Shares of the following companies had unusual moves in Malaysia trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses and prices are as of the 5 p.m. close in Kuala Lumpur, unless stated otherwise.

The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index was little changed at 1,555.48.

Brokerages: ECM Libra Financial Group Bhd jumped 7.8 per cent to 97 sen, its highest close since October 12, 2007, and K&N Kenanga Holdings Bhd rose 5.7 per cent to 83.5 sen. The Edge weekly newspaper reported that the two stockbroking and investment banking groups were considering a merger, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.

Esso Malaysia Bhd rose 4 per cent to RM4.20, the highest close since May 1998, after the Edge weekly newspaper reported that Boustead Holdings Bhd and its parent Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera may acquire a stake in the local unit of Exxon Mobil Corp. Esso said in a statement it’s unaware of any such plan.

Ho Wah Genting Bhd, a manufacturer of wires and cables, rose 4.1 per cent to 75.5 sen, its highest close since February 18. The company said it received a government license to manufacture ferro silicon at the Samalaju Heavy Industrial Park in Sarawak state. Ferro silicon, an alloy of iron and silicon, is mainly used in steelmaking and foundries, the company said in a statement.

IJM Corp, a builder, climbed 1.6 per cent to RM6.45, the highest since February 22, after the builder and its affiliate won government approval to build the West Coast Highway and extend an existing elevated road.

OSK Holdings Bhd, a stockbroker, added 1.1 per cent to RM1.82, its highest level since February 17. The company said it agreed to buy 48.9 per cent of Thailand’s BFIT Securities Pcl for 1.032 billion baht (US$34 million), according to a company statement. OSK’s OSK Investment Bank Bhd unit will buy the stake from Bangkok First Investment & Trust Pcl, it said.

Sunway Holdings Bhd, a construction and property group, advanced 0.9 per cent to RM2.32. The company said it won a RM22.6 million (US$7.5 million) contract from Perumahan SLG Central Sdn Bhd to carry out piling works for an office and apartment project in Kuala Lumpur, according to a company statement. -- Bloomberg

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