Malaysian stocks seen down on political worries
KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Reuters) - Malaysian stocks are expected to drift lower on Friday, ahead of a planned opposition rally against the recent steep rise in fuel prices.
Lingering concerns that rising inflation will hurt emerging market economies such as Malaysia will also weigh on sentiment.
Malaysian police increased security in the capital to stop the rally expected to draw up to 20,000 people, state media said on Thursday, reflecting fears about protests gathering momentum.
The planned rally is seen as a major political test for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, already fighting for his political survival since the governing coalition's dismal electoral performance in March.
"Investors are worried about domestic political conditions. If the situation gets worse, you may see more sellers stepping in," said an analyst at a local brokerage.
Builder UEM World UEMW.KL could come under pressure after media reported that the group may not be awarded the concession for a multi-billion ringgit bridge project in northern Penang.
On Thursday, the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index .KLSE edged down 0.3 percent to 1,225.54 points.
The June futures index KLIM8 put the index at 1,217 points.
Here are news stories and factors that may affect the Malaysian stock market on Friday.
---------- --MARKET SNAPSHOT @ 00:09 GMT ------------------
INSTRUMENT LAST PCT CHG NET CHG
S&P 500 .SPX 1,339.87 0.33% 4.380 USD/JPY JPY= 107.85 0.01% 0.010 10-YR US TSY YLD US10YT=RR 4.223 -- 0.008 SPOT GOLD XAU= $870.25 0.28% 2.450 US CRUDE CLc1 $136.70 -0.03% -0.040 DOW JONES .DJI 12141.58 0.48% 57.81 ASIA ADRS .BKAS 154.76 0.28% 0.43 ------------------------------------------------------------- > US STOCKS-Market rises on retail sales, BUD deal [.N] > Oil rises on Nigeria strike threat [O/R] > Dollar up on retail data, euro off on rate outlook [USD/] > Bonds slide on unexpectedly strong retail sales [US/] > Gold hits lowest level since early May [GOL/] > SE Asian stocks - Thailand hits 4-mth low, Vietnam up [.SO] > Malaysia's UEM World to sell land for $121 mln [nKLA007658] > Malaysia tightens security ahead of fuel protests [nKLR337388] > Malaysia c.bank to weigh impact of fuel price rise [nSP261719] > Malaysia's Guoco raises Rank stake
[nL12117172] > Palm oil up 0.5 pct, but week fundamentals weigh [nSIN252886] > Malaysia's April annual factory output disappoint [nKLR319717] > Malaysia says in talks to buy more Thai rice [nKLR323719] > Malaysia's Mutiara forms JV for $237 mln projects [nKLR15549] > Malaysian Airlines eyes hike in fuel surcharge [nKLA007656] > Malaysia PM faces bigger protests,dissent over fuel[nSP122784]
MALAYSIA'S UEM GROUP WILL NOT MANAGE SECOND PENANG BRIDGE- PAPER
The government has decided against awarding a concession to UEM Group Bhd to manage the Second Penang Bridge and collect toll from motorists, the Edge Financial Daily reported on Friday, citing a local news website. (Reporting by Soo Ai Peng; Editing by Louise Heavens)
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