Malaysia-Market factors to watch Dec 16

KUALA LUMPUR: Following is a list of events in Malaysia as well as
news stories and press reports which may influence financial markets.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MALAYSIA, TIMES LOCAL FOLLOWED BY GMT:
(The inclusion of diary items does not necessarily mean that Reuters will cover the event).
>Attorney-General Abdul Ghani Patail
officiates at ratification of treaty for mutual assistance in criminal
matters between the governments of Malaysia and the United Kingdom at
British High Commissioner's residence, No 27, Jalan Langgak Golf at 10
am (0200 GMT)
>Ambank Group chairman Azman Hashim performs ground-breaking for an extension block, SJKC Serdang Baru 2, Seri Kembangan at 10 am (0200 GMT)
>Media briefing by Tenaga Nasional Bhd
on strengthening national grid system for Klang Valley, Gallery Room,
Level 7, NLDC Building, Jalan Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur at 10 am (0200 GMT)
MARKET SNAPSHOT:
* Malaysia's benchmark stock exchange edged up 0.07 percent at 1,464.11 on Thursday, led by gains in industrial enterprise UMW Holdings Bhd and palm planter IOI Corporation Bhd.
*
U.S. stocks rose on Thursday, as signs of strength in the economy and
higher-than-expected profit at FedEx outweighed more warnings about
Europe.
* Wall Street stocks and the euro snapped their three-day
losing streaks on Thursday as encouraging U.S. economic data and a
solid Spanish debt auction reduced fears that the euro zone debt crisis
could spark a global recession.
* Malaysian crude palm oil
futures tumbled as much as 2.2 percent on Thursday, with a global
commodities sell-off extending from the previous day over concerns that
the European debt crisis is spiralling out of control.
IN THE NEWS
>Sri Lanka Dialog buys Suntel for $35 mln
>Top three rubber producers aim to set up regional market
>Malaysia Building Society, Carlsberg show high EPS growth
>Anwar's sodomy trial ends, verdict to come
>Maybank, Gulf Intl arrange $2.27 bln loan for Binladin
*
Emerging Asian currencies slid on Thursday as investors rushed into
safe assets before year-end on expectations for further losses as the
euro zone's debt crisis continues.
* Major Southeast Asian stock
markets fell on Thursday for the third day, led by banks and commodities
as a decline in Chinese factory output added to worries about the
global economy and Europe's debt crisis.