Maybank IB upgrades property sector to ‘positive’

• However, Maybank IB cautioned that downside risks include weaker-than-expected property sales due to a sluggish economic outlook and policy uncertainties. 

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 6): Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) has upgraded the property sector to “positive” from “neutral”, following a recent sell-down that revealed the sector’s value.

In its research note, Maybank IB highlighted that sector fundamentals remain strong, driven by resilient property sales, particularly in the industrial property segment.

“We believe that the key thematic driver for the sector in the medium term will be investments in data centres, which could accelerate the monetisation of land value.

“Investors should take this opportunity to position themselves ahead of forthcoming developments, such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), (new) data centres, and the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (KL-Singapore HSR),” it said.

However, Maybank IB cautioned that downside risks include weaker-than-expected property sales due to a sluggish economic outlook and policy uncertainties. 

Additionally, stricter lending measures, higher-than-anticipated liquidated ascertained damages, rising building material costs, and labour issues could also affect the rating, it said.

Consequently, the investment bank maintained its ratings on developers under its coverage, except UEM Sunrise Bhd (KL:UEMS), which has been upgraded to a tactical “buy”.

Among its top picks are Eco World Development Group Bhd (KL:ECOWLD), SP Setia Bhd (KL:SPSETIA), Tambun Indah Land Bhd (KL:TAMBUN), and Sime Darby Property Bhd (KL:SIMEPROP).

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