KUALA LUMPUR (April 11): Despite lingering external headwinds, retail investors should focus on domestic catalysts, particularly in the oil and gas (O&G) and construction sectors, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research.

"Apart from that, with dovish expectations, we believe investors may focus on high dividend yielders moving forward," the research house said in a strategy note for the second quarter of 2019 today.

Fuelled by higher Brent crude oil prices and a recovery in local construction job flows in the first quarter of 2019, HLIB Research's top picks for the quarter are Sapura Energy Bhd and EA Technique (M) Bhd in the O&G sector, as well as construction stocks Kimlun Corp Bhd, Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd, TRC Synergy Bhd and GFM Services Bhd.

Export-oriented companies may also do well as the ringgit has been weakening against the US dollar this week, HLIB Research said, targeting a level of 4.15 against the greenback.

"We like Supermax Corp Bhd in this segment," it said.

Meanwhile, its top picks for defensive, high yielding plays are DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Bhd and Uchi Technologies Bhd.