PETALING JAYA: RHB Research has unveiled the top 20 Malaysian small-cap “jewels” for 2024 across nine sectors, with 16 of the stocks listed on the Main Market.
Four technology stocks are part of the list. These are Oppstar Bhd
, Cloudpoint Technology Bhd
, QES Group Bhd
and TT Vision Holdings Bhd
.
Under the industrial products and services sector, five counters are featured – AWC Bhd
, Engtex Group Bhd
, MCE Holdings Bhd
, Supercomnet Technologies Bhd
and YBS International Bhd
.
As for the construction sector, Inta Bina Group Bhd
, Kimlun Corp Bhd
and Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd
are featured.
The list of 20 “jewels” also include three stocks in the consumer products and services space – Ablegroup Bhd
, Karex Bhd
and Shangri-La Hotels (M) Bhd
.
The other counters on the list are New Hoong Fatt Holdings Bhd
(auto and autoparts); PA Resources Bhd
(basic materials); UMediC Group Bhd
(healthcare); Deleum Bhd
(oil and gas) and Avaland Bhd
(real estate).
RHB Research said the top 20 small-cap stock picks boast an average market capitalisation of RM545mil and a return on equity of 11.2%.
It also noted that the previous 2023 edition of the Top 20 Small-Cap Jewels had outperformed the broad market, delivering a holding period return of 46.4% and outperforming the FBM KLCI and FBM Small Cap’s returns of 13% and 21.4%, respectively.
“The past year has been marked by unprecedented challenges yet, amid the economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the resilience of the capital market has shone through.
“Against the backdrop of a better economic outlook in 2024, a stable political environment, accompanied by stronger fund flows into the emerging markets amidst the peak of the US Federal Funds rate, domestic-listed stocks have undergone a remarkable rally – leading Malaysia to emerge as one of the best-performing markets in Asean,” it said.
