A better second half anticipated

Time to catch up: Investors checking out their cell phones at a private stock market gallery in Kuala Lumpur, After a rocky first half year, investors are hoping the second half will see Malaysian equities play catch-up to their regional peers. — AP

AFTER a rocky first half, investors now find themselves hoping that the second half will see Malaysian equities play catch-up to their regional peers. 

But in a world with rising uncertainties due to various economic challenges, no one can say for sure whether that will happen. Some brokerages appear hopeful that shares on Bursa Malaysia will perform better in the second half, citing improving domestic fundamentals, but there are also a number who remain cautious, citing, among other things, unabated external risks.