Disclaimer: This research should be used purely for informational purposes and is my own personal opinion. I bear no responsibility to whatever investment decisions taken by anyone with regards to this research. 

The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) today declined by 0.6% to 1,361 points, reversing direction from the day before with a growth of 2.0% (1,369 points). Top 5 losers for the day are Nestle (-RM0.6), Kuala Lumpur Kepong (-RM0.6), PPB Group (-RM0.4), Panasonic (-RM0.3) and Sime Darby Plantation (-RM0.3). 

It is noteworthy that 2 out of the 5 companies are oil palm related and both KLK and Sime Darby have exposures to the plantation closures in Sabah. Today, the Sabah state government has came out and said that they will decide whether to allow oil palm companies to operate in the MCO period by end of this week. Last month, the state government ordered oil palm companies to close in 6 states of Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Kunak, Semporna and Kalabakan due to Covid-19. This development will be crucial to the oil palm industry as Sabah accounts for 25% of oil palm production (2019).

For the Malaysian companies I am keeping track with a Buy call, most of them are doing quite well. Padini and Lotte Chemical Titan, in particular have surged 7.4% and 8.5% since I started my call on the companies. To date, the portfolio of companies I am keeping track on have a 1.8% return. You can have a look at the companies I am keeping track on in the Google Excel sheet here or the table below.