.

Average daily trading volume increased to 1.9 bil from 1.7 bil units in the preceding week while daily turnover in value terms fell to RM1.7 bil from RM2.1 bil over the same period.

On Wall Street, shares prices were well-supported following news of continued improvement in the labour market, reinforcing expectations that the economic recovery is gaining pace. The Dow rose by 0.3% to close at 12,170 points for the week. The broader-based S&P 500 Index was almost unchanged at 1,321 points while the Nasdaq was up by 0.1% to 2,785 points over the same period.

In the U.S., manufacturing activities strengthened with the Institute of Supply Management Purchasing Managers’ Index rising to a 6½-year high of 61.4 in February from 60.8 in January on higher production and new orders. U.S. non-farm jobs rose by 192,000 jobs in February compared to an increase of 63,000 jobs in January due to higher job gains in the services and construction sectors. The unemployment rate fell to a 22-month low of 8.9% from 9% over the same period.

Due to continued concerns over the political uncertainties in the Middle East, oil prices closed at a 2½-year high of US$104.42/brl to register a weekly gain of 7.7%.

The FBM KLCI eased in tandem with regional markets amidst concerns over the surge in global oil prices to above US$100/brl. Sentiment was also cautious in the absence of fresh leads for the local market. The index closed at a 2½ month low of 1,489.3 points on Friday to register a loss of 1.9% for the week.

Average daily trading volume remained sustained at 1.8 bil over week while daily turnover in value terms rose to RM2.1 bil from RM2.0 bil over the same period.

Concerns over rising inflationary pressures in the region due to elevated oil prices caused most regional markets to register losses ranging between 1% and 4%. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index and the Japanese market eased by 3.7% and 3.3% respectively over the week.

On Wall Street, the Dow fell to a 3-week intra-day low of 11,983.2 points on Thursday as sentiment turned cautious on concerns that rising oil prices may dampen economic activities. The Dow fell by 2.1% to close at 12,131 points for the week. The Nasdaq was down by 1.9% to close at 2,781 points over the same period.

The local market started the week on a firm note with the FBM KLCI crossing above 1,500 points and touching a one-week intraday high of 1,521.2 points on Friday following the rebound in global and regional markets. The index closed at 1,517.6 points to register a gain of 1.5% for the week.

Average daily trading volume decreased to 1.8 bil from 2.6 bil units in the preceding week while daily turnover in value terms fell to RM2.0 bil from RM2.8 bil over the same period.

On Wall Street, shares prices were firm on the back of better-than-expected U.S. corporate earnings and housing starts for January 2011. The Dow rose by 1% to close at a 33-month high of 12,391 points for the week. The broader-based S&P 500 Index was also up 1% to close at a 33-month high of 1,343 points while the Nasdaq was up by 0.9% to 2,834 points over the same period.

In the U.S., consumer spending remained resilient with retail sales growth rising to 7.8% in January 2011 from 7.6% in December 2010 amidst higher automotive and gasoline sales. The U.S. housing market improved with housing starts rising to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 596,000 units in January 2011 compared to 520,000 units in December 2010. The U.S. inflation rate rose to an 8-month high of 1.6% in January 2011 from 1.5% in December 2010 on higher food and housing costs while the core inflation rate increased to 0.9% from 0.6% over the same period.

Oil prices rose by 0.7% to close at US$86.20/brl due to supply concerns amidst political uncertainties in the Middle East.

After commencing the week on a firm note, the FBM KLCI fell to a 2½ month low intraday low of 1,490.4 points on Thursday amidst the retracement in regional markets. The FBM KLCI subsequently closed at 1,494.5 points to register a loss of 2.4% for the week.

Average daily trading volume increased to 2.5 bil from 1.5 bil units in the preceding week while daily turnover in value terms rose to RM2.7 bil from RM1.9 bil over the same period.

Regional markets eased on continued concerns over food-related inflationary pressures and higher interest rates across developing economies. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index fell by 4.9% while most regional markets registered weekly losses ranging between 3% and 5%.

On Wall Street, share prices continued to remain firm on the back of better-than-expected sales for most U.S. companies in the last quarter and positive merger & acquisitions news. The Dow rose by 1.5% to close at 12,273 points for the week. The Nasdaq was up 1.4% to close at 2,809 points over the same period.

The FBM KLCI fell to a 5-week intraday low of 1,505.4 points on Wednesday amidst profit-taking activities. Sentiment was also dampened by sluggish trading conditions in offshore markets. The FBM KLCI subsequently closed at 1,521.9 points to register a loss of 1.7% for the week.

Average daily trading volume decreased to 1.6 bil from 1.8 bil units in the preceding week while daily turnover in value terms eased to RM2.3 bil from RM2.4 bil over the same period.

Selected regional markets generally closed on a mixed note following news of higher-than-expected inflationary pressures.

After recent gains, the FBM KLCI eased on profit-taking to a 2-week intraday low of 1,547.0 points on Friday in tandem with the retracement of regional markets. The index closed at 1,547.4 points to register a loss of 1.4% for the week.

The average daily trading volume decreased to 1.9 bil units from 2.5 bil units in the preceding week while average trading value eased to RM2.5 bil from RM2.8 bil over the same period.

On Wall Street, sentiment was mixed as weaker-than-expected corporate results from selected major financial institutions were mitigated by a pledge among European financial regulators to support the Eurozone region. The Dow rose by 0.7% to close at a 31-month high of 11,872 points for the week. The broader-based S&P 500 Index eased by 0.8% to 1,283 points while the Nasdaq was down by 2.4% to 2,690 points over the same period.

In the U.S., the labour market continued to be firm with the initial jobless claims falling to 404,000 for the week ended 16th January 2011 compared to 441,000 claims in the previous week. The U.S. housing market gained pace with existing home sales rising by 12.3% month-on-month to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.28 million units in December compared to an increase of 6.1% in November as home-buyers capitalized on low mortgage rates.