Trading ideas: MBM, GFM, Genting Malaysia, Inari

KUALA LUMPUR: Stocks to watch for on Friday include Allianz, MBM, Heineken, GFM, UEM Sunrise, Genting Malaysia, Genting Plantations, Inari, Ajinomoto, Jaya Tiasa, Paramount and MSM.

Investors are taking trading leads from corporate earnings as the reporting season picks up the pace. 

Accoding to to JF Apex research, counters that showed better year-on-year results include Allianz, MBM, Heineken, GFM and UEM Sunrise.

Meanwhile, companies that reported weaker quarterly earnings on a y-o-y basis include Genting Malaysia, Genting Plantations, Inari, Ajinomoto, Jaya Tiasa, Paramount and MSM.

Over on Wall Street last night, the Dow Jones dropped more than 250 points as trade war fears continue to weigh on sentiment.

"Wall Street is becoming convinced the trade war is here to stay and will only get worse," said JF Apex.

European stocks were similarly impacted with Royal Mail plunging to an all-time low.

Following the weak performance of the US and European markets, JF Apex expects the FBM KLCI to trend lower with support pegged to 1,565 points. The index had lost 1.87 points to 1,601.87 in the previous session.

In commodities, US crude oil prices fell a sharp 5.7% to US$57.91 a barrel as investors fret over the outlook for demand.