Malaysia-Market factors to watch Thursday Dec 22

by **hlk** Thu 22 Dec 2011, 13:06

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:

> Bank Negara releases data on international reserves as at Dec 15 2011 at 5.00 pm (0900).

> Parliament in session from 10.00 am (0200).

MARKET SNAPSHOT:

* Malaysia's benchmark stock exchange gained 1.4 percent on Wednesday, in line with increases in other regional markets.

* Technology shares slumped on Wednesday and pushed the Nasdaq down 1 percent after Oracle reported results that cast doubts on the sector's health, even as broader markets closed mostly flat in a thinly traded day.

* The euro fell on Wednesday as doubts set in over whether fresh lending by the European Central Bank would be used to buy struggling euro-zone debt, while Oracle's weak earnings weighed on technology stocks and kept Wall Street mostly flat.

* Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose to its highest in nearly two weeks on Wednesday on expectations of rising demand, firmer comparative oils and an improving euro zone debt outlook.

IN THE NEWS REUTERS MALAYSIA

> Asia-Pac stock sales at 3-yr low in 2011, UBS loses crown

> Sri Lanka Dialog sees flat 2012 profit

> Malaysia's KFC, QSR accept buyout bid

> Malaysia opens banking door wider to foreign investors

> Malaysia PM: not the best time to float ringgit currency

> DiGi's earnings quality makes it a stand-out in Malaysia

> Malaysia's Nov CPI up 3.3 pct on year, as forecast

> Asia Rubber-China devours Thai, Malaysian grades

> Singapore's Ascott mulls floating Malaysian assets-paper

* Asian currencies rose on Wednesday as risky assets rallied in the wake of upbeat U.S. and German economic data, but worries about the euro zone's debt crisis clouded their outlook.

* Southeast Asian stock markets climbed higher on Wednesday, cheered by better economic news from the United States, with a rally in global oil prices boosting commodities-related shares across the board.

DIARY - Malaysia

Thursday 22 December 2011

ALL TIMES ARE PROVISIONAL AND IN LOCAL TIME FOLLOWED BY GMT (IN BRACKETS

KUALA LUMPUR - Release of International Reserves data as at Dec 15, 2011.

* PUTRAJAYA - Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nor Mohamed Yakcop holds press conference on the Third Report of the 2010 Population and Housing Census of Malaysia at Department of Statistics, Block C6, Complex C, Putrajaya at 1000am (0200).

* KUALA LUMPUR - Lion Forest Industries Bhd holds AGM at Office Tower, Jalan Nagasari, Kuala Lumpur at 1000am (0200).

* KUALA LUMPUR - Posco E&C's media briefing at Concorde Hotel, Kuala Lumpur at 1030am (0230).

* KUALA LUMPUR - Tanco Holdings Bhd holds AGM at St. Andrew's Hall, Duta Vista Executive Suites, Persiaran Ledang, Kuala Lumpur at 1030am (0230).

* BANGI, SELANGOR - Greenyield Bhd holds EGM at Equatorial Hotel Bangi-Putrajaya, Bangi at 1100am (0300).

* KUALA LUMPUR - Boustead Holdings Bhd holds EGM at Menara Boudtead, Jalan Raja Chulan at 1100am (0300).

* KUALA LUMPUR - Axis Communication's small group briefing at Le Meridien Hotel, Jalan Stesen Sentral at 1200pm (0400).

* KUALA LUMPJUR - Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui launches Green Kids Programme at P.Ramlee Auditorium, Angkasapuri, Kuala Lumpur at 1200pm (0400).

* PUTRAJAYA - Prime Minister's wife Rosmah Mansor attends hi-tea with MASWings and Students from Sabah and Sarawak at Seri Perdana Complex, Putrajaya at 1530pm (0730).

* PETALING JAYA - Prime Minister Najib Razak visits Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia (old folks home) at Kampung Baru Sungai Way, Petaling Jaya at 1600pm (0800), and visits Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia at Koperasi Kedai Buku University of Malaya at Kompleks Perdana Siswa, University of Malaya at 1700pm (0900).

* KUALA LUMPUR - Human Resources Minister S. Subramaniam visits Ceramics Training Centre at Keraf Legassi, Diamond Square, Jalan Gombak at 1630pm (0830).

FRIDAY, DEC 23

* KUALA LUMPUR - Petrol One Resources Bdh holds AGM at Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort, Kuala Lumpur at 0930am (0130).

* SHAH ALAM - Grand Hoover Bhd holds AGM at Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, Kota Kmuning at 0930am (0130).

* SHAH ALAM - Padini Holdings Bhd holds AGM at Hicom Glenmarie Industrial Park, Shah Alam at 1000am (0200).

* KUALA LUMPUR - Oriented Media Group Bhd holds AGM at Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur at 1000am (0200).

* SHAH ALAM - Benalec Holdings Bhd holds AGM at Holiday Inn KL Glenmarie, Jalan Usahawan, Shah Alam at 1000am (0200).

* KUALA LUMPUR - KL CityWalk's official launch at No. 11, Jalan P Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur at 1100am (0300).

* PENANG - Chin Well Holdings Bhd holds Post-AGM press conference at No. 1586, MK. 11, Lorong Perusahaan Utama, Bukit Tengah Industrial Park, Bukit Mertajam at 1100am (0300). - Reuters