KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Shares of battered small-cap stocks were among the top actives in mixed trading on Monday, as Datuk Dr Yu Kuan Chon-linked counters led decliners while the wider market, including small-cap stocks, saw some reprieve in the morning session.

Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd (SCIB), which has declined over 60% this year, was the most actively traded stock as it rebounded 13 sen or 44.83% to 42 sen after four days of losses.

Some 238.1 million SCIB shares were traded in the morning session, representing 37% of the group’s issued share capital and nearly six times its average trading volume in the last five days.

However, YNH Property Bhd, the second top active counter on Monday, fell 28.5 sen or 33.3% to 57 sen, after touching limit-down again earlier.

The counter saw 195.4 million shares traded, around 37% of the group’s share capital. It was the second biggest loser on Bursa Malaysia, behind another Yu-linked counter Rapid Synergy Bhd (limit-down 83 sen or 29.86% to RM1.95).

The third listed entity linked to Yu, Imaspro Corp Bhd, also extended losses on Monday (down eight sen or 5.44% to RM1.39).

Separately, Jentayu Sustainables Bhd, whose shares price downward decline was frozen by Bursa Securities for Monday, was the fourth top active counter on the bourse. Its trading volume jumped to 20.7% of the group’s share capital, with the counter rising one sen or 2% to 51 sen — although it is still down 60% since the start of the year.

Tracking the small-cap companies, the FBM ACE Index extended its rebound for a second trading day, up 0.47%, tracking the FBM Small Cap Index’ 1.04% increase in the period, and ahead of the FBM KLCI’s 0.37% gain which tracked gains in the US market on Friday.

Across Bursa Malaysia, gainers led decliners with 546 counters, against 385 counters, while 378 counters remained unchanged. Some 2.85 billion shares valued at RM1.63 billion changed hands.

Among sector indices, gainers were led by Utilities (1.96%) Property (1.33%) and Construction (1.13%) while Financial Services slipped (0.12%). 

Other small-cap stocks that were badly hit during last week’s sell-off traded mixed.

Those who extended losses include the third and fourth top losers on Bursa Malaysia, Silver Ridge Holdings Bhd, (down 21 sen or 38.53% to 33.5 sen) and APB Resources Bhd (down 10 sen or 4.95% to RM1.92). Meanwhile, Tanco Holdings Bhd fell half a sen or 1.36% to 36 sen.

Others joined gainers, including Mercury Securities Group Bhd (up eight sen to 44.5 sen), Widad Group Bhd (up three sen to 14 sen), Heitech Padu Bhd (up six sen to 88.5 sen), Artroniq Vhd (up two sen to 30.5 sen), Mestron Holdings Bhd (up two sen to 32.5 sen) and Leform Bhd (up 1.5 sen to 17.5 sen).

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YNH, Rapid Synergy hit limit down again while small-cap sell-off slows in morning trade