Analysts maintain ‘neutral’ market view of the sectorPETALING JAYA: Less money in the pockets of Malaysians will mean that consumer-based companies will continue to feel the impact of lower spending. Analysts remain cautious of consumer-based stocks’ outlook, maintaining their “neutral” market view of the sector. It said retailers will be confronting either margin erosion or passing on the costs to consumers and risking lower sales volume. PCAP 2016 succeeds PCAP 2014 that was passed and implemented in tandem with the GST to deter traders from indiscriminately raising prices of goods or services by profiteering from GST. “We opine consumers will remain selective in their spending in a soft consumer sentiment environment,” HLIB said.

Source: The Star January 11, 2017 23:22 UTC