KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 30): The year 2022 saw a good run in Bursa Malaysia for banking stocks as well as certain commodity and oil and gas-related counters, on the back of rising interest rate and commodity prices environment which encapsulated the theme of the year.

While the FBM KLCI ended the year with a decline of 3.12% to date, several indices beat the benchmark including the Bursa Malaysia Finance Index (6.37%), the Energy Index (11.11%) and the Plantation Index (6.37%).

Meanwhile the obvious losers include the Technology Index (-34.43%) tracking the global tech stocks rout while the Healthcare Index (-24.11%) was dragged down by the sell-off on glove stocks post-pandemic.

KLCI members: AMMB top gainer, Inari market cap falls below RM10b

Among the KLCI components, AMMB Holdings Bhd led the pack with a 30.6% gain or RM1.06 in the year to close at RM4.14 — the highest since March 2019, followed by Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, which climbed 23.7% or RM1.06 to RM4.65. In third place is QL Resources Bhd, which increased 20.6% or 97 sen to RM5.51.

Of the top 10 KLCI gainers, five were banks (see charts), as well as two plantation companies and two related to oil and gas.

Meanwhile, Inari Amerton Bhd was the worst performer in the group. The counter fell 34.8% or RM1.25 to RM2.61, which brought its market capitalisation below RM10 billion — at RM9.74 billion on Dec 30.

Also hit hard this year were telcos — Axiata Group Bhd (down 24.7% or 89 sen to RM3.09) and Maxis Bhd (down 20.6% or 76.5 sen to RM3.84) — followed by MR DIY Group M Bhd (down almost 17% or 38 sen to RM2) and Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd (15.6% or 83 sen lower at RM4.88). Interestingly IHH Healthcare Bhd was also a lead decliner with 15.3% or RM1.05 decline to RM6.22 in the year, although the medical group was expected to be the beneficiary of the reopening of the economy after the pandemic.

RM1 billion to RM10 billion: Hextar, Chin Hin top list; tech and glovemakers plummet

Among companies with market capitalisation of RM1 billion-RM10 billion, two companies in the Hextar group led the top gainers (excluding companies who listed this year).

Hextar Technologies Solutions Bhd shot up 652% or RM14.79 to RM17.06 to become a billion ringgit company with market capitalisation of RM2.19 billion. The stock exchange issued  unusual market activity (UMA) queries on the sharp rise.  

Meanwhile Hextar Industries Bhd rocketed 381% or 61 sen to 77 sen, for a market capitalisation of RM2.12 billion. Its 45.66% shareholder Hextar Holdings Sdn Bhd is currently offering to take over the company at 38.175 sen per share.

Other top gainers in the space include Chin Hin Group Bhd (up 148% or RM1.93 to RM3.23), Berjaya Food Bhd (up nearly 146% or 61.7 sen to RM1.04) and Coastal Contracts Bhd (up 73% or RM1 to RM2.37).

Among the 15 biggest decliners in the category, eight were semiconductor-linked counters and five were related to rubber glove manufacturing.

The decliners were led by Hong Seng Consolidated Bhd (down 83.6% or RM1.125 to 22 sen), Hartalega Holdings Bhd (down 68.5% or RM3.69 to RM1.70) and Top Glove Corp Bhd (down 65% or RM1.685 to 90.5 sen).

Others in this list include S P Setia Bhd (down 53.2% or 68 sen to 60 sen) and Magnum Bhd (down 30% or 55 sen to RM1.29).

RM500 million to RM1 billion: Computer Forms tops list, machinery manufacturers fell

Loss-making Computer Forms M Bhd led the RM500 million to RM1 billion category, as its share price soared 303% or RM1.895 this year to RM2.52.

Pertama Digital Bhd stood in second place (excluding new listings) with a 203% rise or RM1.18 to RM1.76, followed by Shin Yang Shipping Corp Bhd (up 129% or 42 sen to 74.5 sen).

Others whose share price more than doubled this year include Perak transit Bhd (up 120.7% or 70 sen to RM1.28), Kotra Industries Bhd (up 120% or RM3.60 to RM6.60), and Teladan Setia Group Bhd (up 101.7% or 60.5 sen to RM1.20).

Decliners were led by Dufu Technology Corp Bhd (down 572% or RM2.375 to RM1.79), Kobay Technology Bhd (down 54.4% or RM3.245 to RM2.72), and Malaysia Smelting Corp Bhd (down 52% or RM1.65 to RM1.53).

RM100 million to RM500 million: Penny stocks led but notable names also gained

Among the counters in this space, several penny stocks took the spotlight including Propel Global Bhd, whose shares rose from one sen to 20.5 sen, up 1,950% or 19.5 sen.

Comintel Corp Bhd, whose shares resumed trading this year after the entry of a white knight, saw the counter rise 800% or 72 sen to 81 sen, from nine sen when the counter was suspended.

However, in terms of gains in ringgit terms, the gainers were led by Imaspro Corp Bhd (up RM3.42 or 140.7% to RM5.85), followed by Harrisons Holdings M Bhd (up RM2.08 or 45.7% to RM6.63).

Other gainers here include Bonia Corp Bhd (up RM1.385 or 157.08% to RM2.27), Harn Len Corp Bhd (up RM1.35 or 192.86% to RM2.05), and Kein Hing International Bhd (up RM1.10 or 108.46% to RM2.12).

Decliners were led by KESM Industries Bhd (down RM5.17 or 42.41% to RM7.02), Country Heights Holdings Bhd (down RM1.39 or 78.53% to 38 sen), Transocean Holdings Bhd (down RM1.18 or 38.07% to RM1.92) and JHM Consolidation Bhd (down 99 sen or 57.23% to 74 sen).

IPO: ECA, Infomina, Coraza the best-performing listings in 2022

Among the 25 ACE Market companies and five Main Market companies which got listed this year, eight saw their share price more than double as at Dec 30.

The biggest gainers were led by SFP Tech Holdings Bhd, which jumped 500% or RM1.50 to close at RM1.80 in the year, from its initial public offering (IPO) of 30 sen.

This is followed by ECA Integrated Solution Bhd (up 373.5% or 63.5 sen to 80.5 sen), and Infomina Bhd (up 260% or RM1.04 to RM1.44).

However, seven companies ended the year below their IPO price. SIAB Holdings Bhd (down 48.33% or 14.5 sen to 15.5 sen), Senheng New Retail Bhd (down 43.46% or 46.5 sen to 60.5 sen), and Unitrade Industries Bhd (down 34.38% or 11 sen to 21 sen).  The same three counters were also the worst performers in terms of value.