Malaysia-Market factors to watch Friday Dec 23

KUALA LUMPUR: Following is a list of events in Malaysia as well as news stories and press reports which may influence markets.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MALAYSIA, TIMES LOCAL FOLLOWED BY GMT:
> Malaysia's central bank to issue tender for government bonds.
MARKET SNAPSHOT:
* Malaysia's benchmark stock exchange rose 0.4 percent on Thursday, led by gains in Hong Leong Bank and MMC Corp.
*
U.S. stocks rose on Thursday, putting the S&P 500 on the cusp of
finishing out the year higher as another decline in jobless claims
pointed to further improvement in the labor market.
* World
stocks advanced on Thursday, boosted by a rosier U.S. economic outlook
and rising European bank shares, while the euro struggled versus the
U.S. dollar on concerns that the euro zone debt crisis will only
continue to intensify.
* Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose to
a near two week high on Thursday as traders focused more on heavy rains
potentially disrupting production than fixating on concerns of euro
zone debt crisis eroding global economic growth.
IN THE NEWS REUTERS MALAYSIA
> Malaysia's Muhibbah says JV wins $332 mln Australia job
> Malaysia's c.bank reserves at $135 bln on Dec 15
*
Asian currencies dipped broadly versus the dollar on Thursday as
persistent worries about the euro zone's debt crisis deterred risky
investments.
* Southeast Asian stock markets were mostly steady
to weaker on Thursday as short term players quickly booked profits amid
weaknesses in Asia and nagging concerns over the euro zone debt crisis.
DIARY - Malaysia Friday 23 December
ALL TIMES ARE PROVISIONAL AND IN LOCAL TIME FOLLOWED BY GMT (IN BRACKETS)
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 - Deputy Domestic Trade, Co-Operatives and Consumerism Minister Tan Lian Hoe
visits Tesco Mutiara Damansara hypermarket for price control scheme in
conjunction with the Christma Festive Season 2011 at 1015am (0215).
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).
KUALA
LUMPUR - Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Ahmad
Maslan attends Bumiputera Contractors Convention dinner at Putra World
Trade Centre at 2030pm (1230).
MONDAY, DEC 26
KUALA LUMPUR - Market and Public Holiday - Christmas